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Igniting the Next Generation of Innovator: $25K in Scholarships Available for HSNVC 2026

Are you ready to inspire the next generation of changemakers? Registration is now open for CU Boulder's third annual High School New Venture Challenge (HSNVC)—powered by FirstBank. 

Leah Jean Shafer, program manager of CU Boulder's Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative

What is HSNVC?

HSNVC is specifically designed to bring entrepreneurial learning and innovative mindsets to high school students across Colorado, with a particular focus on rural, underserved and 1st generation students. This one-of-a-kind program is open to ALL high school students in CO (including home schooled students) and offers: 

  • $25,000+ in scholarships to CU Boulder

  • Hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and innovation

  • Development of critical real-world problem-solving, strategic and leadership skills 

Whether students in your community dream of starting a business, solving world challenges or excelling in their future vocations—this challenge equips them with the tools, confidence and mindset to succeed. 

HSNVC is a great fit for a wide variety of learning environments—including STEM, CTE, DECA, FBLA, and JA—or it can be offered as a stand-alone opportunity. If you are a teacher, mentor or community leader, you can bring this life-changing experience to students both inside and outside of the classroom! Click here for the easy-to-share one-page 2026 HSNVC Flyer.

This year, we’re expanding across the state and are excited to connect with: 

  • Students or teams who might be excited to participate

  • Educators, administrators or extracurricular leaders who may be open to integrating this into their programming 

Registration

The initial registration is easy and a preliminary idea is all that's needed to sign up. Registration is open through Jan 31. Participants then have until March 25 to more fully develop the idea and prepare competition materials (a two-page executive summary plus a 4-minute video pitch). 

We'd like to make this rewarding program available to as many Colorado high school students as possible... so please share this opportunity with your colleagues, schools and networks.  Let’s work together to inspire the next generation of innovators and create pathways to higher education and workforce success.  

Thank you for your support in shaping Colorado’s future leaders!