The Hinksey Labs
Business Essay Competition
The Hinksey Labs
Business Essay Competition
Shifts That Change the Game
Shifts That Change the Game
Are you a high school student ready to sharpen your research skills, strengthen your business acumen, and think like a strategist?
Are you a high school student ready to sharpen your research skills, strengthen your business acumen, and think like a strategist?
Choose a company or non-profit that has been - or is likely to be soon - affected by a major change, such as the rise of AI, environmental pressures, market shifts, a change in leadership, or another significant factor, and put its situation under the microscope.
Choose a company or non-profit that has been - or is likely to be soon - affected by a major change, such as the rise of AI, environmental pressures, market shifts, a change in leadership, or another significant factor, and put its situation under the microscope.
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Click here to join us for a free research workshop and essay competition info session!
Click here to join us for a free research workshop and essay competition info session!
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Your Mission
Your Mission
Submit a 1,000-1,500 word case-study essay that includes:
Submit a 1,000-1,500 word case-study essay that includes:
Background - Provide a concise overview of the organisation you selected, including what it does, who it serves, and how it stands out from competitors.
Background - Provide a concise overview of the organisation you selected, including what it does, who it serves, and how it stands out from competitors.
The Shift - Describe the change that happened (or is expected to happen), when it occurred (or may occur), and what caused it.
The Shift - Describe the change that happened (or is expected to happen), when it occurred (or may occur), and what caused it.
Impact - Apply relevant business concepts to explain why this change matters. Assess its actual or potential consequences for the organisation, its industry, and the wider economy.
Impact - Apply relevant business concepts to explain why this change matters. Assess its actual or potential consequences for the organisation, its industry, and the wider economy.
Response - If the organisation has responded, assess that response. If it hasn’t responded yet or its response isn’t known, suggest what it should do.
Response - If the organisation has responded, assess that response. If it hasn’t responded yet or its response isn’t known, suggest what it should do.
Judging Criteria
Judging Criteria
Evidence & Sources - credible data, clearly cited and integrated into the analysis
Evidence & Sources - credible data, clearly cited and integrated into the analysis
Insight & Originality - fresh perspectives and sharp takeaways beyond the obvious
Insight & Originality - fresh perspectives and sharp takeaways beyond the obvious
Clarity & Structure - well-organised, concise writing with a logical flow
Clarity & Structure - well-organised, concise writing with a logical flow
Use of Business Concepts - accurate, relevant, and applied effectively
Use of Business Concepts - accurate, relevant, and applied effectively
Clarity & Structure - well-organised, concise writing with a logical flow
Clarity & Structure - well-organised, concise writing with a logical flow
Evidence & Sources - credible data, clearly cited and integrated into the analysis
Evidence & Sources - credible data, clearly cited and integrated into the analysis
Use of Business Concepts - accurate, relevant, and applied effectively
Use of Business Concepts - accurate, relevant, and applied effectively
Insight & Originality - fresh perspectives and sharp takeaways beyond the obvious
Insight & Originality - fresh perspectives and sharp takeaways beyond the obvious
The Fine Print
The Fine Print
Prizes
Prizes
Prizes
1st place: $250 gift card + 100% Hinksey Scholars Programme scholarship ($1,950 value)
1st place: $250 gift card + 100% Hinksey Scholars Programme scholarship ($1,950 value)
1st place: $250 gift card + 100% Hinksey Scholars Programme scholarship ($1,950 value)
2nd place: $100 gift card + 75% Hinksey Scholars Programme scholarship ($1,375 value)
2nd place: $100 gift card + 75% Hinksey Scholars Programme scholarship ($1,375 value)
2nd place: $100 gift card + 75% Hinksey Scholars Programme scholarship ($1,375 value)
3rd place: 50% Hinksey Scholars Programme scholarship ($850 value)
3rd place: 50% Hinksey Scholars Programme scholarship ($850 value)
3rd place: 50% Hinksey Scholars Programme scholarship ($850 value)
Top 10 finalists: Personalised feedback + certificate
Top 10 finalists: Personalised feedback + certificate
Top 10 finalists: Personalised feedback + certificate
All entrants: Priority interview for the next Hinksey Labs cohort
All entrants: Priority interview for the next Hinksey Labs cohort
All entrants: Priority interview for the next Hinksey Labs cohort
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Submissions Open: 7 September 2025
Submissions Open: 7 September 2025
Submissions Open: 7 September 2025
Submissions Close: 20 October 2025
Submissions Close: 20 October 2025
Submissions Close: 20 October 2025
Winners Announced: 3 November 2025
Winners Announced: 3 November 2025
Winners Announced: 3 November 2025
Eligibility
Eligibility
Eligibility
Open to high school students (ages 14 - 18) worldwide. Essays must be in English.
Open to high school students (ages 14 - 18) worldwide. Essays must be in English.
Open to high school students (ages 14 - 18) worldwide. Essays must be in English.
Judging Team
Judging Team
Judging Team
Simon Kotlerman, Esq, MBA
Programme Director
Simon Kotlerman is an entrepreneur with a diverse career spanning law, consulting, and start-ups. He began his career as a legal practitioner at a financial regulator, later transitioning into strategy consulting and business development. Dedicated to creating social impact through business, Simon served as a research fellow with the United Nations Development Programme (GRP) and assumed various leadership roles, such as serving on the board of an NGO addressing youth violence and co-chairing the Oxford Entrepreneurship Network. Simon holds an LLB in Law and a BA in Economics from Tel Aviv University, an MBA from the University of Oxford, and has completed executive education at UC Berkeley, UCT, and HKU.
Simon Kotlerman, Esq, MBA
Programme Director
Simon Kotlerman is an entrepreneur with a diverse career spanning law, consulting, and start-ups. He began his career as a legal practitioner at a financial regulator, later transitioning into strategy consulting and business development. Dedicated to creating social impact through business, Simon served as a research fellow with the United Nations Development Programme (GRP) and assumed various leadership roles, such as serving on the board of an NGO addressing youth violence and co-chairing the Oxford Entrepreneurship Network. Simon holds an LLB in Law and a BA in Economics from Tel Aviv University, an MBA from the University of Oxford, and has completed executive education at UC Berkeley, UCT, and HKU.
Simon Kotlerman, Esq, MBA
Programme Director
Simon Kotlerman is an entrepreneur with a diverse career spanning law, consulting, and start-ups. He began his career as a legal practitioner at a financial regulator, later transitioning into strategy consulting and business development. Dedicated to creating social impact through business, Simon served as a research fellow with the United Nations Development Programme (GRP) and assumed various leadership roles, such as serving on the board of an NGO addressing youth violence and co-chairing the Oxford Entrepreneurship Network. Simon holds an LLB in Law and a BA in Economics from Tel Aviv University, an MBA from the University of Oxford, and has completed executive education at UC Berkeley, UCT, and HKU.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to enter?
Can I work with a partner or team?
Can I submit more than one essay?
Can I participate if I am not in the U.S.?
Can I use AI?
Do I need to include references?
Will my essay be published?
Who do I contact with questions?
Is there a fee to enter?
Can I work with a partner or team?
Can I submit more than one essay?
Can I participate if I am not in the U.S.?
Can I use AI?
Do I need to include references?
Will my essay be published?
Who do I contact with questions?
Is there a fee to enter?
Can I work with a partner or team?
Can I submit more than one essay?
Can I participate if I am not in the U.S.?
Can I use AI?
Do I need to include references?
Will my essay be published?
Who do I contact with questions?
