Students from JA Ecuador Win 2026 De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award

Key Takeaways:

• The De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award is the highest global award for Junior Achievement’s Company Program.
• Sacky JA, from JA Ecuador, clinched the 2026 prize.
• The award was established in 2021 by Ralph de la Vega, formerly of AT&T Mobile and Business Solutions.
• Six regional winners from JA’s worldwide network automatically qualify to compete for this honor.
• The JA Company Program equips students to build businesses, create products, and earn real profits.

Background of the Award

Founded in 2021 by tech-industry legend Ralph de la Vega—former President and CEO of AT&T Mobile and Business Solutions—the De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award stands as the pinnacle of achievement for participants in Junior Achievement’s Company Program. Prior to this global honor, the highest a student-led enterprise could aspire to was top placement at one of JA’s six regional competitions.

The 2026 Competition

This year’s award named Sacky JA, representing the Americas from JA Ecuador, as the winner. The competition also included teams from other regions: SmartGenix of JA Nigeria (Africa), Zester of JA Hong Kong SAR–China (Asia Pacific), VerifyID of Fonden for Entreprenørskab (JA Denmark, Europe), and EcoRock from the Middle East and North Africa. These finalists previously won the JA Company of the Year title in their own regions, earning them a place on the global stage.

Inside the JA Company Program

Junior Achievement’s Company Program is well-regarded for offering hands-on opportunities to high school students. Participants form fully functioning enterprises, design products or services to fulfill real-world needs, and then sell those products to earn actual revenue. Through this process, students gain vital skills in decision-making, leadership, and teamwork.

Impact of Ecuador’s Victory

Sacky JA’s success shone a bright spotlight on Ecuador’s growing ecosystem for youth entrepreneurship. The students’ accomplishment echoes across the broader JA global network, inspiring others to embrace the program’s practical training and to dream big. By capturing the De La Vega Award, these young entrepreneurs have demonstrated that with determination, creativity, and mentorship, students can shape meaningful businesses on the international stage.

Looking Ahead

As the reach and reputation of the De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award grow, so too does its capacity to empower future business leaders. Sacky JA’s achievement in 2026 sets a high bar for next year’s competition, driving more young innovators to pursue new ventures, refine their ideas, and help transform industries at home and abroad.