This involving, well-meaning documentary makes the case that it takes a particular type of person to launch a company, but a successful entrepreneur can come from any background. Five budding business mavericks from different continents will cross paths, courtesy of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEAs), a pitch competition with a $100,000 grand prize. As a title card informs us, such contests are fast becoming a way of raising start-up capital. 

During the initial scenes, which jump from one location to another, it is quickly apparent that the subjects have some potent ideas. The group includes two women: Daniela Blanco, a chemical engineering student living in New York City who has pioneered technology that powers chemical reactions with solar energy; and Alondra Toledo, from Puerto Rico, who developed an app that helps the hearing-impaired communicate with non-ASL-trained doctors. 

Of the three young men, two are people of color: Henry Onyango, who has created an online marketplace that connects university students in Kenya to much needed housing options; and Santosh Pandey, whose company delivers personalized gift experiences (very creative, very public) aimed at his fellow Nepalese living abroad. Jason Hadzikostas, from northern Greece, is working on an app that translates babies’ cries. He initially comes off as comic relief—he carries a baby doll in public and constantly cracks jokes during interviews.

All are likeable from the start because of their creativity, charisma, drive, and, in many cases, desire to help their communities. They all had to overcome challenges to get where they are today, and some are still grappling with obstacles. Daniela, for example, escaped political violence in Venezuela and now deals with living far away from her mother, whom she had always been close to, as well as the casual sexism she has encountered in her industry. Even Jason is revealed as needing to grow up fast due to a loved one’s serious illness. Directors Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster never get too bogged down in angst for too long, though. The narrative moves at a brisk pace, including scenes with family members or coworkers that inject warmth and humor.

The entire second half takes place in Macau, where the semifinalists from every country are scheduled to present their projects before they are whittled down to a final six competitors. Understandably, the stakes feel higher, but interestingly, rather than every person for themselves, there is a sense of real camaraderie, with would-be rivals helping one another through in the last-minute prep. It’s unfortunate that this section is also where those we may have grown attached to recede while others receive the lion’s share of the limelight. (Though in one case, one contestant is racing the clock to get through immigration.)

Like the filmmakers’ Science Fair, the film becomes unapologetically political at times—specifically, about how immigrants have long been a major reason for the innovative strides made by the United States. Another similarity is the focus on a competition in which substance is important but style also matters when it comes to how participants’ pitches are judged—one juror actually says that they’re not just looking for great concepts but someone who will “wow” audiences with their stage presence.

Unfortunately, there’s not much additional insight into the judges’ decisions after the fact, which is frustrating given how much is on the line. The film really could have used some interviews with the deciders after the semifinal and final rounds. Without those scenes, viewers are left in the dark as much as the protagonists are. 

Meanwhile, at a time when the world could use as much innovation as possible to combat serious problems (climate change, for one), knowing the GSEAs place so much value on showmanship cheapens the contest to some extent. (We don’t need the next Elon Musk. We have one already and that’s more than enough, thanks). That isn’t necessarily the fault of the filmmakers, who try hard to keep the focus on the participants. All five are doing their best to own their destinies despite whatever hands they were dealt.