The world’s first high-school competition focused on application development and real business processes of major tech companies begins a new chapter
As digital ecosystems expand at an unprecedented speed, the global IT industry faces an acute shortage of talent capable of working with large-scale, industrial software systems. Against this backdrop, the International Software Engineering Olympiad PROD has carved out a distinct niche. Launched in January 2024, the program quickly became one of the few platforms where high-school students from multiple countries solve real business challenges, explore the architecture of complex software systems, and gain a mindset shaped by the workflow of enterprise-level engineering teams. Registration for the new season closes on December 2, and the initiative is increasingly viewed as a gateway for young people to explore the full spectrum of modern technological development.
The Story Behind PROD
PROD is one of the fastest-growing education projects in recent years, bringing together high-school students around tasks drawn directly from real-world industry. The initiative is run by several Russian organizations: Central University – a new-generation STEM-oriented institution ranked among Russia’s leading universities and one of the top 10 most competitive for admission; T-Technologies, a major fintech company; and the Faculty of Computer Science at HSE University.
The idea was born as an attempt to give teenagers an early, informed pathway into a profession shaping the future technological landscape. Importantly, the organizers emphasize that no prior programming experience is required – basic knowledge of mathematics and computer science is sufficient.
PROD allows students from grades 8 to 12 to test themselves in industrial development, one of the most complex branches of IT. Its debut season in 2024 was a milestone as PROD became the world’s first international Olympiad of this kind. More than 6,000 applications were submitted. During the second season, which opened in December 2024, over 10,000 students applied, and 4,000 Russian-speaking participants from more than 20 countries – including the UK, Germany, France, Canada, China and Peru – took part. In just two cycles, the Olympiad has evolved from a standalone international contest into a genuine bridge linking schools, universities, and the technology sector.
The new season opens in December 2025, with results announced in March 2026. For the first time, the competition is fully bilingual – in English and Russian – making it accessible to students worldwide.
Structure of the Olympiad and Opportunities for Participants
The design of PROD ensures that students from any country can complete the full journey: from introductory tasks to a final project defense. Most stages are held online, lowering access barriers and establishing PROD as a truly global academic platform. Only the final round takes place offline in Moscow, with accommodation for international participants fully covered by the organizers.
The competition begins with a remote test in mathematics and basic programming – identical for all participants regardless of national curricula. The second round focuses on case challenges in frontend and backend development, mobile engineering, and MLOps, each reflecting the realities of modern tech industries around the world. This structure helps students grasp principles applicable not only in Russian or European fintech, but also across global digital ecosystems.
The final stage consists of two rounds. In the individual round, finalists develop a project within their chosen track; in the team round, they collaborate to create full-scale solutions based on cases provided by the organizers.
PROD’s growing international status is reinforced by its real impact on participants’ futures. Over two years, the program has built its own development ecosystem: 39 finalists and award-winners have secured internships at T-Technologies – a company developing a major financial and lifestyle services ecosystem – with 19 currently interning and 9 already employed full-time. More than 120 participants from the previous season enrolled at Central University, including 50 finalists and 20 winners and prize-winners.
In a world where software has become a universal language, initiatives like PROD shape a new generation of engineers – young professionals capable of building world-class digital products even before entering university. The Olympiad has already proven that high-school students are ready for this challenge, and its international expansion ensures that young people anywhere in the world can access this experience.