High School New Venture Challenge

High School New Venture Challenge

 

The winning team performing in the 2024 High School New Venture Challenge

The High School New Venture Challenge (HSNVC)—powered by FirstBank is an exciting opportunity for Colorado high school students 
to dive into the world of innovation and entrepreneurship! Inspired by CU Boulder’s nationally recognized New Venture Challenge, 
the HSNVC empowers the next generation of innovators to develop bold ideas, sharpen their skills, and compete for scholarship funding. Whether you're a student ready to bring your ideas to life or a teacher looking to inspire your classroom, HSNVC is your gateway to entrepreneurial experience, creative problem-solving and real-world impact. 

  • Open to all Colorado high school students 

  • $25,000+ in scholarships to CU Boulder 

  • Participation is free 

Register for program updates

About HSNVC

  • The High School New Venture Challenge (HSNVC) is an entrepreneurial competition specifically designed to empower high school students and ignite innovation and across Colorado.
  • Whether interested in solving world problems, preparing for college, starting a business, or excelling in a future vocation - this challenge equips students with the tools, confidence, and mindset to succeed.
  • Educators can offer this transformative opportunity in conjunction with existing curriculum or extracurricular activities. It’s a perfect fit with STEM, CTE, DECA, FBLA, JA, etc., or can be offered independently from a specific program.
  • At its core, HSNVC is about access—opening doors for all high school students across Colorado, with a special focus on first-generation students and rural and underserved communities.
  • Any high school student who is enrolled or homeschooled in Colorado.
  • All students are required to have a supporting teacher or adult community member to serve as a “Venture Coach” and accompany them through the learning process.
  • Venture Coaches do not need to be affiliated with a school. They can be any responsible adult leader such as a mentor, nonprofit affiliate, coach, counselor, afterschool program facilitator or youth club supervisor.

Step 1: Educators or other adult leaders who are making this opportunity available to students must register for HSNVC as a "Venture Coach."  Venture Coaches will serve as the primary point of contact and guidance for student "Venture Teams." 

Step 2: Students form into Venture Teams to identify a real-world problem and collaboratively develop a solution. 

Step 3: Venture Team members explore, develop and refine their ideas by completing five learning stages (see Learning Process below) under the guidance of their Venture Coach. 

Step 4: Venture Teams prepare the required competition materials (see Competition Preparation below) and submit online to officially enter. 

Step 5: The HSNVC competition occurs in two rounds: 

  • HSNVC Round 1 is conducted virtually. Competition materials are submitted online and reviewed by a panel of expert judges to determine which teams are invited to move on to the final round. 
  • HSNVC Finals takes place in-person at the CU Boulder campus. Selected student finalists come together for an exciting and fun-filled day that includes lunch, a campus tour and presenting to a live audience and panel of judges. 

 

Rebekah Goldman and Evelyn "Evie" Hughes-Ulmer, winners of the 2025 High School New Venture Challenge

Rebekah Goldman and Evelyn "Evie" Hughes-Ulmer, winners of the 2025 High School New Venture Challenge. Photo: Hannah Howell.

HSNVC 2025 sparks statewide innovation

 

What happens when high school students are given a platform to dream, build, and lead? You spark something powerful—and that’s exactly what unfolded through this year’s High School New Venture Challenge (HSNVC). Read More

HSNVC FirstBank acknowledgement image

Questions?

Leah Jean Shafer
 

Leah Jean Shafer
leah.shafer@colorado.edu
(303) 735-1251

Join Us!

Teachers and Community Leaders:

Venture Coach Registration 

All Students:

Individual Student Registration 

Student CEOs (on behalf of your team):

Submit Competition Materials

Additional Resources

Additional Information

2025-26 Dates and Deadlines
Important Dates and Deadlines
  • Aug. 1 to Jan. 31 - Venture Coach and Student Initial Registration Open
  • Aug. 1 to March 25 – Entrepreneurial Learning Period
  • March 25 – Round 1 Competition Materials Due Online
  • March 26 to April 1 – Round 1 Competition Virtual Judging
  • April 2 – Finalists Announced
  • April 18  – Final Competition in-person at CU Boulder
Does it cost money to participate?

There is no fee to 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 Colorado to compete in HSNVC?

Yes. To participate in HSNVC, your team must be enrolled in high school or homeschooled in Colorado.

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. We generally suggest you refer to this helpful outline of the entrepreneurial Learning Process. Remember 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.

How many students can be on a Venture Team? 

1-6 students. 

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 a team, start working on their solution and formulate a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

Stage 3:  Customer Discovery & Validation

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

Stage 4:  Product & Pitch Development

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

Stage 5:  Venture Registration & Deliverables Preparation

  • Students 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 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) 

Thanks for supporting the next generation of innovators!

FirstBank logo

Additional Opportunities

Explore these additional opportunities to gain entrepreneurial experience: