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 CU Boulder Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative, the competition is open to high school students across babyÖ±²¥app 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 sociobabyÖ±²¥app 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 babyÖ±²¥app 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 CU Boulder 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

Learn More about HSNVC

2024-25 Dates and Deadlines
Important Dates and Deadlines
  • Aug. 1 to Jan. 31 -
  • Jan. 31 – Registration Deadline
  • Aug. 1 to March 18 – Entrepreneurial Learning Period
  • March 18Ìý– Preliminary Competition Materials Due Online
  • March 19-April 1 – Preliminary Competition Virtual Judging
  • April 1 – Championship Finalists Announced
  • April 12ÌýÌý– Final Championship in-person at CU Boulder
Does it cost money to participate?

There is no feeÌýto participate in HSNVC.

Where are the HSNVC competitions held?

The first round of competition will be offered online. The final competition will be held in person at the CU Boulder campus.

Do I have to be in babyÖ±²¥app to compete in HSNVC?

Yes. To participate in HSNVC, your team must be enrolled in high school or homeschooled in babyÖ±²¥app.

Does the scholarship money have to be applied toward tuition at CU Boulder?

Yes. The scholarships are valid for CU Boulder tuition only.

Is there a specific curriculum we need to follow?

No, students may proceed through the learning process at a pace/sequence that best works for them. Just be sure to follow the provided rubric as a guideline and submit the requested materials online and on time!

Is there curriculum support available if I need it?

Yes, Please contact: leah.shafer@colorado.edu for more information.

Venture Coaches and Venture Teams are welcome to navigate through the learning process in a manner that best fits their needs, backgrounds, resources and goals. During the months leading up to the competition, we generally recommend that coaches and teams engage in the following:

Stage 1: Exploration & Problem Identification

  • Students begin by thinking creatively to identify problems and potential solutions.

Stage 2: Creation & Solution Development

  • Students form into team of 2-5 individuals, start working on their solution, and formulate a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

Stage 3:Ìý Customer Discovery & Validation

  • Students engage in widespread customer discovery to validate and refine their ideas.

Stage 4:Ìý Product & Pitch Development

  • Students turn their MVP into a real product or service and start building their pitch.

Stage 5:Ìý Venture Registration & Deliverables Preparation

  • Students create and refine their pitch and gear up for competition.

Coaches and teams will receive competition rubric in advance to use as a guide. Judges use this same rubric to nominate top teams and award prizes, so it is important to follow it closely.

Teams submit the following materials online (detailed instructions will be provided):

  • Venture Profile
  • Executive Summary (2 pages)
  • Pitch Video (4-minute length)Ìý