YSU students place ninth globally in 2026 Global Scaling Challenge

Youngstown State University students earned global recognition for their innovation, teamwork and strategic thinking by placing ninth out of 61 teams from more than 10 countries in the Global Scaling Challenge 2026, a prestigious international competition focused on real-world business growth and scalability.

The YSU team — Akriti Parajuli, Tanishka Agnihotri, Aleen Kanan and Lojein Yacoub — developed a comprehensive global scaling strategy for Applied Surface Engineering. Their work addressed real-world challenges across multiple industries and culminated in a professional presentation delivered to a panel of industry experts. Their placement in the Global Finals marks a significant accomplishment and highlights the students’ dedication, collaboration and strategic insight.

“Placing ninth in such a highly competitive, global field is an achievement we are incredibly proud of,” said their faculty advisor, Omer Genc. “The students demonstrated outstanding performance throughout the entire challenge and represented Youngstown State University with professionalism and excellence.”

Beyond the final ranking, participation in the Global Scaling Challenge provided the students with a valuable experiential learning opportunity. They were able to apply classroom concepts to real-world business problems while developing critical skills such as market analysis, strategic planning, teamwork and professional communication.

“It is always a pleasure to support students through meaningful experiential learning experiences like this,” Genc added. Competitions such as the Global Scaling Challenge play an important role in shaping confident, career-ready graduates.