VentureLab IGNITE Social Innovation Challenge

Students will brainstorm ideas, form teams, build a prototype, get mentor feedback, and pitch to judges. No experience required.

Go From Zero to Entrepreneur in ONE day

This high-energy, hands-on experience is designed specifically for high school students who want to solve real issues facing their local and global community — and learn how to turn ideas into action. In under two days, participants will go through the same fast-paced process used in University Incubators compressed into an action-packed format that takes you from: idea → team → prototype → pitch.

You don’t need a business idea, coding skills, or business experience. Just show up ready to learn, create, and collaborate. No experience required.

What Students will do:​​​

​Day One

• Learn how real startups begin (even with zero experience)
• Explore a real community or global challenge
• Brainstorm ideas
• Conduct rapid research
• Build and test prototypes
• Develop a business model concept
• Learn how to pitch
• Get guidance + feedback from mentors

Showcase Day Two​

• Pitch your idea to a panel of judges​
• Network with peers and mentors
• Take a guided tour of Trinity University​
• Celebrate wins with awards and prizes.​

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What Students Experience (what's included)​

• Team-based challenges that move fast and stay fun
• Hands-on building (not lectures or worksheets)
• Real-world problem solving
• Mentorship + coaching from entrepreneurs and professionals
• Pitch practice and a final pitch showcase that builds confidence and courage​​​​
• A day-in-the life on a college campus
• $1500 in Awards and Prizes
• All meals provided

Who Should Attend​

​High School students who want to:

• Tackle real issues in your community and the world
• Solve problems and create meaningful solutions
• Explore entrepreneurship in a supportive environment
• Grow your confidence and build real world skills
• Explore ideas—or find business partners
• Network with other motivated students, mentors and community business leaders

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What Students will Walk Away With​

• A resume-ready experience for college, scholarship, and internship applications
• A pitch and a prototype: website, app, or physical prototype
• Skills in communication, collaboration, creativity, design thinking and entrepreneurship
• Skills to design solutions that create positive social impact
• Confidence to pursue & advocate for your ideas.....and have people listen
• Entrepreneurial mindsets to take risks, experiment, and learn from failure
• A new lens for what you’re capable of beyond the classroom and newly discovered possibilities for your future
• An entrepreneurial process that can be applied to any project or career
• A new network of friends, mentors and even business partners

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By the end of the day, you don’t just learn about entrepreneurship -- You ARE an entrepreneur.

For more detailed information and event schedule visit www.venturelabignite.org.