What is BuildUp Global?

BuildUp Global is an education company, founded by alumni from Stanford, Duke Fuqua, LSE, NYU, and UCL, and recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, UCL Innovation & Enterprise, Duke I&E and UCL EdTech Labs. BuildUp runs structured, mentor-guided programs with schools and individuals that put students on real internships with real companies, alongside research, personal projects, and social impact work.

Any student worldwide, split into two divisions by grade: Junior (grades 7–9, ages 12–14) and Senior (grades 10–12, ages 15–18). Each division is judged separately, so you're only ranked against peers at your own level.

Do I need prior experience in the role I choose?

No. You don't need prior experience. The challenges have all the background and context you need.

What kind of roles are in the challenge?

48 roles across 31 industries ranging from Computer Scientist, Mechanical Engineer, Startup Founder, and Lawyer to Art Director and Marine Biologist. Whatever you're into, there's likely a role for it.

Do me and my team get to pick different roles, or does the whole team do the same one?

As a team, you choose one role together and work through the challenge as a unit by splitting responsibilities across teammates. You're not locked into a single option though; you'll choose from the full suite of 48 roles across 31 industries when the challenge drops.

What does registration cost?

The registration fees are $35 per student if you're competing individually, $25 per student if you register as a team.

How big can my team be?

3–5 students per team. You can also compete individually if you'd rather have full ownership of your own submission.

How much time do I get to solve my case?

Individuals and teams get two weeks to complete and submit your challenge.

What will the final showcase be like?

If you're shortlisted as a Global Finalist, you'll pitch your work live in front of an international judging panel.

The Champion Team (or individual) in each division gets the 8-week internship, recommendation letters, and a completion certificate. Global Finalists who don't win still get a Global Finalist Certificate and recognition across BuildUp Global's platforms.

Are these real internships?

Yes. The Champion Teams and winning individuals earn an 8-week internship with a BuildUp Global partner company, in the industry of their choice, plus professional recommendation letters and completion certificates. These are internships with real companies.

What have past internships looked like?

Past internship work has included researching a subscription-based legal resource model for a Dubai-based legal advisory firm, conducting market research for a biotech startup treating industrial wastewater with engineered yeast, designing and testing a sales chatbot for a UK sports-tech company, and supporting expansion strategy for a fintech startup that rounds up spare change into mutual funds. Every project comes with a defined scope, real deliverables, and mentor oversight.

What if we don't win?

Everyone who completes the challenge, whether you win or not, gets an Official Competition Certificate, a Professional Performance Report, and personalised written feedback.

Does this help with college applications?

Yes. BuildUp's students have gotten admitted to Harvard, Columbia, Duke, LSE, UC Berkeley, Oxford, and dozens of other top universities, with $22M+ in scholarships secured along the way. Participating in competitions is a great way of showing how a student performs, and this one lets you show that on a global stage against peers from different countries.

BuildUp Global Internship Competition

BuildUp Global

Internship Competition

About the Challenge

Global Internship Competition

BuildUp's Global Internship Competition brings together ambitious students from around the world to compete through immersive professional challenges across 48 career roles spanning 31 industries.

The highest-performing teams progress to the Global Finals, where one Junior and one Senior Champion Team are crowned — and earn an 8-week internship, extending the competition into real professional experience.

Student working through a Mirai professional challenge on laptop and notes

What You Receive

Champions leave with an internship.

Grand prize

8-week
internship

Champion Teams & Individuals

There will be individual and team winners across both categories. Each individual and team champion will secure an 8-week internship with a BuildUp Global partner company.

01
Guaranteed 8-week internship for the entire team, in the industry of their choice
02
Guaranteed 8-week internship for the individual winner in an industry of their choice
03
Professional recommendation letters & certificates
04
Internship completion certificates

Everyone leaves with something.

01 — 03

Every Participant

Whether you make the final round or not, everyone who completes the professional challenge receives:

Official Competition Certificate
Professional Performance Report
Personalised written feedback

Global Finalists

Teams and individuals shortlisted for the Global Finals also receive:

Global Finalist Certificate
An invitation to compete in the Live Finals
Recognition across BuildUp Global platforms

Runners-Up & Standouts

Recognition doesn't stop at first place:

Runner-up certificates
Special free access to other BuildUp Programs
Priority consideration for future internships

Inside the Challenges

Every professional challenge is a real-world scenario.

Students receive background information, supporting resources and a workplace brief, then respond through analysis, recommendations, presentations or strategic decisions — depending on the profession they've chosen.

Architecture and Interior Design

Architect

Join a design studio as a Junior Bio-Architect and reimagine a community centre as a building that behaves like a living organism.

Biology and Life Sciences

Biomedical Engineer

A 3D-bioprinted heart valve just failed its stress test. Analyse the failure and commit to a design direction before the review board meets.

Law and Public Policy

Criminal Lawyer

No weapon, no eyewitness, no footage. As junior prosecutor, build a closing argument from circumstantial evidence alone.

Hospitality and Tourism

Travel Consultant

A family of four wants a four-day trip on a strict budget, and everyone wants something different. Design an itinerary that works.

Computer Science and AI

Human Centered AI Designer

A self-driving car failed to detect a pedestrian at night. Uncover why the system failed and propose a safer redesign.

Marketing and Branding

Social Media Manager

A pet lifestyle brand needs its Christmas campaign to cut through the noise. Build a festive, on-brand, conversion-driving campaign.

40+more roles· explore all 48

31 industries · one global stage

Across 31 industries

From law and biotech to fashion, AI, and finance — every path is in play.

Agriculture and Food Systems
Architecture and Interior Design
Biology and Life Sciences
Chemistry and Material Science
Creative Writing and Literature
Engineering
Environment and Sustainability
Gaming and Interactive Media
History and Archaeology
International Relations
Law and Public Policy
Mathematics and Data Science
Performing Arts
Psychology and Human Behaviour
Social Impact and NGO
Supply Chain and Logistics

Animal Science and Zoology
Art and Design
Business and Finance
Computer Science and AI
Education
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Fashion and Lifestyle
Health and Medicine
Hospitality and Tourism
Journalism
Marketing and Branding
Media and Communications
Physics and Space Science
Real Estate and Urban Development
Sports and Fitness

48 Roles to Choose From

Every path is open to you.

Every role runs in both the Junior and Senior division. One Champion Team and Individual is crowned per division. You do not need to pick your role at registration — you'll select it when the challenge drops.

Motorsport Operations and Strategy AnalystInvestment BankerMarine BiologistSports Coach and TrainerDiplomatPlanetary ScientistActorFood TechnologistTech LawyerTort LawBroadcast JournalistCorporate LawyerCosmetic ChemistFashion DesignerGeneticistSocial Media ManagerMotorsport Operations and Strategy AnalystInvestment BankerMarine BiologistSports Coach and TrainerDiplomatPlanetary ScientistActorFood TechnologistTech LawyerTort LawBroadcast JournalistCorporate LawyerCosmetic ChemistFashion DesignerGeneticistSocial Media Manager

Forensic PsychologistMechanical EngineerSustainability AnalystRetail BuyerWildlife RehabilitatorArchaeologistPublic Health SpecialistData ScientistCurriculum DesignerBrand StrategistGame DesignerLogistics CoordinatorAerospace EngineerSports Marketing SpecialistDoctorEconomistForensic PsychologistMechanical EngineerSustainability AnalystRetail BuyerWildlife RehabilitatorArchaeologistPublic Health SpecialistData ScientistCurriculum DesignerBrand StrategistGame DesignerLogistics CoordinatorAerospace EngineerSports Marketing SpecialistDoctorEconomist

Social EntrepreneurUrban Planner and DesignerTravel ConsultantAdvocacy SpecialistNews AnchorInterior DesignerCybersecurity AnalystOrganizational PsychologistStartup FounderArt DirectorEditorBusiness ConsultantCriminal LawyerHuman Centered AI DesignerArchitectBiomedical EngineerSocial EntrepreneurUrban Planner and DesignerTravel ConsultantAdvocacy SpecialistNews AnchorInterior DesignerCybersecurity AnalystOrganizational PsychologistStartup FounderArt DirectorEditorBusiness ConsultantCriminal LawyerHuman Centered AI DesignerArchitectBiomedical Engineer

Browse all roles

48 of 48 roles shown

#	Role	Industry
01	Motorsport Operations and Strategy Analyst	Business and Finance
02	Forensic Psychologist	Psychology and Human Behaviour
03	Social Entrepreneur	Entrepreneurship and Innovation
04	Investment Banker	Business and Finance
05	Mechanical Engineer	Engineering
06	Urban Planner and Designer	Real Estate and Urban Development
07	Marine Biologist	Biology and Life Sciences
08	Sustainability Analyst	Environment and Sustainability
09	Travel Consultant	Hospitality and Tourism
10	Sports Coach and Trainer	Sports and Fitness
11	Retail Buyer	Fashion and Lifestyle
12	Advocacy Specialist	Social Impact and NGO
13	Diplomat	International Relations
14	Wildlife Rehabilitator	Animal Science and Zoology
15	News Anchor	Media and Communications
16	Planetary Scientist	Physics and Space Science
17	Archaeologist	History and Archaeology
18	Interior Designer	Architecture and Interior Design
19	Actor	Performing Arts
20	Public Health Specialist	Health and Medicine
21	Cybersecurity Analyst	Computer Science and AI
22	Food Technologist	Agriculture and Food Systems
23	Data Scientist	Mathematics and Data Science
24	Organizational Psychologist	Psychology and Human Behaviour
25	Tech Lawyer	Law and Public Policy
26	Curriculum Designer	Education
27	Startup Founder	Entrepreneurship and Innovation
28	Tort Law	Law and Public Policy
29	Brand Strategist	Marketing and Branding
30	Art Director	Art and Design
31	Broadcast Journalist	Journalism
32	Game Designer	Gaming and Interactive Media
33	Editor	Creative Writing and Literature
34	Corporate Lawyer	Law and Public Policy
35	Logistics Coordinator	Supply Chain and Logistics
36	Business Consultant	Business and Finance
37	Cosmetic Chemist	Chemistry and Material Science
38	Aerospace Engineer	Engineering
39	Criminal Lawyer	Law and Public Policy
40	Fashion Designer	Fashion and Lifestyle
41	Sports Marketing Specialist	Sports and Fitness
42	Human Centered AI Designer	Computer Science and AI
43	Geneticist	Biology and Life Sciences
44	Doctor	Health and Medicine
45	Architect	Architecture and Interior Design
46	Social Media Manager	Marketing and Branding
47	Economist	Business and Finance
48	Biomedical Engineer	Biology and Life Sciences

Scroll the table to browse · search or filter to find a role

Competition at a glance

Format, eligibility, platform, divisions, and pricing — the essentials before you enter.

Key details

Five essentials · built for ambitious students worldwide

Format

Individual or team-based, fully virtual

Compete on your own or with a team of 3–5 classmates. Every round runs online — so you can enter from anywhere without travel, campus limits, or schedule conflicts.

Eligibility

Grades 7 to 12

High school students from any country can register. If you're ambitious, curious, and ready to take on real professional challenges, you're eligible to compete.

Platform

Mirai's proprietary professional immersion simulator

Work through immersive role-based scenarios on Mirai — BuildUp's professional immersion platform — designed to mirror how real professionals work across industries.

Divisions

Junior and Senior, judged separately

Enter the Junior or Senior division based on your level. Each track is judged on its own, so you compete fairly against peers at a similar stage.

Cost

$35 per student (individual) · $25 per student (team)

Keep entry accessible: $35 if you compete solo, or $25 per student when you register as a team. One fee covers the full competition experience.

Divisions

Two divisions. Every student finds their level.

Whichever division you're in, you get access to the exact same 48 professional roles.

Junior Division

Ages 12–14

Equivalent to Grades 7–9

Compete across all 48 professional roles
Judged and ranked separately from the Senior division
Global Finals: Saturday, August 22

Senior Division

Ages 15–18

Equivalent to Grades 10–12

Compete across all 48 professional roles
Judged and ranked separately from the Junior division
Global Finals: Sunday, August 23

Competition Timeline & Important Dates

Four stages, from registration to Global Finals.

Students presenting their professional challenge work

One Junior Champion Team. One Senior Champion Team.

July 13 – August 2

August 3 – August 16

Following Round One

August 22 & 23

July 13 – August 2

Stage One

Registration

Choose your professional role and complete your registration, individually or as a team.

August 3 – August 16

Stage Two

Professional Challenge

Get full access to Mirai and your chosen role's professional immersion. Complete the challenge and submit before the deadline.

Following Round One

Stage Three

Global Finalists Announced

The highest-scoring teams and individuals from around the world advance to the Global Finals.

August 22 & 23

Stage Four

Global Finals

Finalists present their thinking before an international judging panel.

Students collaborating as a team during the competition

Registration Options

Compete individually or as a team.

Both paths compete for the same Champion Team title — choose whichever fits how you want to work.

Compete as a Team

$25/ student

Best for clubs, classmates, and friend groups

Split responsibilities across teammates
Team size: 3–5 students
Compete to secure a team internship

Compete Individually

$35/ student

Best for solo achievers who want full ownership

Full ownership of your own submission
No coordination or scheduling needed
Compete to secure an internship among our Squad program

Previous Challenge Participants

Hear from students who competed — and walked away with real outcomes.

“The BuildUp immersions taught me valuable hard and soft skills that I could apply to my field of interest, business. It was exciting to work with my team to tackle the given challenge in our area of interest.”

A hands-on immersion that turned interest in business into real teamwork and applied skills.

Mirriam Mutasa

Pestalozzi Education Center · Zambia

BuildUp Immersion

16,000+

students engaged to date

120+

partner organisations

countries represented

Video stories

Taking our most loved on-campus program virtual.

Student voices and footage from past BuildUp on-campus immersion to internship programs. This year's Global Internship Challenge is 100% virtual, so you can compete from anywhere in the world.

Manasi SharmaTestimonial

A student voice from a BuildUp Mirai Career Day.

1/8

Students collaborating through BuildUp Global programmes

About BuildUp

BuildUp Global is an experiential education company with one of the world's largest school-to-industry ecosystems. We help students explore real careers through internships, research, and immersive professional learning, led by a team of Stanford, Duke, UCL, NYU, and LSE alumni.

Through our programs, we're helping schools rethink career exploration by giving students meaningful workplace experience before they choose a path. The Global Internship Challenge is our next chapter: students worldwide competing through real professional challenges to earn an actual internship.

Learn more about BuildUp Global→

30 Under 30 Asia

Our founders have been recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list.

Founders & mentors from

Students Supported

Students engaged through BuildUp Global programmes worldwide.

Scholarships Secured

$0M+

University scholarships secured by BuildUp students.

Internships Facilitated

Real workplace placements connecting students with partner organisations.

Partner Organisations

Companies and institutions across 28 countries in the BuildUp ecosystem.

Outcomes

BuildUp student admits

Our students progress to globally respected universities through deliverable-focused, world-class projects, rigorous mentorship, and unique profiles.

Brown University
NYU
Carnegie Mellon University
UC Berkeley
Duke University
UCLA
Harvard University
University College London

King’s College London
University of Oxford
London Business School
University of Warwick
LSE
USC
NUS

Our Student Community

Schools across six continents

Our students come from schools across six continents. When you join the competition, you are working alongside an incredible competitive group of peers.