About CYE：

The Creative Young Entrepreneur (CYE) program is an international competition with a single main objective: To motivate and inspire enterprising young leaders. The core of the CYE program is for young leaders to showcase their up and running businesses. 

CYE challenges young entrepreneurs to critically and creatively think by requiring them to provide an in depth business plan, their marketing position, and strategic goals on how their venture will begin to earn a profit and become sustainable, all the while providing the opportunity of having that plan reviewed by delegated experts.

Our Vision: 

Our vision is simple yet profound: to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs to transform their businesses and drive positive change in the world.

We believe that entrepreneurship is the driving force behind innovation, economic growth, and social progress.

Through the CYE Competition, we aim to identify, nurture, and support the most promising entrepreneurs on their journey to success.

Eligibility：

•            Open to both JCI members and non-members. 

•            Businesses must be active for a minimum of 3 months

•            Applicants must be 18-40 years old

How to Apply:

1.          Complete and submit this registration form along with the application fee.


2.          The application form will be sent to you upon completion of registration. Please fill it out in English.


3.          Provide a detailed business plan, including market analysis, strategy, and financial data.


4.          Upload a one-minute pitch video in English (horizontal format).


5.          Attach a high-quality headshot photograph (300 dpi). 


Registration Fee：

HKD 800 per application 

*Registration Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. 

Application and Award Competition Process and Timeline：

Opening of Applications:

Saturday, March 1 2025

Deadline for Applications:

Monday, April 7 2025, 23:59 GMT

Preliminary Round:

A jury of experts will carefully review all submitted applications and select ten contestants to participate in the Final round. The selection will be based on the quality of the business plan and pitch video submitted. Please note that the number of finalists may be adjusted at the discretion of the jury members based on the quality of the submissions received.

Final Round:

Sunday, April 27 2025

Each finalist will have three minutes to pitch their projects, followed by a six-minute question-and-answer session with the judges.

*Late applications will not be considered.

Language：

All application forms, pitch video will only be accepted in ENGLISH since this will be the pitching language.

Prizes：

1st place

•            Cash prize HKD 10,000 

1st 2rd 3rd place  

•            FREE 2025 JCI Asia-Pacific Area Conference (ASPAC) Registration Fee 

•            FREE Application Fee to the 2025 JCI Asia-Pacific Area Conference (ASPAC) CYE Program 

•            FREE 3-minute company promotional video

•            JCI Hong Kong, China Website, social media and online digital display advertisement

*All Final Round participants will receive a certificate.


CYE Competition Guidelines：

Accuracy and Honesty

All business plans, pitches, and presentations must accurately represent the venture. Any misrepresentation will lead to disqualification.

Competition and Differentiation

Your business proposal should clearly differentiate your business from competitors. The clarity and descriptiveness of your proposal are crucial and can significantly enhance your chances of becoming a finalist. In the business world, this distinctiveness is essential to attract and inspire stakeholders to support your

venture.

Eligibility Restrictions

The project bearer cannot be a current member of the JCIHK China Board of Directors, and paid staff members are ineligible to participate.

Submission Deadline

The application form must be submitted by the deadline specified by JCIHK. Late applications will not be accepted.

Language Requirement

All application forms and presentations must be in English, which will also be the language used for pitching.

Submission Limit

Each individual or company is allowed to submit only ONE application, and the final competition must be attended by the applicant in person.


*These guidelines are designed to ensure a fair and impactful competition, encouraging innovation and integrity among participants.

Judging Criteria：

Community or Social Impact and Sustainability (15 points)

Evaluates how the business benefits society and its long-term sustainability.

Business and International Impact (25 points)

Assesses the business's economic potential and scalability, both locally and internationally.

Innovation and Originality (20 points)

Measures the uniqueness and creative disruption of the business idea.

Leadership Ability (20 points)

Rates the entrepreneur's leadership skills and their ability to drive the business towards success.

Clarity and Quality of Presentation (20 points)

Judges the effectiveness and clarity of the pitch, including responses during Q&A sessions.



Download JCI Hong Kong, China Creative Young Entrepreneur Toolkit

APPENDIX Online Form Questionnaire

JCIHK CYE Competition Registration form

https://forms.gle/GPAyASYPCs8e9fxJA