One of the biggest hurdles for any ambitious high school student is turning a massive interest like “finance” or “tech” into a specific, 7-minute presentation. Here is how to do it.
The clock is ticking. You have until June 26th to submit your research topic to the foundation. The Academy of Economics, Finance, and Entrepreneurship (AEFE) jury is not looking for a Wikipedia summary on “What is inflation?”. They want to see your ability to analyze a real, specific problem in the modern world.
If you are staring at a blank screen and don’t know where to start, use this proven 3-step formula to structure your idea.
Pick an Industry You Already Follow (Passion over Prestige)
Many participants make the mistake of choosing a highly complex macroeconomic topic (like monetary policy or derivatives) simply because it sounds “academic.” The truth is, if you don’t understand the subject matter deeply, the jury will notice immediately.
Instead, choose an industry you actually consume daily. Do you love video games? The economics of E-sports and microtransactions is a massive field. Are you interested in fashion? Look into the microeconomics of sneaker reselling or the fast-fashion supply chain.
Find the Friction (The Problem)
Every excellent presentation solves a problem or explains a market phenomenon. Take your chosen industry and look for a point of “friction” or conflict that has emerged over the last 24 months.
Why are streaming subscription prices (like Netflix and Disney+) rising while consumers complain about content quality? Why are European green energy startups struggling to scale compared to their US competitors? Look for the anomalies in the market.
Narrow the Focus to a 7-Minute Pitch
You only have 7 minutes to present. The most common reason for a low score is a lack of focus. You must be able to explain your topic in a single, clear sentence.
✅ Winning Topic: “How AI integration will shift starting salaries for junior developers in Eastern Europe by 2030” (Specific, measurable, and locally applicable).
Foundation “For Intelligent Growth”
