High School New Venture Challenge
What is HSNVC?
The High School New Venture Challenge (HSNVC) is a multi-round entrepreneurial competition for young innovators and problem-solvers. Hosted by the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ· Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative, the competition is open to high school students across Colorado in support of entrepreneurial learning, pathways to higher education, workforce readiness, and life skills development.
Participation is free of charge and student teams have the opportunity to compete for more than $20,000 in scholarship funding to apply towards future tuition at CU!
With a particular focus on rural and underserved communities, HSNVC seeks to reduce socioeconomic barriers, increase accessibility, and provide both resources and inspiration for college and career readiness.ÌýÌý
HSNVC is designed to help the next generation of innovators to think creatively, identify opportunities, build confidence, and develop solutions to real-world challenges.
Educators/coaches can offer this opportunity in conjunction with existing curriculum (e.g. STEM, CTE, business, leadership, etc.), as a part of extracurricular activities (e.g. DECA, FBLA, JA, etc.), or engage independently without ties to a specific program.
Who can participate?
- Any Colorado high school student can compete in HSNVC.Ìý
- All students must have a supporting teacher or community member to serve as a ‘Venture Coach’ and accompany them through the learning process.
- Venture Coaches do not have to be affiliated with a school and can be any responsible adult leader such as a mentor, nonprofit affiliate, coach, counselor, afterschool program facilitator, youth club supervisor or counselor.
How does it work?
Educators or other adult leaders who are making this opportunity available to students must first register for HSNVC as a "Venture Coach."Ìý Venture Coaches will serve as the primary point of contact and guidance for student "Venture Teams."
Students form into Venture Teams (2-5 members) to identify a real-world problem and collaboratively develop a solution.ÌýVenture Teams will explore, refine and develop their ideas over the course of the school year.
HSNVC competition occurs in two rounds:
- Preliminary Competition will be conducted virtually. Competition materials will be submitted online and reviewed by a panel of professionals and educators to determine which teams are invited to the championship.
- HSNVC Championship will be held in-person at the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ· campus. Students will come to the CU campus for an exciting and fun-filled day that includes a campus tour, presenting to a live panel of judges and spectators, and a dinner an awards reception.Ìý
Questions?
Please contact:
Leah Shafer
leah.shafer@colorado.edu
(303) 735-1251
Ìý
Join Us!
Teachers and Community Leaders:
All Students:
Student CEOs (on behalf of your team):
Additional Resources
Competition Resources:
Additional Opportunities:
Additional competition opportunity:
Concurrent enrollment available in partnership with Regis University: contact Dr. Ken Sagendorf ksagendorf@regis.eduÌý