The InVenture programs provide entrepreneurial and career-readiness, after-school, and summer programs for urban youth in economically disadvantaged communities.

The cause of long-term poverty is typically identified as a lack of opportunity – inadequate educational opportunities, lack of job training, inability to afford or find child care, no transportation or discrimination. The solution is to supply opportunities like the InVenture program.

Teachers and mentors guide students in creating and transforming business ideas into viable business plans through the creation of goods or services. A partnership with the Chattanooga Public Library will allow students to sell their products, thereby providing the students with income. The primary goals of the program are to help students learn practical business skills while teaching them adaptability, persistence, and problem-solving.

Programs include: TEC Box, InVenture Day, and Social Entrepreneurship

TEC Box (1st through 5th Grades)
Tinker. Explore. Create. (TEC) Box is an experiential learning and movement activity that engages students, encourages them to think for themselves, work hard, and ultimately learn more. TEC Box was developed to introduce kids to the idea of entrepreneurship; encourage active listening that leads to empathy, facilitates creative problem solving, and focus on the non-technical aspects of entrepreneurship. Through the TEC Box program, your students will engage with entrepreneurship and utilize their innovative spark!

 

Inventure Day for Middle School Youth (Middle School)
Using innovation and creation, InVenture Day youth develop teams to create a unique business around a given product. Teams move through the INVENTURE Factory and complete challenges that work to develop their business idea. At the end of the assembly line, teams present their ideas to local business mentors. For each INVENTURE Day, a winning team is chosen and awarded a cash prize.

 

Social Entrepreneurship Learn and Earn Pilot Program

Social Entrepreneurship Learn and Earn Pilot program focuses on practical work kids can do in their own communities. This program leads them through the ideation and creation of a business and develop a marketing plan. The Social Entrepreneurship curriculum is an excellent opportunity to reach young people, and enable them to explore and create opportunities for themselves while supporting their community.