Why Empathy Matters in Entrepreneurship Education
Empathy isn’t just a “soft skill.” It’s a measurable driver of creativity and idea generation.
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This Is Where Bold Youth Ideas Win Big: Introducing the Mott Million Dollar Challenge
VentureLab is thrilled to help spread the word about the Mott Million Dollar Challenge, a once in a lifetime national pitch competition for kids and teens in grades K–12.
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VentureLab at San Antonio Startup Week: Elevating the Next Generation of Founders
VentureLab’s commitment to amplifying youth voice and championing entrepreneurial learning was on full display at San Antonio Startup Week this year. We were thrilled to be a central part of the celebration, presenting five impactful events that bridged the gap between today’s thriving startup community and the young founders of tomorrow.
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Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2025: Youth Entrepreneurship Strategies
Discover key insights and strategies from GEC 2025 on empowering youth entrepreneurship—real-world examples, inclusive ecosystems, and scaling impact.
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VentureLab Alumni Featured in ‘Gen Z Teens Take Action’
Celebrate VentureLab alumni featured in Kelli Peterson’s Gen Z Teens Take Action book and discover how our ESTEAM® framework empowers youth innovation.
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Ready, Set, Startup! 2025: A Night to Remember
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.
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VentureLab Partner Spotlight: Nebraska’s Beyond School Bells
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.
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Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets and Skills: Celebrating VentureLab’s Fall 2024 Missouri Mentorship Cohort
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.
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Middle Schoolers Create Their Own Career Paths in San Antonio
VentureLab’s Career Exploration & Innovation program at Agnes Cotton Academy in San Antonio helped middle school students shape their futures. Over 15 weeks, students engaged in hands-on activities, connected with professionals, and presented career research projects in a community showcase. Learn how this program boosts career awareness, digital skills, and critical thinking.
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Students Take Center Stage in New Entrepreneurship Initiative by VentureLab and Saint Louis University
This summer, VentureLab and Saint Louis University (SLU) partnered to create an inspiring entrepreneurship experience for young innovators in St. Louis. Through the Allsup Summer Camp, students engaged in VentureLab’s “Idea to Pitch” program, developing critical entrepreneurial skills, participating in innovation challenges, and presenting their ideas in a pitch competition. This collaboration highlights our shared commitment to empowering youth and fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs.
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Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs in Illinois
Discover how a nonprofit agency in Springfield, IL empowers low-income and minority high school students to become entrepreneurs. Through a 17-week afterschool program, underserved students gain skills for successful business models. With VentureLab’s Idea to Pitch program, they improve public speaking and embrace failure. TSP staff drive curiosity and collaboration for engaging STEM learning. The program culminates in a student showcase, and 90% report increased STEM interest.
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Creating STEM- Confident Kids Through Entrepreneurial Learning
At VentureLab, we’ve taught entrepreneurial concepts to hundreds of girls—and boys. Our ESTEAM curriculum combines science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics with entrepreneurship, helping students identify needs, create solutions, and take calculated risks. This hands-on approach encourages creativity, problem-solving, and confidence, preparing them for future success in STEAM fields. Discover how our programs inspire the next generation of innovative leaders.
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ESTEAM: 6 Ways to View STEAM Through an Entrepreneurial Lens
When youth are exposed to entrepreneurial thinking, a profound change takes place. They become more aware of opportunities around them, develop powerful problem-solving skills, and improve their abilities to think critically and creatively. VentureLab believes that innovation and discovery happen at the intersection of multiple disciplines- we call it ESTEAM (entrepreneurship, science, technology, engineering, arts, and math).
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Ready, Set, Startup! was a Success
Join us as we reflect on the success of VentureLab’s Ready, Set, Startup! event, where over $250,000 was raised to support youth entrepreneurship. Highlights included a standout pitch from the Kids Team, featuring their innovative smoothie-making bicycle, which showcased the power of young creativity in entrepreneurship.
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Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators: Anjana’s Journey with VentureLab
Explore Anjana’s journey with VentureLab, a testament to how we’re supporting future leaders. This story exemplifies our commitment to nurturing young entrepreneurial talent, providing them with the skills and confidence to innovate and lead in tomorrow’s business world. Join us in empowering the next generation of changemakers.
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Global Entrepreneurship Week: Celebrating and Elevating Young Entrepreneurs 🌟
VentureLab is dedicated to fostering young innovators like Erin, whose entrepreneurial journey is a shining example of our mission in action. Join us during Global Entrepreneurship Week to support our campaign, aiming to raise $10,000 by December 31st, enhanced by a generous matching challenge from Cirrus Logic. Your donation now counts twice, fueling the entrepreneurial dreams of young minds and securing a future filled with diverse leaders. Help us empower more youth to transform their dreams into tangible successes.
