More than 275 Colorado high school students are attending Junior Achievement (JA) Business Week, presented by Arrow Electronics, Inc., held at Johnson & Wales University in Denver from June 8 to 13. These 9th through 12th grade students are part of a growing group of young innovators who are anxious to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to the business world. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Colorado is the second best state for entrepreneurship and innovation. Students’ level of interest in JA Business Week suggests the potential for Colorado’s entrepreneurial nature to continue long-term.
Despite the fact that Millennials have long admired the entrepreneurial spirit, they also want to be certain to make wise investments with their time and money. A recent survey by JA USA found that 25% of teens wish they could start their own business but are not willing to take the risk.
JA Business Week is a unique program that allows students to explore leadership concepts and build confidence alongside more than 120 of Denver’s most dynamic and accomplished business leaders. In addition to interactive workshops on marketing, business ethics and budgeting, the week culminates in a “Shark Tank”-style competition. Student teams gain first-hand experience in teams to develop marketing and business concepts for OtterBox, a Colorado-based global innovator of protective solutions for mobile technology.
More than half of the students attend JA Business Week on full scholarship thanks to our sponsors including presenting sponsor, Arrow Electronics, Inc.
“Junior Achievement Business Week demonstrates what Arrow does every day: We guide innovators forward,” said Kevin Manzo, vice president of finance at Arrow Electronics and member of the Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain Board of Directors. “Five years out, many of these Business Week students will be entering the marketplace. The skills and insights they develop here will help them become the next innovators.”
Presenting Sponsor: Arrow Electronics, Inc.
Project Sponsor: OtterBox and the OtterCares Foundation
eSummit Sponsor: Accenture
Program and Workshop Sponsors:
Go Daddy
Hanover Insurance
Nelnet
Richey May
Sherman & Howard
SM Energy
Western Union
Etiquette Dinner and Mocktails Sponsors:
First Western Financial
JW Marriot Cherry Creek
Sage Hospitality
Student Scholarships:
Edward Madigan Foundation
EEO Legal Solutions
PeyBack Foundation
Schlessman Family Foundation
Scott Moore
Solstice Foundation
