DECA Challenges (Corporate Challenges – High School)
Location:
Virtual (online participation)
Cost:
Free to participate for active DECA members
Contest Date:
Corporate Challenges take place at different points throughout the school year. The Virtual Business Challenge includes two rounds—Round 1 is held from mid-October to late October, and Round 2 runs from mid-January to late January. Finalists compete at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in April or May.
Application Deadlines:
To be eligible, students must be registered DECA members by November 15. The final eligibility deadline for ICDC participation is February 15. For the Virtual Business Challenge, team confirmation for ICDC is typically due in early March.
Eligibility:
Open to high school students in grades 9 through 12 who are active members of a DECA chapter.
DECA Challenges offer high school students the chance to solve real-world business problems through virtual case studies and simulations. These competitions are hosted in partnership with major corporations like AT&T, Marriott, and Intuit, and allow students to showcase skills in entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. The Virtual Business Challenge simulates real-world business operations in a competitive online format, giving students the opportunity to qualify for DECA’s flagship conference, ICDC. Top performers may earn scholarships and national recognition.
Please note: This information is compiled from publicly available sources and may change from year to year. Dates, locations, fees, and other details are subject to updates—please verify all information directly on the official competition website before applying.