The Excitement Builds: 2026 High School New Venture Challenge Finals THIS SATURDAY!
It’s full steam ahead for the 2026 High School New Venture Challenge – powered by FirstBank, now part of PNC. After a highly competitive Round 1 virtual judging process, 24 standout teams have been selected from nearly 90 competitors to advance the 3rd annual HSNVC Final Competition at CU Boulder this Sunday, April 19.
From Idea to Impact: HSNVC Finalists Take the Stage
Bringing together students from 14 high schools across Colorado, the final round promises to be an exciting, high-energy and deeply inspiring day from start to finish. As Colorado’s ultimate innovation and entrepreneurship competition for high school students, the HSNVC gives students the opportunity to transform bold ideas into solutions that tackle real-world challenges while building confidence, creativity, problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial mindset along the way.
A Day of Innovation, Energy, and Impact
This immersive, all-day event will give semifinalist teams the chance to experience CU Boulder firsthand, including a campus tour and lunch at the Center for Community (C4C), before the day culminates in the highly anticipated Final Competition. That afternoon, the top six teams will advance to the championship round to compete for a share of $25,000 in scholarships to CU Boulder. As in years past, these scholarships help create meaningful pathways to college access and career readiness for the next generation of changemakers.
Come See the Next Generation of Innovators Firsthand!
The afternoon Finals round is open to the public from 1:30–3:30 p.m., and promises to be an amazing showcase of student innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and big ideas in action. During this live championship round, finalist teams will pitch to a live audience and a panel of expert judges in one of the most exciting and inspiring moments of the entire program cycle.
We warmly encourage everyone to attend—and to bring family, friends, colleagues, students and anyone who believes in the power of young people and bold ideas. This is a chance to cheer on Colorado’s next generation of innovators and witness firsthand the creativity, courage and hard work these students have poured into bringing their ventures to life. It will be a powerful and uplifting afternoon, and we would love to pack the room with community support.
Now in its third year, HSNVC continues to build momentum statewide, opening doors for students across Colorado—including those from rural, first-generation and historically underserved communities—and equipping them with real-world tools to solve problems, think boldly and shape a better future.
Come join us on April 19 and help celebrate these incredible students.