About the Spark program:
The Spark Mentorship & Materials Program is designed to help youth entrepreneurs grow their existing business ideas. Ideal for ages 8 to 18, Spark is recommended for Outside School Time (OST) programs, including afterschool, camps, summer sessions, 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC), extended learning, existing STEM programs, and other enrichment and supplementary programs.
Who is Spark For?
- Existing Programs: Spark is tailored for organizations, schools, and programs that already have a youth entrepreneurship initiative in place and are looking to take their students’ entrepreneurial skills to the next level.
- Program Enhancement: The program provides materials for mentors, advanced materials, and resources to deepen the impact of your current entrepreneurship curriculum, helping students refine their business ideas and entrepreneurial mindsets.
What Spark Offers
- Advanced Resources: Specialized materials and activities to enhance existing youth entrepreneurship programs.
- Program Support: VentureLab trains & supports community mentors to support youth entrepreneurs to take steps to grow their business
- Networking Opportunities: Facilitates connections with industry professionals and subject matter experts.
- Culminating Events: Supports the organization of pitch events and showcases to highlight student achievements.
Past Spark Graduates
Spark Youth Pitches
Spark Focuses on Enhancing Existing Programs:
If you are looking to start a new youth entrepreneurship program, we recommend exploring our Idea to Pitch program, which is designed to help educators and organizations establish foundational entrepreneurship education for students.
By focusing on enhancing existing programs, Spark ensures that students receive the most impactful and advanced entrepreneurial education possible, building on the solid foundation already in place.
Curriculum
The Spark Mentorship Program includes time with VentureLab to create a custom and flexible curriculum.
Student Journal
(printed or digital)
This contains the student facing resources for the program. The print version contains all the session outlines & optional activities. In the digital guide, session links are also provided as "stand alone".
Digital Mentor Guide
This contains a program overview, resource links to student materials, mentor session outlines.
Spark Mentorship Notes Spreadsheet:
This resource is where you can keep track of important dates, student notes and materials.
Professional Development
Mentors are provided with:
Training: 2 hours and virtual, unlimited seating
Scheduling: Custom schedule to fit your needs
Coaching: Up to four 60-minute coaching sessions during the program
I'm not crying. You're crying. Thank you VentureLab for providing world-class entrepreneurial education to kids & for allowing me the opportunity to be a mentor. So happy to see these graduation highlights. Our future is brighter because of these kids.
Bring Spark to Your Youth
If you have an existing youth entrepreneurship program and are interested in bringing Spark to your students, please fill out the contact form below to get started.
Our team will be in touch to discuss how Spark can elevate your program and provide the support you need to inspire the next generation of diverse innovators and changemakers.
Contact VentureLab to get started:
Frequently Asked Questions about Spark
No. The program recruits adults from the community.
No. The most effective mentors have a background in working with youth in some capacity and understand the principles of positive youth development.