The Harbour School Students Secure 2nd Place Internationally at the 2026 Diamond Challenge Finals

 

Student-led social enterprise St. Martins Apparel recognized among 7,400+ teams in world’s premier entrepreneurship competition

HONG KONG — Three students from The Harbour School (THS)—Ella, Francesca, and Tallie—achieved a historic second-place finish at the prestigious 2026 Diamond Challenge Global Finals. Competing in the Social Innovation strand at the Limitless World Summit in the United States, the team emerged as top performers from a global field of 7,492 teams representing 137 countries.

Their award-winning venture, 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 entrepreneurship training, the THS students formally teach design thinking to their Philippine counterparts, applying the methodology collaboratively to develop original products.

The resulting product line—handbags crafted from textile waste and natural rattan—reflects both environmental intent and the creative input of everyone involved. While students in the Philippines source materials and manufacture the bags, the THS team manages global operations and sales from Hong Kong. By teaching entrepreneurship while practicing it, the initiative creates meaningful economic opportunities for youth in the Philippines. Bags are available for purchase at Asia Society Hong Kong.

This result marks the highest achievement for a Hong Kong team in the competition’s history. While other Hong Kong schools have reached the Global Finals as finalists in previous years, The Harbour School is the first team from the city to ever secure a podium placement.

For THS, an independent school centered on experiential learning, the finish validates the impact of its Global Project Development program, which empowers students to build scalable ventures that embody cutting-edge innovation and social impact. The second-place finish on the world stage proves that THS students are not only competing at the highest international levels but are leading the way for Hong Kong’s young entrepreneurs.

“Representing Hong Kong and our partners in the Philippines on a global stage has taught us that education is a powerful way to expand opportunities for young people. The Diamond Challenge pushed us to refine St. Martins Apparel into a viable venture where we can empower student entrepreneurs in both settings to become catalysts for change. To have our work recognized at this level by the Diamond Challenge is an absolute honor.”
— Ella, Francesca, and Tallie, St. Martins Apparel

“Watching Ella, Francesca, and Tallie navigate the complexities of international logistics and collaborative design has been inspiring. Securing second place globally among thousands of entrants is a testament to their grit and the real-world impact of our Global Project Development program. They haven't just won a prize; they've built a sustainable bridge between communities.”
— Dr. Jadis Blurton, Head of School, The Harbour School

 

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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 137 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.