Rising Global Innovators: The 2026 De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award Finalists
December 15, 2025
The De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award is one of the most prestigious honors in JA network and the only global award for the JA Company Program. Each year, the first-place winners from JA’s six regional Company of the Year competitions (known as Company of the Year, Generation E, Young Entrepreneurs Competition, and FutureBound) go head-to-head for a chance to be named the world’s top JA student company. The winning team receives awards, plus US$15,000, educational opportunities, and more.
Founded in 2021 by Ralph and Maria de la Vega, the award recognizes excellence in entrepreneurship among young JA entrepreneurs. Each year, a global panel of judges from JA boards, alumni, staff, and partners selects the winner based on a detailed review of each company’s executive summary and promotional video.
Meet the 2026 Finalists
These student companies have already risen above thousands of peers to become leaders in their regions—a major achievement in itself—and stand among the best youth entrepreneurial ventures in the world. Being named a finalist isn’t just an accolade; it’s a milestone in each young entrepreneur’s journey. Now they have a chance to shine on a global platform that could accelerate their business ideas and open doors to funding, mentorship, and lifelong learning opportunities
JA Asia Pacific: Zester, JA Hong Kong SAR—China
Zester promotes awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals through its self-named card game and sustainability workshops.
Junior Achievement USA: InnovaQuest, JA of Southeastern Pennsylvania
InnovaQuest’s Cards of Creativity is a unique card game designed to ignite imagination and build emotional and cognitive creativity through storytelling, engineering, and the arts.
JA Europe: VerifyID, Fonden for Entreprenørskab (JA Denmark)
VerifyID specializes in age and identity verification solutions with smart ID scanning technologies for online and physical businesses.
INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA: EcoRock, INJAZ Palestine
EcoRock transforms rock wool, an industrial byproduct, into a growth medium for hydroponic farming that reduces waste, saves water, and enhances food security.
JA Americas: Sacky JA, JA Ecuador
Sacky JA created sustainable lunch bags made from recycled plastic bottles. The bags, feature Ecuadorian animals and illustrations that promote healthy eating habits and environmental awareness.
JA Africa: SmartGenix, JA Nigeria
SmartGenix’s precision agriculture drone reduces costs, saves time and labor, and enhances climate action through sustainable, efficient farming practices.
Looking Ahead
As the final regional champions are named this fall, we’ll update this story with the remaining finalists and share their inspiring business ideas. The De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award highlights not only standout products and services, but also the optimism, resilience, and perseverance of young people working to shape the world through innovation.