Competition rules

The 2027 Sydney Schools Business Competition (SSBC), run by Mile Zero, asks teams to act as business advisers to a fictional Sydney company, Southern Cross Technologies. No finance background is needed: business terms are explained the first time they appear. Every team gets the same materials, and new information is released in stages.

Who can enter

• Students enrolled at a New South Wales secondary school.
• Teams of three to four students, all from the same school.
• Each school may enter up to three teams. A student can be in only one team.
• Each team needs a teacher or staff member at its school who knows the team is taking part.
• Team registration closes on 2 February 2027.
• Entry is free.

Key dates (2027)

Exact opening and closing times are emailed to every team when each stage opens.

Stages and what to submit

Mile 0: Briefing Check (not scored)

A short auto-marked check of five to six questions on the Opening Case, completed before Mile 1 opens. Each team submits one set of answers. There is a ten-minute limit once the check is opened, and question order and numbers vary by team.

Mile 1: Where to Play (closes 10 Feb)

1. A decision worksheet covering all six markets: enter first, enter later or reject; the main evidence; and estimated tags per year.
2. A memo of 150 to 250 words.
3. One evidence calculation (a payback or loss figure, with working shown).

Mile 2: Making It Pay (closes 17 Feb)

1. A decision worksheet: a three-year plan (2027–2029), an investment plan, and the three-year plan again with sales 30% slower than expected, plus one sentence on what you would change.
2. A memo of 150 to 250 words.
3. A recorded pitch of two to three minutes. Every team member must speak at least once.

Mile 3: Project Kestrel (closes 28 Feb, nominated teams only)

1. A response memo of no more than 400 words.
2. A “what changes” table: each figure that moves from your Mile 2 plan, with its new value and the reason.
3. A one-page term sheet.

Live Final (4 March 2027, Sydney Grammar School)

• Present your full strategy in no more than seven minutes, with or without slides.
• Judges ask questions for five minutes.
• Judges give you new information, and you have five minutes to explain whether it changes your plan.
• Judges may ask any team member about any decision.

Who goes through

Each school nominates one team on 21 February, based on its Mile 1 and Mile 2 results. Nominated teams complete Project Kestrel. The top ten teams overall, ranked on Mile 1, Mile 2 and Project Kestrel, are invited to the Live Final.

Rules for every submission

• Deadlines. Submit before the closing time for each stage. Late work is not marked.
• Use the case. Base your analysis on the figures in the case. You may add one or two outside sources across the whole competition, and you must name them.
• Show your working. Every number must come from the case, a named source or an assumption you state.
• Keep to the limits. Stay within every word and time limit.
• Technical problems. If a technical failure stops you submitting, contact the organisers before the deadline.

Use of AI

• AI tools may help with research and editing. The analysis and decisions must be your team's own.
• Every submission must include a short note listing the AI tools you used and what you used them for.
• You must be able to explain every number and choice. Judges may ask any team member about any decision, at any stage.
• Handing the main analysis to an AI tool or another person without declaring it breaks the rules.

Fair play and conduct

• Work only with your own team. Don't share answers or discuss your plan with other teams.
• Teachers, parents, tutors and professionals may help you learn general skills, but must not write or shape your analysis.
• Don't post or share the case materials publicly before the Live Final on 4 March 2027.
• Treat other teams, organisers and judges with respect.
• A breach of these rules may lead to a penalty or disqualification.

How work is judged

Judges use the same five criteria at every stage, with weights that change by stage. Mile 0 is auto-marked and not weighted.

• Framing
• Evidence
• Feasibility
• Trade-offs
• Communication

Weights in percent for each stage. Mile 0 is auto-marked and not weighted.

Problem framing

Did you find the central problem and build a clear strategy around it?

Evidence and analysis

Is the evidence relevant, read correctly and used to support your recommendation?

Feasibility and numbers

Could the company actually do this, and do the numbers add up?

Recommendation and trade-offs

Did you make a clear call and admit the main risks and alternatives?

Communication

Is it clear, concise and persuasive?

Fairness in judging

• Submissions are coded so markers don't see school names.
• All work is marked against a shared rubric.
• Teams near the finalist cut-off are marked by two judges.
• Judges declare any conflict of interest.
• Sponsors and partners have no influence on results.

Results and appeals

Appeals are limited to procedural errors or breaches of these rules. Send them in writing to the organisers within three days of results being released.

Privacy and consent

We ask for consent before using student names, photos, recordings or school information in any promotional material. Recorded pitches are kept securely, seen only by organisers and judges, and deleted after the competition ends. See our privacy notice.

Accessibility

No paid databases or software are needed. If you need a reasonable adjustment, such as extra time or a different format, contact us before the stage opens.

Contact

Questions about the rules: hello@milezeronetwork.org.