This page describes the 2025 edition of the competition, which has taken place. See what is coming up.
CYE 2025
The Creative Young Entrepreneur Competition
CYE, short for “Creative Young Entrepreneur” is a pitch competition dedicated to fostering innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit among today’s brightest minds.
In short
- Get a stepping stone to create more visibility for your company.
- Expand your network.
- Learn how to pitch ideas and fine-tune your business.
- Get the chance to compete on a national level before proceeding to the European finale at the European Conference in Denmark
- Get national and international recognition for your idea.
- Get mentoring and feedback from Malta’s finest business experts.
- Win prizes and more…
What to expect
Fine-tune your pitch skills
Learn how to craft compelling pitches and presentations to attract investors, customers, and partners.
This workshop will be offered to all participants, free of charge on 28 April 2025.
Expert mentorship
A panel of experienced industry experts will guide and mentor you, offering valuable insights and advice to help refine your business plan. This panel of independent judges consists of Giovanna Mirabile, Dana Carmont, Deepika Joshi, Dr. Nathaniel P Massa.
Networking opportunities
Connect with like-minded individuals, potential investors, and industry professionals during the workshops and the feedback moments.
Global exposure
Are you ready to take the world? Beyond exposure on the Maltese market, you get the chance to put your business idea in front of a global audience, including investors, venture capitalists, and potential customers. The CYE Competition is your gateway to international recognition.
Prizes
Participants of the JCI Malta CYE competition will have the chance to win a variety of exciting prizes.
National winners
- 1st place: Tickets for European Conference in Denmark
- 2nd place: Coaching sessions from Karl Grech – Coaching Leaders & Their Teams, 6 coaching sessions valued € 1200 + VAT
- 3rd place: Benefit from JCI Malta training, 2 sessions
International winners
- 1st place: $5,000 USD, exclusive access to the CYE Accelerator Program, mentorship, and access to the 2025 Worldwide CYE Program,
- 2nd place: Free registration for the 2026 corresponding Area Conference and access to the 2025 Worldwide CYE Program
Timeline
- Deadline sign-up
- Sunday 27 April 2025 23:59
- Pitch workshop
- Monday 28 April 2025, by Markus Behmann (2 time finalist of CYE international)
- National Competition
- Saturday 3 May 2025
- European Conference
- Wednesday 4 – Saturday 7 June 2025, Herning, Denmark
Judges
We’ve invited 4 local business experts to mentor you throughout the competition, give constructive feedback and score your final pitch during the finale on 3 May!
- Giovanna Mirabile, Chief Executive Officer at Aeroates Ltd
- Dana Carmont, Founder & CEO of FEMALE. Community, Alterations Studio, Dana Carmont Malta. Chairwoman of EmpowerHER VO.
- Deepika Joshi, Director-RNIT Solutions and Founder of IDEAOVATOR
- Dr. Nathaniel P Massa, resident senior faculty at the Department of Business & Enterprise Management, at the University of Malta
Requirements
- The competition is open to both JCI members and non-members.
- To ensure that your business is eligible, it should already be active for a minimum of three months.
- Applications are reserved for individuals aged 18 to 40 years.
Talk with previous contestants
Markus Behmann, CYE finalist
Senator and Past President Markus Behmann did not apply once, but twice for CYE! He was one of the finalists during the European Conference 2022 in Bruges and became runner up at the World Conference 2023 in Zurich.
markus.behmann (at) jci.org.mt with Markus to get a real feel of how this opportunity will change your business, and ultimately your life!
Markus will also be the guest-speaker during the Pitch Workshop on 28 April, where you not only will finetune your skills.