Welcome to the VentureLab blog, your hub for innovative entrepreneurial education resources and inspiration. Explore engaging ESTEAM articles, discover free educational resources (hands-on activities and downloads) , and get inspired by classroom and individual success stories from our community.
VentureLab celebrates Peter Gioia, CAPSA Manager at Mission: St. Louis Beyond School, whose passion for youth development is transforming lives through entrepreneurship education. From sparking creativity in hesitant students to inspiring persistence in young innovators like Timothy, Peter exemplifies the power of VentureLab programs and mindsets to prepare youth for success in school, career, and life.
VentureLab fully backs the release of $1.3 billion in 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding—restoring vital after-school and summer enrichment across 10,000+ U.S. programs. Our ESTEAM® curriculum (Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) directly fuels those opportunities by fueling hands-on learning and mentorship. We’re committed to ensuring this momentum continues so every youth can access creative, confidence-building programs
Discover how VentureLab educator Theresa Paterra elevated the Mooz Diner activity for grades 6–8 summer camp—adding pitch, marketing & customer‑service challenges, authentic community judges, and ESTEAM career insights.
VentureLab Certified Educator Johnny Rochell took the stage at OSTI-CON 2025 to share how entrepreneurship and family engagement can spark confidence in youth. His powerful story of a “hoodie moment” moved educators and offered actionable strategies to create similar transformative experiences in out-of-school-time programs.
Beyond School sparks young entrepreneurs! 🌟 K–8 students in St. Louis joined Mission: St. Louis’s 16-week “Beyond School” entrepreneurship program—teaming with VentureLab—pitching ideas like cleaning products and a wellness app to judges on May 8, 2025. This program builds resilience, community focus, and business smarts by helping kids prototype, pitch, and problem-solve in a fun, failure-friendly space.
Discover key insights and strategies from GEC 2025 on empowering youth entrepreneurship—real-world examples, inclusive ecosystems, and scaling impact.
Discover key insights and strategies from GEC 2025 on empowering youth entrepreneurship—real-world examples, inclusive ecosystems, and scaling impact.
Discover how VentureLab and Mission: St. Louis partnered on a 16-week after-school Idea to Pitch® Program, empowering 40+ students to prototype and pitch business ideas at a May 2025 youth entrepreneurship event.
Celebrate VentureLab alumni featured in Kelli Peterson’s Gen Z Teens Take Action book and discover how our ESTEAM® framework empowers youth innovation.
Dell Technologies volunteers came together to assemble VentureLab Program Activation Kits, helping bring entrepreneurship education to students across the U.S. Their support empowers educators and inspires youth innovation—one kit at a time.
Discover how Liz Nusken is transforming afterschool programs by integrating entrepreneurship education, fostering innovation, and building sustainable community partnerships.
Educators from across the country completed VentureLab’s Mindsets for Educators PD Program, an 8-week journey that nurtures personal growth, professional resilience, and collaborative learning through entrepreneurial mindset strategies.
On April 12, 2025, we welcomed over 200 supporters to Assembly Hall in Austin for VentureLab’s fourth annual Ready, Set, Startup! gala. Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Brown Advisory, and the support of attendees and sponsors, the evening was a great success—raising $215,000 to support youth entrepreneurship education.
Hidden Cove STEAM Academy, located in San Antonio, TX, offers a forward-thinking learning environment grounded in STEAM principles. Learn more about Hidden Cove STEAM Academy. The school’s mission is to deliver an innovative educational experience that meets the needs of modern learners. Their vision—Encourage Innovation, Embrace Non-Traditional Learning, and Elevate Student Outcomes—aligns closely with VentureLab’s mission to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets and skills in youth.
Kid Nation Inc.’s mission is simple, “We are a youth serving nonprofit organization designed to enrich, empower, and engage youth in a fun, safe environment.” Their goals are to help youth get a head start in their careers through exploration and learning, a boost in their academic performance, service projects to develop character and the means to improve college & job applications, and much more.
San Antonio educators experienced the joy of STEM through an entrepreneurial lens at the 2025 Alamo STEM Ecosystem Educator Conference. VentureLab’s interactive ESTEAM workshop showcased hands-on activities to cultivate creativity, problem-solving, and innovation in K-12 students. Learn how educators are integrating entrepreneurial mindsets into STEM education!