Competition rules
These rules keep Red Ocean Competition fair, credible, and valuable for every student competitor across all four championships. Read them carefully before you begin.
Eligibility
Red Ocean Competition is open to middle and high school students. Participants must be currently enrolled in a recognized academic program and meet the age requirements for their championship. Homeschooled students who meet equivalent criteria are welcome to enter.
Student ownership of work
Students must be the primary creators, thinkers, builders, communicators, or performers behind their submission. Mentors, teachers, parents, and advisors may offer guidance, but the core ideas, research, execution, and craft must come from the student competitor. Entries that appear to be primarily adult-created will be disqualified.
AI use disclosure
AI tools may be used when allowed by the rules of a championship or category. Students must disclose significant AI assistance — including content generation, code assistance, design, or research — and must be able to explain their own work. Students are fully responsible for the accuracy and originality of every claim in their entry.
Submission fit
Every entry must fit one of the four championship areas: Founder Championship, Communication Olympiad, STEM & Innovation Championship, or Creative Arts Championship. Within Founder Championship, students choose a stage track — Idea, Build, Launch, or Traction. Communication, STEM & Innovation, and Creative Arts entries are submitted into the appropriate category.
Honesty, evidence, and verification
All claims in a submission must be truthful and supported by evidence. This includes revenue, users, partnerships, testimonials, research results, and any other data points. Selected finalists may be asked to provide supporting documentation. Submitting false or misleading claims will result in immediate disqualification.
Restricted or prohibited entries
Entries that involve illegal activity, deceptive practices, unsafe products or services, plagiarism, or fraud are prohibited. Submissions that promote harm, discrimination, or violate intellectual property rights will not be considered and may result in a permanent ban from future competitions.
Parent or guardian consent
All participants under the age of 18 must obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian before submitting their entry. Consent forms are provided during registration and must be completed before the submission deadline. Entries without valid consent will not be reviewed.
Awards
Medals are based on judging standards, submission quality, and competition rules. Gold, Silver, and Bronze recognize excellence within each championship or category. The Red Medal is a rare overall Red Ocean honor selected from top Gold-level entries. Red Ocean may combine categories, adjust awards, or withhold awards when needed to preserve fairness and prestige. Medals are earned, not automatic.
Our goal is to reward student competitors who compete honestly and responsibly. These rules exist not to limit creativity but to ensure every participant earns their recognition through genuine effort, real learning, and authentic results.
Gold is earned in your field. Red is earned across Red Ocean.