Venture: Startup Innovation Challenge
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Rooted in Biblical principles, Venture: Startup Innovation Challenge is an engaging competition designed to inspire creativity, with a particular focus on fostering environmental stewardship. This challenge invites entrepreneurial teams to identify a problem, develop an innovative solution, create a business around that solution, and, finally, pitch their visionary ideas to a distinguished "Venture Investor Panel" (adjudicators). With the hope of securing vital "investments", teams will eagerly compete to win over an investor! (Please note, no real money will exchange hands.)
Schools will utilize the ‘Venture: Startup Innovation Challenge Module’ to guide student teams in a project-based entrepreneurial learning experience rooted in a Biblical Worldview. The student experience will culminate in an exhilarating in-house school competition where ingenuity and innovation will be celebrated. The top three (3) teams will then be eligible to attend an in-person Local Venture: Startup Innovation Challenge hosted by ACSI member schools.
Whether exclusively for in-house use or to prepare for the Local Challenge, the Venture: Startup Innovation Challenge Module is integrated within Google Classroom (NO PRIOR Google subscription/email is needed to access the resources) allowing for seamless incorporation into any middle-school curriculum.
During Venture's inaugural implementation year,
the competition will be open to grades 6-8.
For additional information, please contact a Student Leadership & Learning team member.
Levels of Competition
In-House Venture Challenge (On-Demand)
The Venture: Startup Innovation Challenge Module was created for you to host your own Venture Challenge on your campus, for your students in grades 6-8. Each school may include any number of teams in this challenge according to their space/venue/volunteer limitations.
Teams consist of 3-4 students.
Adjudication & Awards
Your school will recruit a panel of volunteer judges (professionals in business and/or finance). Each judge will evaluate teams based on business concepts and pitches with the goal of choosing one team in which to ‘invest’. Certificates and Investor Identification Wristbands will be awarded as proof of ‘investment’.
The top three (3) teams from each school are eligible to attend an in-person Local Venture: Innovation Startup Challenge. Students that move on to the Local Challenge will have the opportunity to collect more Investor Identification Wristbands, signifying the winning of further ‘investments’.
Registration & Fees
- Venture: Startup Innovation Challenge Module - $250 (required for participation in Local Challenge; also offered individually for purchase for use In-House without attending a Local Challenge)
Local Venture Challenge (In-Person)
The Local Venture: Startup Innovation Challenge is open to grades 6-8; each school is allowed a maximum of three (3) teams (3-4 students each). The Venture: Startup Innovation Challenge Module (In-House) is required for participation in a Local Challenge.
Local Challenges are hosted by ACSI member schools in-person; dates vary.
Adjudication & Awards
This event will be judged by a panel of volunteer judges (professionals in business and/or finance). Each "investor" will evaluate teams based on business concepts and pitches with the goal of choosing one team to ‘invest’ in. Certificates and Investor Identification Wristbands will be awarded as proof of ‘investment’, building upon wristbands already obtained in the In-House Challenge.
Registration & Fees
- School Registration Fee: $85 by October 13, 2023 ($105 after deadline)
- Student Participation Fee: $50 per team due 30 days before the event ($15/team late fee after deadline)
- *The Venture: Startup Innovation Challenge Module used for the In-House Challenge is required for participation in the Local Challenge ($250)
Interested in Hosting This Event?
Click below to view event-specific details. For general Host/Chair information and the opportunity to volunteer, please click here.
