About this opportunity
The thinkcell Global Case Competition is back for its third edition, and this time the Fall 2026 round invites student teams from universities anywhere in the world to solve a real world growth challenge. The whole competition happens online, so a team in Lagos competes on the same footing as a team in Berlin.
Teams of three to five currently enrolled students register by 16 October 2026 and choose one of two tracks, Undergraduate or Graduate, which covers MBA and PhD students too. Members can come from the same or different fields of study, and even different universities. A faculty advisor is optional but encouraged, and it has no effect on judging.
The competition runs in three rounds. The case is released on 19 October, first round submissions close on 26 October, regional finalists are announced on 2 November, pitch videos are due on 5 November, global finalists are revealed on 9 November and the final takes place on 13 November 2026. Winning teams share a prize pool of $14,000, and every participant receives a free thinkcell licence plus access to thinkcell Academy, live workshops on data storytelling and a library of video tutorials.
Registration is free and is completed through the official team form. A short one slide screener accompanies the registration, takes no more than thirty minutes, and confirms your team can access the software.
What you receive
- A share of $14,000 in prizes for winning teams
- A free thinkcell licence for every participant
- Access to thinkcell Academy for presentation and productivity skills
- Live workshops on data storytelling and mastering thinkcell
- Video tutorial library and preparation webinars
- Certificates and global visibility for strong performances
Who can apply
- Open to student teams worldwide, with university location selected from a list that includes Nigeria and other African countries
- Every team member must be currently enrolled at a higher education institution
- Teams must have three to five members
- Two separate tracks: Undergraduate, and Graduate including MBA and PhD students
- Teams may mix students from different fields of study or different universities
- One registration submission per team
Who should not apply
- Prospective students who are not currently enrolled cannot compete
- Each team submits one registration only
Documents to prepare
- Team details and each member's information, including academic email addresses
- Faculty advisor details, optional but encouraged
- A one slide screener connected to the main case, completed within about thirty minutes
How to apply
- Form a team of three to five currently enrolled students and agree which track you will enter
- Open the official team registration form and complete the team information section
- Complete the one slide screener to confirm access to thinkcell and finish your registration
- Register before 16 October 2026 at 23:59 UTC minus 12
- Join one of the free kick off webinars in October 2026 to prepare for the rounds
Selection process
- The case is released to registered teams on 19 October 2026
- Round 1 submissions close on 26 October 2026 at 23:59 UTC minus 12
- Regional finalists are announced on 2 November 2026
- Round 2 pitch videos are due on 5 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC minus 12
- Global finalists are announced on 9 November 2026
- The global final takes place on 13 November 2026, with the time to be confirmed
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Who can take part?
Teams of three to five students currently enrolled at higher education institutions anywhere in the world, in either the Undergraduate or the Graduate track.
Does it cost anything?
No. Participation is free and the competition is fully online.
Is thinkcell software provided?
Yes. Every participant receives a free thinkcell licence for the competition.
Can our team mix universities?
Yes. Teams may include students from the same or different fields of study and universities.
When does registration close?
On 16 October 2026 at 23:59 UTC minus 12.
Important disclaimer
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