JCI Belgium
Creative Young Entrepreneur
What is the Creative Young Entrepreneur (CYE)?
The Creative Young Entrepreneur (CYE) is an international pitch competition run by Junior Chamber International (JCI) that challenges young entrepreneurs aged 18–40 to present their business to an expert jury and compete for cash prizes at national, European and global level. Its single purpose is to motivate and inspire enterprising young leaders.
For Belgium, the pathway runs from a national round in Flanders “JCI Vlaamse Jonge Ondernemer van het Jaar” to the JCI European Conference the upcoming year, and on to the JCI World Congress of that year.
The programme asks participants to pitch their business plan, explain their strategy and sustainability goals, and show how far their venture can scale. Every entrant receives personal feedback from a panel of experienced entrepreneurs, sharpens their pitch, and gains visibility within a network present in more than 100 countries, according to Junior Chamber International (2026). You can read more about the annual “JCI Vlaamse Jonge Ondernemer van het Jaar” on the website of JCI Vlaanderen.
In short: CYE is the competition that turns a strong business plan into European and global recognition for young entrepreneurs.
How does the Creative Young Entrepreneur competition work?
The CYE pathway moves through three levels. Each stage raises both the stakes and the rewards.
- National round: young entrepreneurs in Flanders pitch their business; the winner earns the right to represent Belgium.
- European final: the national winner competes at the JCI European Conference against the continent’s sharpest founders for the European title.
- Global final: the European champion advances to the worldwide final at the JCI World Congress.
Creative Young Entrepreneur 2027: your next opportunity
The 2027 edition is the next chapter for Belgium’s young entrepreneurs. This years 2026 national winner (Jean-Baptiste Van Damme of Devan Plastics) earns the right to represent Belgium at the 2027 JCI European Conference (The Hague), pitching head to head for the European title and a place at the JCI World Congress 2027 in Nagoya, Japan.
The 2026 season finale: pitching in the Philippines
Before 2027 takes the spotlight, the current cycle still has its biggest moment ahead. The 2026 Creative Young Entrepreneur, crowned at the European final in Málaga, Spain (29 April–2 May 2026), will pitch their business at the global final during the 2026 JCI World Congress in Clark, Philippines, held 11–15 November 2026 – the largest gathering of young leaders on the JCI calendar.
Who can enter the CYE competition?
The competition is open to JCI members and non-members alike, provided they run an active business.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 18–40 years |
| Business age | Active for at least 3 months |
| Submission | Business plan, presentation and clear company objectives |
| Membership | Open to JCI members and non-members |
Selection is based on the information submitted, with the business plan as the foundation.
What's in for participants?
The rewards grow at every level:
| Level | Reward |
|---|---|
| All finalists | Personal jury feedback and pitch training |
| European final | Paid conference ticket and international exposure |
| European winner | 5.000 USD cash prize and a ticket to the JCI World Congress |
| Global grand prize | 10.000 USD at the World Congress |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who represents Belgium in the Creative Young Entrepreneur final?
When can I enter Creative Young Entrepreneur 2027?
Do I need to be a JCI member to enter?
What does the 2026 winner do next?
Ready to take the stage?
The Creative Young Entrepreneur award is your chance to put your business in front of Europe and the world. Whether you want to compete in 2027, sponsor or organise a local edition, JCI Belgium can help you take the next step.
Become a JCI member and join Belgium’s network for young entrepreneurial people.
