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.
May 15, 2025
News and Events
Stay connected with the pulse of VentureLab news and events. Here, we share our latest organizational updates, collaborations, and milestones. Dive into stories that showcase how we’re transforming lives and communities by making entrepreneurial learning accessible to everyone. From spotlighting our generous sponsors to highlighting engaging events and impactful campaigns, this section is your gateway to understanding VentureLab’s dynamic role in shaping a future where every child can be an innovator and changemaker. Join us in celebrating our journey and get inspired to be part of the movement that’s empowering the next generation with the skills to lead and innovate.
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.
April 23, 2025
2025 Utah Afterschool Network Northern Recharge Workshop: Lessons to Legacies
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!
April 15, 2025
San Antonio Educators Find the Joy of STEM through an Entrepreneurial Lens
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!
March 3, 2025
VentureLab’s Annual “Ready, Set, Startup!” Gala Gathers Austin Community to Help Bring Entrepreneurship Education to Underrepresented Youth
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.
January 30, 2025
VentureLab Partners with Schools of Central Texas (CISCT) AmeriCorps
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.
January 21, 2025
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.
December 18, 2024
Celebrate National Entrepreneurship Month: Partnering with Mizzen Education to Inspire Young Innovators
November is National Entrepreneurship Month, and VentureLab is partnering with Mizzen Education to provide three weeks of inspiring youth entrepreneurship resources. These engaging activities for grades 1-12 foster creativity, resilience, and problem-solving, empowering the next generation of innovators. Explore our collections on Mizzen’s platform to help young trailblazers thrive!
November 6, 2024
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.
August 13, 2024
Empowering Young Entrepreneurs Across America with VentureLab Hubs
VentureLab is excited to announce the launch of our VentureLab Hubs initiative, a strategic expansion of K-12 entrepreneurship programming in key cities across the United States. These Hubs are dynamic centers aimed at fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and skills among youth, creating vibrant ecosystems of innovation and creativity. Currently established in San Antonio, St. Louis, and Salt Lake City, these Hubs build on successful existing programs, supported by dedicated funding and local staff. Join us in empowering the next generation of changemakers and creating a brighter, more innovative future for all.
July 30, 2024
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.
April 17, 2024
VentureLab Celebrates National Mentorship Month with a Spotlight on Spark 2023 Graduates
Join us in celebrating National Mentorship Month with VentureLab’s Spark 2023 Graduates. Explore the transformative journey of young entrepreneurs nurtured through our Spark Startup Materials & ESTEAM® Mentorship Program.
January 30, 2024
Sponsor Shoutout: Cirrus Logic Showcases Generosity with VentureLab 🌟
Cirrus Logic’s Women’s Leadership Team joined forces with VentureLab on Giving Tuesday, assembling classroom kits to empower under-resourced communities. Their dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in young minds highlights the impact of community support in education.
January 12, 2024
Press Release: VentureLab Announces Third Annual “Ready, Set, Startup!” Gala to Launch K-12 Girls into Entrepreneurship
Don’t miss VentureLab’s “Ready, Set, Startup!” gala on April 6, 2024, at Atlassian, East Austin. Join us for an evening of community, innovation, and support for youth entrepreneurship education.
December 20, 2023
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.
November 13, 2023
Introducing Entrepreneurship + Agriculture Program: Where STEM Meets Agriculture
Announcing our Entrepreneurship + Agriculture program, blending ESTEAM (Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education with agricultural challenges. This initiative empowers students to tackle local food system issues with an entrepreneurial and STEM-focused approach. Furthermore, educators are equipped with resources and training to inspire the next generation of diverse problem solvers.
October 23, 2023