Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation Program
The Venture Entrepreneurial Program offers students in grades 3-12 the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills through a well-structured program. Grounded in biblical worldview principles, the program emphasizes real-world applications and fosters collaborative learning within the student community. This adaptable program can be efficiently implemented in schools of any size or grade level, providing a meaningful and engaging educational experience.
Upper Elementary (ACSI members and non-members, including global national, international, and U.S. schools): Purchase materials and resources to facilitate in-school programs.
Middle School (ACSI members* and non-members, including global national, international, and U.S. schools): Purchase materials and resources to facilitate in-school programs.
*Only ACSI member schools can register for the live-digital pitch competition.
High School (ACSI members* and non-members, including global national, international, and U.S. schools): Purchase materials and resources to facilitate in-school programs.
*Only ACSI member schools can register for the in-person competition on a university campus.
Elementary Students
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
- Comprehensive Program Manual
- 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.
Middle School Students
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
- Comprehensive Program Manual
- 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 purchases the Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation Middle School Program can register to compete in the International Virtual Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation Middle School Challenge, a live digital competition held on April 14-15, 2025 (your school will be assigned to only one day of competition). You must register your students to compete by February 18, 2025.
High School Students
International Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation High School Challenge
Date: April 4-5, 2025
Location: Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ
ACSI Student Leadership & Learning partners with Grand Canyon University to provide the International Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation High School Challenge for grades 9-12. This in-person entrepreneurial challenge is designed not only to showcase your students' pitch talents but also to provide an immersive entrepreneurial experience.
Schools will use the Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation High School Program to guide students in a project-based entrepreneurial learning experience rooted in a biblical worldview. 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.
The program contains everything you need to facilitate your students in:
- 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.
The learning experience will culminate in an in-school pitch challenge celebrating ingenuity and innovation. Schools will use their in-school pitch challenge to decide which students/teams are ready to compete against other high school students in the International Venture Entrepreneurial Innovation High School Challenge at GCU. Click the registration button below to learn more about this exciting competition!
Is your school designated as an international or global national school, or located in Canada, Hawaii, or Alaska? You have the opportunity to compete in the International Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation High School Challenge virtually. Click the registration button below to find out more!
Register to Compete at GCU 8/29/24-1/8/25
Unable to travel to GCU for the competition, but still interested in bringing the Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation High School Program to your school? Click the link below to learn more about the program and purchase it for implementation at your school.
ACSI Student Leadership & Learning: SLL@acsi.org
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