Celebrating and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset
Through a collaborative network of educators, business leaders and collegiate-level resources, VYEF offers free programs and experiences that allow students to think creatively and analytically, recognize business opportunities, take initiative, solve problems, persist through failure, communicate persuasively, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
VYEF Upcoming Programs
Stock Market Challenge
Friday, December 8 or Wednesday, April 24
This high energy event is designed to simulate the excitement of a real-life trading floor. Teams of 4 to 5 students learn to work together, leverage each other’s strengths, and use critical thinking skills while analyzing news articles and data during a fierce high-stakes competition.
Skill Building Workshop
Wednesday, January 24
The Skill Building Workshop will provide students the opportunity to learn a variety of skill sets that contribute to an entrepreneurial mindset. Join us for this interactive, engaging, and experiential learning opportunity. This year we welcome Alysha Ellis (founder of Mas LaRae & co-founder of FutureLAND), Ethan Holmes (founder of Holmes Mouthwatering Applesauce), Nathan Minns (founder of Green Light Improv), and Lucas King (Startup Specialist at Brite Energy Innovators).
Hackathon
Thursday, February 8
The Design Challenge Hackathon will allow students to learn a series of skill sets through workshops, mentorship, and curriculum provided and facilitated by GiveBackHack, an organization which brings people together to develop sustainable solutions to pressing social issues. Students will have the opportunity to pitch their own idea or join another team to work with through the event.
thinkBIG! Challenge
Tuesday, January 16
An online business plan competition open to all high school students in Northeast Ohio, offering $9,000 in prizes. Finalists are invited to attend virtual Executive Coaching and receive guidance from entrepreneurial professionals in the Cleveland business community. The Final 6 teams will compete live at the thinkBIG! Summit on March 5, 2024.
thinkBIG! Summit
Tuesday, March 5
The thinkBIG! Summit provides a climactic close to the annual thinkBIG! Challenge by providing a platform for the Final Challenge teams to pitch their ideas. The finalists present to a panel of volunteer judges as part of the full-day conference on the campus of Case Western Reserve University.
VYEF Year Round Programs
How it works: Click on the program you are interested in attending and fill out the Registration Form. We’ll contact you to get you scheduled! All programs are free and offer a $250 transportation reimbursement grant to non-forum schools.