WORLDS 2026 GSSC EXPERIENCE
As part of the GSSC journey, students will gain mentorship from entrepreneurial leaders, refine their ventures and pitches, and prepare for the 2026 Global Student Startup Competition in Seoul, South Korea centered on the theme “The Next Generation of Media and Entertainment.”
Timeline
University Selection Deadline
Mentor Kick-Off
Team Selection Deadline
Student Kick-Off
Competition
Host University
Ewha Womans University
We extend our sincere gratitude to Ewha University for their generous support of GSSC 2026. From hosting our competition on campus to preparing meals for the bootcamp and welcoming us with remarks from the university president, their hospitality exemplifies a true spirit of collaboration and learning!
Participating Universities
International Universities:
University of Southern California
University of California, Berkeley
Harvard University
Cornell University
Aalto University
Stanford University
Oxford University
Korean Universities:
Ewha University
KAIST University
Postech University
Korea University
Mentor Workshops
March – May 2026
Once universities and student teams are finalized, each student team will be paired with entrepreneurial experts to mentor them throughout the independent work period leading up to their in-Seoul experience.
Mentors will meet with students once every two weeks to provide feedback and deeper insights to guide the development of a working prototype, business deck, and 10-minute presentation in English.
Seoul Pitch Bootcamp
May 17-18, 2026
The Pitch Bootcamp is a two-day educational, team-building, and networking activities for the student teams.
Guided by mentors and entrepreneur experts who will provide mentorship and enagage in interactive workshops, such as:
- Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch
- Do’s and Don’ts of Pitching
- Getting Stage-Ready
- Tackling Q&A Mastering Clarity & Confidence
- Networking at ALC
May 17, 2026
Check-in & free time
May 18, 2026
Opening ceremony
Entrepreneurial curriculum
Mentor workshop
Overnight working sessions
May 19, 2026
Preliminary Pitch Round
Judges deliberations
Planned free day in Korea
Finish Ambassador dinner
Pitch Rounds
May 19-21, 2026
PRELIMINARY ROUND
May 19, 2026
Teams will present their venture to a panel of judges.
After the Preliminary Round, teams will embark on an afternoon/evening of Seoul Immersion Activities.
The top four teams selected by the local judges to advance to the Final Round will be announced by 8PM
The top four teams will have one day to work closely with mentors to prepare for the Final Round.
FINAL ROUND
May 21, 2026
The top four or five teams will pitch to a live audience of ALC attendees and a panel of distinguished judges.
There may be opportunities for different winner categories.
The Final Round may be held in the Main ALC Conference Hall.
Asian Leadership Conference
Students will travel to Seoul, South Korea, from
May 17 – May 21, 2026.
Upon arrival, students will become immersed in Seoul City:
- Welcome Event hosted by local university students
- GSSC Group Dinner
- After-Dinner Activities
These social events aim to foster camaraderie and cultural exchange among the participants, setting the stage for collaboration and networking throughout the competition.
Sponsor Info Coming Soon
Mentors & Speakers
Head of Programming Operations at TikTok
Senior Manager & Product Management at LiveNation
Data Scientist at Duolingo
CEO of
LendAPI
Senior Product Manager at Disney+
Prize Info Coming Soon
Rubric
Relevance to the Theme:
“Next Generation of Media and Entertainment” Teams should ensure their projects clearly demonstrate how they are redefining the next generation of media and entertainment experiences.
Global Impact:
The project is evaluated on its ability to drive global social and economic impact by addressing societal challenges, fostering inclusivity, ensuring sustainability, and promoting growth through job creation and market expansion.
Product Feasibility and Development
Assesses the practicality of the product concept, development roadmap, and resource availability for effective execution.
Market Traction and Validation
Measures the project’s ability to gain user interest and validate demand through initial market engagement.
Team Presentation
Evaluates the team’s clarity, organization, and ability to present the project compellingly to diverse audiences and stakeholders.