Following the success of last year’s challenge, Koa Academy’s 2026 Online Entrepreneurship Challenge once again invited students between the ages of 9 and 16 to step into the world of business, creativity, and real-world problem-solving.
Over five weeks, students worked through the process of identifying a problem, developing a solution, testing their ideas, refining their business models, and learning how to present their thinking with confidence.
Through weekly live coaching sessions, online coursework, and mentor support, students were encouraged to think critically, solve problems creatively, listen to feedback, and take action, even when the process felt challenging.
By the end of the challenge, these young entrepreneurs had not only developed business ideas but had also practised the kind of skills that matter far beyond a single project: resilience, communication, problem-solving, collaboration, confidence, and courage.
Did you know? The challenge was adapted from the Business Expo project that Koa students take part in each year, giving students beyond Koa the chance to experience a taste of project-based learning in action. It reflects something we care deeply about at Koa: creating opportunities for students to take what they are learning and apply it in meaningful, practical ways.
Pitch Day
Pitch Day was a chance for our finalists to share what they had built, reflect on what they had learned, and present their ideas to a panel of judges.
From products designed to support children with ADHD, to proudly South African engineering kits, bug education boxes, refurbished e-waste devices, gluten-free treats, and shoe-cleaning services, the range of ideas was both thoughtful and inspiring.
What stood out most was not only the creativity of the business ideas, but the growth behind them. These students had taken their ideas seriously. They had spoken to potential customers, tested their thinking, made changes, handled setbacks, and pushed through moments that felt uncomfortable.
That is what made this challenge so powerful.
Meet the 2026 Winners
Junior Category
Ryan Wagner: Ryan’s Bug Class Co-op - Junior Winner
Ryan’s Bug Class Co-op brought together his love of bugs and his passion for helping others learn. His offering included Bug Fact Cards, Bug Surprise Boxes, and online classes. For Ryan, the challenge helped him realise that something he genuinely loves could become a real business.
“The Entrepreneurship Challenge helped me realise that my love for bugs could become a real business. Seeing families buy my Bug Fact Cards and Bug Surprise Boxes gave me the confidence to believe that other kids can learn to love the unloved things too.”
Ryan’s idea is a wonderful example of what can happen when students are encouraged to pay attention to their interests and ask, “Could this become something more?”
Amani Alli: Busy Bee Pads - Junior Runner-Up
Amani created Busy Bee Pads, a business that makes fidget pads for children with ADHD. For Amani, one of the biggest highlights was seeing an idea become something tangible.
“The most rewarding part of the challenge was turning an idea into a real product and making my first sale. Knowing that people in my community were willing to support something I created showed me that age should never stop you from pursuing an idea.”
This is exactly what real-world learning is about: helping students see that their ideas can move beyond the page and into the world around them.
Senior Category
Caleb and Simeon de Greef: InventZA - Senior Winners
Caleb and Simeon developed InventZA, a proudly South African business offering engineering boxes. Working together came with its own set of challenges, but it also created one of the biggest learning opportunities of the process.
Simeon shared:
“This challenge taught me the importance of teamwork. We faced many obstacles and didn’t always agree, but in the end, we were able to come to an agreement and work through it together.”
For Caleb, the challenge opened up a whole new way of thinking about what is possible.
“The most rewarding part of this challenge was making it to the finals and learning something I never thought was possible – starting my own business!”
Their experience is such a good reminder that entrepreneurship is rarely just about the idea. It is also about working with others, making decisions, navigating disagreements, and learning as you go.
Aiden Getkate: Aiden’s Epic Work - Senior Runner-Up
Aiden’s business, Aiden’s Epic Work, focuses on using e-waste to refurbish devices. In a world where technology is constantly changing, Aiden’s idea speaks to both innovation and sustainability. Through the challenge, he began to see the potential of his business more clearly.
“I enjoyed learning new things about business. It made me realise my business has big potential.”
Sometimes, the most powerful part of a challenge like this is that students begin to see their ideas differently. What may have started as a simple concept becomes something with possibility, purpose, and room to grow.
Why This Challenge Matters
At Koa, we believe that learning should prepare students for the real world. That does not only mean covering the curriculum or completing tasks. It means giving students opportunities to think, create, test, reflect, collaborate, communicate, and build.
The Entrepreneurship Challenge does exactly that.
Students are not simply learning about business in theory. They are identifying real problems, speaking to real people, thinking about real customers, and learning how to present their ideas to others. They are also experiencing what it feels like when things do not go exactly as planned, and discovering that setbacks are part of the process.
That kind of learning builds confidence in a very different way. It helps students realise that they can take action, solve problems, and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
It also shows what is possible in an online learning environment. Students from different places can come together, learn from experienced coaches and mentors, connect with peers, and take part in a high-quality, practical learning experience without being limited by location.
For us, that matters deeply.
A Huge Thank You
A challenge like this is only possible because of the people who give their time, energy, expertise, and encouragement to our students.
A huge thank you to our guest speakers, mentors, judges, and sponsors for helping make the 2026 Online Entrepreneurship Challenge such a meaningful experience. Your input gave our students the chance to learn from people who understand what it means to build, lead, create, problem-solve, and keep going.
To every student who took part, well done. Whether you made it to the finals or completed the challenge as part of the wider group, we are so proud of the courage, creativity, and effort you brought to this experience.
You showed up. You tried. You learned. You built. And that is worth celebrating.
Real-World Learning That Keeps Growing
The 2026 Online Entrepreneurship Challenge reminded us once again why real-world learning matters.
Most importantly, students began to see themselves differently: as problem-solvers, creators, business owners, collaborators, and people who can make an impact.
And we cannot wait to see what they build next.
