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 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!
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.