Teen Corporate Leadership Challenge (TCLC): Where Young Leaders Stepped Into the Boardroom

The Teen Corporate Leadership Challenge (TCLC) marked a proud and defining milestone for EThames Business School, Hyderabad, as it brought together young minds to experience leadership not as a concept, but as a practice. Designed as an immersive, experiential platform, TCLC enabled students to step into simulated CXO roles, encouraging them to think, decide, and lead like real-world executives.

The scale and enthusiasm surrounding the inaugural edition were remarkable. With participation from 25+ schools, over 2,000 students screened, and 250 finalists competing for prestigious CXO and Teen CEO titles, the challenge showcased the depth of talent, confidence, and clarity of thought among the next generation of leaders. The energy in the room reflected a powerful shift from passive learning to leadership in action.

A key strength of TCLC was the guidance provided by an eminent jury panel comprising Bhanu Prakash Reddy Varla, Nilanjan Chatterjee, Vijay Rangineni, and Anil Kumar Suravaram. Their real-world insights, probing questions, and constructive feedback transformed the competition into a rich learning experience, helping students understand the realities of leadership, decision-making, and accountability.

At the heart of TCLC lies a strong belief: just competing is winning. Participants demonstrated leadership by showing up, thinking under pressure, articulating ideas with confidence, and learning from feedback each of these moments representing a leadership victory in itself. The challenge created a safe yet stimulating environment where students could experiment, fail, learn, and grow.

The closing ceremony and award event were further elevated by the presence of the Chief Guest, Sri Laxminarayana garu, Former IPS Officer, whose inspiring address on integrity, courage, and purpose left a lasting impression on students and parents alike. His message reinforced the importance of values-driven leadership in an increasingly complex world.

EThames Business School takes pride in hosting the first edition of TCLC, setting the foundation for a long-term movement in experiential leadership education. This initiative reflects EThames’ commitment to nurturing future-ready leaders by blending academic rigor with real-world exposure.

The institution also extends heartfelt thanks to the schools that participated with tremendous enthusiasm and support, including Vista International School, DAV IIT Hyderabad, St Andrews School (Crimson), Samyuktha International School, Gyanville Academy, Aadhya Junior & Degree College for Women, Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul International School, Scholars International Academy, Excellencia Group of Institutions, and Prathibha Junior College.

As the journey begins, TCLC stands as a testament to what is possible when young minds are trusted with responsibility and given the opportunity to lead.