<P> World of Dance is a Southern California - based dance, fashion, music, and entertainment brand founded by David Gonzalez, Myron Marten, and Michael McGinn in 2008 . It is the world's largest dance entertainment enterprise, elevating artists and brands with events, entertainment and digital engagement . The brand encompasses more platforms than any other dance content provider or dance show case, including World of Dance competitions in more than 25 countries, the NBC World of Dance television show (executive produced by Jennifer Lopez), the World of Dance Live tour, a fashion line, and the largest YouTube dance network with more than 300 channels, including the World of Dance YouTube channel, with more than 2.5 million subscribers . Its events bring together performers from the street, urban, and hip hop dance world, connecting the dance community with a particular focus on millennial and post-millenial audiences . </P> <P> In 2017, World of Dance launched World of Dance Digital Lab, a full - service, in - house production studio connecting brands to youth culture . Services include branded entertainment, influencer marketing, content strategy and production, targeted media distribution, and experiential activations . </P> <P> The first World of Dance competition was held in 2008 . Since then, the brand has expanded to competitions in more than 25 countries . Each year, World of Dance Qualifier events are held around the world (40 internationally, 15 in the U.S.), bringing together street and urban dance crews to compete for two titles: winner of the Upper Division (for 18 years and older) and winner of the Youth Division (17 years old or younger). The winners of each category are invited to compete at World of Dance Finals event, where they compete for the world title . National championship winners are selected for international dance championship. National dance championship was started in the year 2106. This is conducted every alternative year.In the year 2018, WOD conducted national dance championship at which finals were held at secundrabad, HYDERABAD. This was won by VASHISHTA KULAKARNI registered his name as VASIJAANU from HYD, TELANGANA and MANISH from MUMBAI.As they won national dance championship they were selected for INTERNATIONAL DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP conducted by WOD (World Of Dance). </P> <P> World of Dance competitions are notable for their scoring approach . Each competition is judged by a five - person panel, usually composed of dance celebrities, industry professionals, and influencers . Using an Olympic - style approach, competitors are judged according to five criteria: Performance, Technique, Choreography, Creativity, and Presentation . Each category is worth 20 points, for a total of 100 points . Once all judges have inputted their score, the highest and lowest scores are removed, and the final score is the average score of the remaining three . Those with a score above 85 move on to finals . </P>

What does upper mean in world of dance