Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation Challenge

Venture: Young Entrepreneurs' Innovation Program

Embark on a journey of discovery and creativity with the Venture: Young Entrepreneurs' Innovation Program. This program, grounded in a biblical worldview, introduces upper elementary school students to the exciting world of entrepreneurship, where they will explore the basics of our economy, discover the relationship between risk and reward, and learn essential skills needed for success in a free market.

Through participation in the Venture: Young Entrepreneurs' Innovation Program, students will engage in hands-on activities to foster a deep understanding of business ownership. They will learn to differentiate between needs and wants while developing their problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities. By delving into the language of business, students will cultivate a sense of individual opportunity and motivation for lifelong learning. The program is adaptable and can be implemented effectively across various curriculum areas and school sizes.

The Venture: Young Entrepreneurs’ Innovation Program includes all the teacher/student materials needed to successfully implement this program within your existing curriculum, including:

• Venture: Young Entrepreneurs' Innovation Module
• Teacher Implementation Guide
• Biblical Worldview Implementation Guide
• Retrieval practice to help students make connections in their learning
• Cross-curricular lesson plans that promote collaboration and higher-order thinking skills
  
• Interactive activities and experiences that build excitement towards the Young Entrepreneurs' Innovation Challenge culminating event
  
• Program components and a culminating activity that change based on each year's theme

Key Outcomes:

• Understanding the Basics of Our Economy: Students will grasp fundamental economic concepts and learn how businesses contribute to a free-market society.
• Mastering Basic Skills: Essential skills such as teamwork, communication, creativity, and resilience will be honed through practical challenges and projects.
• Fostering Motivation and Opportunity: The program aims to instill a passion for learning and foster a deeper understanding of the biblical perspective on entrepreneurship, encouraging students to envision themselves as future innovators and leaders.

Venture: Young Entrepreneurs' Innovation Challenge

The Young Entrepreneurs' Innovation Challenge will be the in-school culminating experience. It will allow students to showcase their understanding of fundamental entrepreneurship concepts while pitching an idea to a group of company executives. All the materials needed to create this in-school culuminating student experience are provided within the Venture: Young Entrepreneurs' Innovation Program.

Venture: Young Entrepreneurs' Innovation Program will be available for purchase on August 5th!

Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation Middle School Program

The Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation Middle School Program prepares students for the rigor of competition by encouraging them to think creatively and challenge traditional business models. It invites entrepreneurs to present innovative concepts, business proposals, and products or services designed to transform industries. Students will participate in activities aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the biblical perspective on entrepreneurship, recognizing it as a uniquely human ability that can be used to serve others and further God’s kingdom. Biblical entrepreneurship requires innovative thinking, self-sacrifice, godly wisdom, patience, and a commitment to do all for the glory of God.

This program includes all the teacher/student materials needed to successfully implement this program within your existing curriculum, including:

• Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation Middle School Module
• Teacher Implementation Guide
• Retrieval practice to help students make connections in their learning
• Implementation Timeline
• Biblical Worldview Implementation Guide
• Student templates including business proposals, business plans, and pitch creation materials available in multiple formats (Google Docs, Word, PDFs)
• Communication materials are available in multiple formats (Google Forms & Microsoft Forms)
• Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation Middle School In-School Challenge materials including room and set-up configurations, organizational documents available in multiple formats, Emcee materials, audience member activity, VIP panel materials, and participant reflection materials
• Program components and an in-school culminating challenge that changes based on each year's theme

Key Outcomes:

• Design and Develop an Innovative Product or Service: Utilize marketing and entrepreneurial skills to create a unique product or service.
• Establish a Startup Business: Develop a comprehensive business model for a product or service that encompasses the key elements of a successful startup.
• Deliver a Compelling Business Pitch: Present a persuasive business idea that attracts investment and support from potential stakeholders.

International Virtual Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation Middle School Challenge

Any ACSI member school that completes the Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation Middle School Program will be invited to compete in the International Virtual Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation Middle School Challenge, a fully digital competition. 

Member schools will receive this invitation along with additional instructions on how to submit video pitches and other materials for judging and competition against middle school teams worldwide on September 20, 2024. Schools must register by February 28, 2025, and submit their videos by March 3, 2025.