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.
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!
VentureLab’s 2024 Annual Report highlights a year of progress in entrepreneurial education, with 76% of students enhancing their skills under the ESTEAM approach. The report celebrates significant educator advances and impactful student success stories.
Empowering young minds to dream big and achieve more, Adam Rodriguez, an 8th-grade math teacher at Agnes Cotton Academy in San Antonio ISD, is making waves in education. As a VentureLab Certified Educator, Adam uses the Career Exploration and Innovation Program to help students discover their passions and turn them into actionable plans for the future. From guiding a student toward an automotive vocational program to inspiring countless others, Adam’s dedication and innovative approach are transforming lives. Learn how he’s shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs and changemakers!
Meet Jeremy Manginell, a VentureLab Certified Educator and Manager of SA Youth’s SOAR Program in San Antonio, Texas. Jeremy is transforming lives through entrepreneurship education, helping high school students earn diplomas, gain vital problem-solving skills, and plan their futures. With over 20 years in education, his work with unhoused youth and underserved communities is creating lasting change.
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!
Discover how Beyond School Bells, in partnership with VentureLab, is transforming out-of-school education in Nebraska. By nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets, they inspire youth and educators to embrace creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. Learn about their groundbreaking initiatives like the Think, Make, Create Labs and how they’re fostering a culture of innovation statewide. Join the movement and explore how entrepreneurial learning can revolutionize educational programming.
VentureLab is proud to spotlight Tanya Crawford, a 4-H Youth Development Professional in Nebraska, and her milestone achievement of becoming a 2024 VentureLab Certified Educator. Her leadership and enthusiasm for entrepreneurial learning are making an impact on local York and Polk County youth, fellow educators, and the greater 4-H Nebraska community.
Join us on April 12, 2025, for VentureLab’s fourth annual fundraising gala, Ready, Set, Startup!, at Assembly Hall in East Austin. Celebrate and support the next generation of diverse innovators through an exciting evening of activities, including a fan-favorite ‘Shark Tank’ style competition.
VentureLab partnered with CIS Central Texas and AmeriCorps to host an inspiring Career Exploration and Innovation training for Austin-area educators. Through hands-on activities, participants explored entrepreneurial mindsets like creativity, resilience, and problem-solving, equipping them to empower the next generation of changemakers.
VentureLab’s Fall 2024 Missouri Mentorship Cohort showcases how entrepreneurial education empowers youth. Learn how three young founders developed crucial mindsets like adaptability and resourcefulness while building their startups, supported by mentors and the Missouri Afterschool Network.
As an educator, you’re always on the lookout for engaging, hands-on activities that can help your students develop essential entrepreneurial skills and mindsets. Look no further than our brand-new “Mindset Scavenger Hunt” resource! This downloadable PDF is designed to help students in grades K-8 (but can be easily adapted for any age group) explore and practice the key entrepreneurial mindsets that are the foundation of VentureLab’s innovative ESTEAM approach.
Practice entrepreneurial thinking this Thanksgiving with VentureLab’s fun and engaging printables! Our “Thankful Turkey” and “Mindset Feather” activities are great for kids and families to share what they’re grateful for while learning key entrepreneurial traits. Download the free printables and bring creativity and connection to your Thanksgiving celebration!