Odyssey of the Mind

What Odyssey of the Mind does

Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving competition for students, operated by Creative Competitions, Inc., a New Jersey-based non-profit founded in 1978 by Dr. Sam Micklus. Teams of up to seven students select and solve open-ended long-term problems across five competitive categories (Vehicle, Technical/Performance, Classics, Structure, Performance) plus a non-competitive Primary problem, and present 8-minute solutions at regional, state/association, and World Finals levels. The program serves four student divisions spanning K-12, homeschool families, community groups (e.g., Rotary, church, library), and collegiate Division IV, reaching approximately 450,000 students annually with over 10,000 attending the annual World Finals.

The underlying technology is a web-based membership management and competition portal (portal.odysseyofthemind.com) with integrated e-commerce for merchandise and support materials. Proprietary platform components include a five-category long-term problem competition structure with scoring rubrics, a free 15-lesson Odyssey Academy video training curriculum, and a three-tier clarification system (General, Team-Specific, Judges). The membership portal supports self-service registration with tiered membership types (Standard $290, Additional $190, District Gold $240, District Platinum $190), and the storefront sells apparel, commemorative pins, the OMER plush mascot, balsa wood support bundles, and spontaneous-problem manuals.

Revenue is generated primarily through annual school and community-group memberships priced $190-$290 plus e-commerce merchandise sales. Distribution is managed through a hierarchical association network covering all U.S. states and international locations, functioning as a franchise-like channel for recruitment, tournament organization, and on-the-ground support. Strategic sponsors include ARM & HAMMER (international sponsor with a product-integrated annual problem) and NASA (audience-development partner), supplemented by Creative Opportunities Unlimited scholarships and the Odyssey Angels community-service program.

Name

Odyssey of the Mind

Legal name

Creative Competitions, Inc.

Website

https://odysseyofthemind.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving competition serving K-12 schools, homeschool families, community groups, and colleges. Operated by non-profit Creative Competitions, Inc., it generates revenue through annual memberships ($190-$290) and merchandise sales across a global association network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Competition Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

akta.pro primary industry

Innovation & Design Thinking Programs (EDAMAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Talent Development, Competitions & Academic Pathways (Olympiads, Research, Early College) (EDAKALAI)

Keywords

• Creative problem-solving competitions
• Youth education programs
• K-12 student competitions
• Team-based learning
• Educational membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sewell, New Jersey

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. School and Community Group Memberships: Annual membership fees charged to schools and community organizations that enable them to form competitive teams. Membership types include Standard ($290), Additional ($190), District Gold ($240/membership for 6-10 schools), and District Platinum ($190/membership for 11+ schools). One membership allows teams for each problem in each division within a school.
2. E-commerce Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise including World Finals apparel, problem-specific pins, OMER plush dolls, balsa wood support materials, spontaneous problem manuals, and miscellaneous items. Revenue from one-time product purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving competition program where teams of up to seven students from K-12 schools, homeschool families, community groups, and collegiate programs (Division IV) select and solve open-ended long-term problems across five competitive categories, presenting 8-minute solutions at regional, state/association, and World Finals levels. The program is supplemented by spontaneous on-site problem challenges, the Odyssey Academy training series, and a Membership Portal providing tiered subscription memberships (Standard $290, Additional $190, District Gold $240, District Platinum $190) plus branded merchandise and competition support materials sold through an online shop.

Product overview

Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition program consisting of a core platform with multiple integrated offerings. The main program provides six annual long-term competitive problems (vehicle, technical, classics, structure, performance, and primary) where teams of up to seven students develop 8-minute solution presentations, combined with spontaneous on-site challenges. Supporting modules include the Odyssey Academy (15-lesson training curriculum), World Finals international championships, and a Membership Portal for registrations and materials. The program is supplemented by a merchandise line including commemorative apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, long-sleeve tees), collectible pins (World Finals, problem-specific, and specialty pins), support materials (balsa wood for structure problems, Spontaneous Combustion II manual), and memorabilia (OMER plush dolls, stickers, graduation cords, pin collection totes).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Odyssey of the Mind Program Membership Annual membership program sold to schools, homeschool families, community groups, and collegiate programs that enables teams of up to seven students to participate in the creative problem-solving competition across five competitive categories (Vehicle, Technical/Performance, Classics, Structure, Performance) plus a non-competitive Primary division. Tiered pricing includes Standard ($290), Additional ($190), District Gold ($240 for 6-10 schools), and District Platinum ($190 for 11+ schools).
• World Finals International Championship Annual international championship competition where teams advance through regional and state/association levels to compete at the world stage. Hosted at universities on a rotating basis; recent hosts include University of Maryland (2011), Michigan State University (2025), and Iowa State University (2026). Over 10,000 students attend World Finals each year.
• '26 World Finals Tee Shirt 100% cotton, machine washable commemorative t-shirt featuring the 2026 World Finals logo. Available in S, M, L, XL, 2XL sizes, priced at $25.00-$28.00.
• '26 World Finals Hoodie Cardinal red hoodie (50% cotton, 50% polyester) with 2026 World Finals logo on front. Machine washable, priced at $50.00-$53.00.
• OMER Plush Doll 8-inch tall plush raccoon doll featuring OMER, the Odyssey of the Mind mascot. Priced at $15.00.
• Balsa Wood Support Bundle Bundle of 30 high-density AAA balsa wood sticks, each 36" x 1/8" x 1/8". Used for structure-building competition problems. Priced at $30.00.
• Spontaneous Combustion II Manual Manual providing basic information about spontaneous problems for coaches and team leaders, including 9 verbal, 6 hands-on, and 2 verbal/hands-on practice problems. Priced at $10.00.
• Pin Collection Tote Blue tote bag with red piping and OM design, featuring 4 double-sided display pages (10" x 9") with zippered compartments for storing pins. Includes adjustable shoulder strap. Priced at $35.00.
• Odyssey of the Mind Graduation Cord Red, white, and blue braided graduation cord commemorating OM participation. Priced at $10.00.
• 5 Pack OM Stickers Pack of 5 vinyl, individually cut 3-inch stickers for laptops and water bottles. Priced at $10.00.
• '25 WF Pin
• '26 Problem 1 Pin 1.5-inch die casting hard enamel pin for the 2025-2026 Problem 1: Off the Rails. Priced at $7.00.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 450,000 students participate annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered international sponsor, key partner, supporting sponsor, core partner and program partner.

• ARM & HAMMERinternational sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerARM & HAMMER is the international sponsor of Odyssey of the Mind. Every year, ARM & HAMMER sponsors a long-term problem where each team must include ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda in their solution. This creates a unique partnership where the sponsor's product is integrated into the creative problem-solving challenge, with OMers discovering various uses for the product in their solutions.
• NASAkey partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA partners with Odyssey of the Mind as one of the few organizations that can carry the NASA message to a broad audience in a positive and meaningful way. NASA values the great fit with OotM, noting that devising unique solutions to complex problems are central components to both organizations. NASA raises awareness of its science research to approximately 450,000 students annually plus coaches, parents, and community members. Over 10,000 students are reached at World Finals alone within three days.
• Premier Portraits Studiosupporting sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier Portraits Studio donates team photographs at World Finals, providing professional portrait services for participating teams at the annual competition event.
• Creative Opportunities Unlimited (COU)core partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative Opportunities Unlimited (COU) exists to help volunteers and participants of Odyssey of the Mind through sponsorships and scholarships. COU provides financial support to Odyssey of the Mind teams, enabling broader participation. Former sponsors include IBM and Microsoft.
• Odyssey Angelsprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerOdyssey Angels is a community service program where Odyssey of the Mind teams use creative problem-solving skills to help their communities. Angels are always among us, and this program extends the mission beyond competition to real-world impact.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): Much larger incumbent running K-12 STEM competitions (FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Robotics Competition). Competes for the same school enrichment time and budget with a broader STEM rather than creativity-only focus.
• Science Olympiad: National STEM competition organization running team-based science events for K-12 students. Competes with OM for school team participation and tournament slots, though focused on science events rather than open-ended creative problem-solving.
• MATHCOUNTS: Established national middle school math competition program with school-based team participation. Competes for the same enrichment slot in U.S. school calendars, though narrowly focused on mathematics rather than cross-disciplinary creativity.

Others

• Project Lead The Way (PLTW): Large K-12 STEM curriculum provider offering project- and problem-based learning pathways to schools. While not a competition organization, PLTW competes with OM for school budget allocation toward STEM/STEAM enrichment programs.
• Creative Education Foundation: Non-profit dedicated to advancing creativity education and the methodologies (such as CPS — Creative Problem Solving) underlying OM's framework. Adjacent ecosystem player rather than direct competitor, but serves overlapping educator and student audiences.

Emerging players

• VEX Robotics / REC Foundation: Robotics education and competition organization running VEX IQ, VEX V5, and related K-12 tournaments. An emerging player in STEM competitions that intersects with OM's structure-building problems and competes for the same school team budgets.

Direct peers

• Destination Imagination: The closest direct competitor, also running team-based creative problem-solving competitions for K-12 and college students with annual tournaments and long-term/spontaneous problem formats. Operates a similar membership-based, volunteer-driven model targeting schools and community groups.
• Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI): Direct peer operating academic competitions that teach creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and research skills to K-12 students. Uses a similar membership and competition-based delivery model with an International Conference championship event.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/odyssey-of-the-mind

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Odyssey of the Mind