Hong Kong Students Advance to Global Finals of the Diamond Challenge

Student-led social enterprise St. Martins Apparel advances from the Asia region to join the Top 40 finalists in University of Delaware’s flagship global entrepreneurship competition

HONG KONG — Three students from The Harbour School Hong Kong (THS)—Ella, Francesca, and Tallie—have advanced to the Global Finals of the Diamond Challenge, a prestigious global entrepreneurship competition run by Horn Entrepreneurship at the University of Delaware. The team has secured their place among the Top 40 global finalists in the social impact strand. Their project, St. Martins Apparel, is a student-led social enterprise built around a cross-border partnership with two Philippine nonprofits serving underprivileged youth — Bahay at Yaman Ni San Martin De Porres (BYSMPI) and Casa Bantu. As part of their own entrepreneurship training, the THS students formally teach design thinking to their Philippine counterparts, and then apply it collaboratively to develop original products. Students in the Philippines source materials and manufacture the bags, while the THS team manages operations and sales from Hong Kong.

The product line — handbags crafted from textile waste and natural rattan — is a direct outcome of that collaborative design process, reflecting both environmental intent and the creative input of everyone involved. By teaching entrepreneurship while practicing it, the initiative creates meaningful economic opportunities for youth in the Philippines and embodies cutting-edge experiential learning. Bags are available for purchase at Asia Society Hong Kong.

Recognised among thousands of semifinalists from around the world, the THS GPD team distinguished themselves through both the strength of their business model and the genuine purpose behind their work. They will next compete at the Limitless World Summit, the Diamond Challenge’s annual international hosted by the University of Delaware, where top student entrepreneurs from across the globe converge to compete and be recognised for their innovations.

“We've learned that education is a powerful way to expand opportunities for young people, especially those from under‑resourced communities. St. Martins Apparel strives to empower student entrepreneurs in both settings to become catalysts for meaningful change.”
— Ella, Francesca, and Tallie, St. Martins Apparel

“Ella, Francesca, and Tallie have done something remarkable — they identified a real community need, built a business around it, and are now operating on a global stage. This is exactly the kind of learning that has a real impact on the future.”
— Dr. Jadis Blurton, Head of School, The Harbour School

About the Diamond Challenge 

The Diamond Challenge is widely recognised as a globally top-rated entrepreneurship competition for high school students. Founded in 2012 by Horn Entrepreneurship at the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, it has grown to reach more than 18,000 students across 120+ countries. Each year, competing teams develop original business or social venture concepts and pitch to panels of expert judges, with top finalists earning a share of over $100,000 USD in awards. The competition is offered as a free educational initiative, reflecting Horn Entrepreneurship’s mission to develop the entrepreneurial mindset in the next generation of global leaders.

About The Harbour School Hong Kong

The Harbour School (THS) is a co-educational, independent international school in Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, serving students from Junior Grade 1 through Grade 12. THS is committed to experiential, purpose-driven education that empowers students to become confident, compassionate, and globally minded leaders. The school holds accreditation from WASC and EARCOS and is recognised internationally for its dedication to sustainability, social impact, and innovation.