Our Programs

View a list of all upcoming programs and events below. Click on each listing to learn more and register.

Click to download a copy of our 2022-2023 Program Guide.

All VYEF programs are available free of charge. Educators may register for VYEF events electronically through the website with availability based on a first come first served basis. Certain programs are targeted to specific audiences and schools. Limited grants for transportation expenses are available to non-VYEF schools.

Covid-19 Mask Information for Events

The Veale Foundation will adhere to each venue’s individual mask mandates for events held at their locations in accordance with the CDC’s current Recommendations for Indoor and Outdoor Settings. Notification of current Covid-19 masking policies for venues will be shared with event participants in our event communications prior to the event and at sign-in tables. Please email us at programs@VealeFound.org with any questions.

Fall 2022

Dare to Dream

The Dare to Dream Retreat leverages entrepreneurship to instill confidence, empower vulnerability, and enable young men and women to take one step toward making their dream a reality. This year’s events will feature interactive programs and expand to three modules that help build essential entrepreneurial skills. The Dare to Dream Retreat is held in partnership with John Carroll University’s entrepreneurship program.

Location: John Carroll University

Dates: Monday, November 7 (for young women) or Tuesday, November 8 (for young men and women), 2022

Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge

This high energy event is designed to simulate the excitement of a real-life trading floor. Teams of 4 to 5 students will learn to work together, leverage each other’s strengths, and use critical thinking skills while analyzing news articles and data during a high stakes and fierce competition.

Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

Date: Friday, December 2, 2022

Spring 2023

thinkBIG! Challenge

An online business plan competition open to all high school students in Northeast Ohio, offering more than $9,000 in prizes. Semifinalists will be invited to attend an Executive Coaching Day and receive guidance from entrepreneurial professionals in the Cleveland business community. The Final 4 teams will compete live at the thinkBIG! Summit in March.

Deadline for entries: January 3, 2023 (Online)

Semifinalists announced: January 13, 2023 (Online)

Executive Coaching Days: January 27-28, 2023

Location: Sears think[box] at Case Western Reserve University

Finalists’ live pitch competition: March 7, 2023

Location: Tinkham Veale University Center (CWRU)

Design Challenge Hackathon

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 work in teams to do user validation, develop a business model, and create a minimally viable product. Teams will pitch what they built to the community and judges, with prizes awarded to winning teams.

Location: Baldwin Wallace University

Dates: February 3, 2023, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm

VYEF Skill Building Workshop Day

Entrepreneurial organizations will set up skill-building sessions to train student groups throughout the day. Students will have the opportunity to enhance skill sets in multiple areas of entrepreneurship, network with like-minded students from different schools, and make connections with various stakeholders in the community.

Workshop sessions will include design, pitching, leadership, small business information, and many more topics.

Location: Cleveland State University

Date/Time: February 8, 2023, 8:30 AM to 1:15 PM

ThinkBIG! Summit

Inspirational, one-day conference featuring panels of national and local Gen Z and millennial entrepreneurs, a mini-maker hackathon, the Final 4 thinkBIG! Challenge pitches, awards, prizes, networking and more.

The Summit is open to all students, whether or not they compete in the thinkBIG! Challenge.

Location: Tinkham Veale University Center (CWRU)

Date: Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 9:00 am-1:30 pm

Year Round

Upcycle: Enterprise

Upcycle: Enterprise allows students to explore social entrepreneurship through creative lessons, hands-on prototyping and an opportunity to pitch ideas. Schools can select to participate in a field trip to Upcycle Parts Shop. The two-hour field trip + innovation session focuses on creativity, innovation, developing quick design from upcycled materials, and student report-backs and pitches on prototypes.

Location: Upcycle Parts Shop

Date: Year Round

THINKfest On-Demand

THINKfest On-Demand features an online video lesson and activity designed to inspire high school students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and to recognize, develop, and pitch business ideas.

Location: Virtual

Date: Year Round

Completed Programs

Fall Educator Workshop

Meeting featuring pertinent hands-on information and networking for high school entrepreneurship educators.

Location: Cleveland Rocks and Flux Makerspace

Date: Thursday, September 22, 2022, 4:30-6:30 pm

Think⦍box⦎ Week

The Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum is partnering with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) to offer one-day workshops at Think[box], CWRU’s 50,000 square- foot- center for innovation and entrepreneurship. Five schools (one per day) will be invited to tour the center and participate in a workshop that will teach and train students in engineering skills through a design thinking process using curriculum developed by CWRU. Students will create a physical product and will have an introduction to design process, 3D printing and laser cutting.

This program is targeted to schools that have not visited this facility at CWRU.

Location: Sears think[box] at Case Western Reserve University

Date: October 2022

Thinkfest

Created in partnership with John Carroll University entrepreneurship program and steered by Dr. Jeffrey Stamp, this lively, interactive program is designed to inspire high school students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and to recognize, develop and pitch business ideas. Program is one day in length. Educators choose which date to attend.

*The content of this program is similar to what was provided last year. Attendance should be targeted at students who have not participated in this event in prior years.