Colorado High Schoolers Win $25K for Bold Business Ideas

Young minds across Colorado are proving that big solutions can come from unexpected places.

Eighty-seven teams of high school students competed in the 2026 High School New Venture Challenge Finals on April 19, pitching innovative business ideas for a shot at $25,000 in CU Boulder scholarships. The competition brought together students from 14 regional schools, with six finalist teams presenting their ventures to judges and a live audience.

The grand prize of $10,000 went to AquaPuck, a smart device from Kent Denver School students that attaches to water bottles and tracks hydration through a Bluetooth app. Other finalists included GIFD, a platform that lets people donate unused restaurant loyalty points to teachers, and InternBridge, an AI tool that matches students with internship opportunities.

The ideas reflected challenges students see in their own lives. Stargate Charter School students noticed teachers often go unappreciated, so they created a way to turn unused rewards into meaningful gifts. Epic Campus students watched skiers struggle with heavy equipment and designed a lightweight carrying sling from recycled materials.

Now in its third year, the High School New Venture Challenge focuses on reaching rural and underserved communities across Colorado. Participation is completely free, removing financial barriers that might keep talented students from exploring entrepreneurship. Nearly 60 judges volunteered their time across three competition levels, with 24 teams advancing to semifinals held on the CU Boulder campus.

The Ripple Effect

This program does more than award scholarships. It builds confidence in young people who might never have considered themselves entrepreneurs or future business leaders.

Students from Denver Jewish Day School, Littleton High School, and the Venture Academy of Leadership and Entrepreneurship joined the finalist ranks alongside their peers. Each team received mentorship, feedback from industry professionals, and real-world pitching experience that will serve them regardless of their career paths.

FirstBank, now part of PNC, serves as the program's backbone sponsor. Their continued support allows the challenge to expand annually, reaching more schools and students each year. Program manager Leah Jean Shafer credits an ever-growing network of judges, mentors, educators and volunteers who pour energy into supporting these young innovators.

Registration for the 2027 competition opens in August, promising even more students the chance to turn their ideas into action.

These teens aren't just dreaming about the future—they're building it, one pitch at a time.