The 20th Annual What’s Your Big Idea? Entrepreneurship Contest Awards Ceremony showcased a multitude of innovation and talent. This year’s contest recognized over 600 student finalists and awarded 33 top winners.
In partnership with Arlington Independent School District and the University of Texas at Arlington, the Chamber annually hosts the “What’s Your Big Idea?” Entrepreneurship Contest for third through eighth grade Arlington ISD students, cultivating creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit in the next generation.
Since the 20th annual contest launched in Sep. 2025, Arlington ISD students discovered new passions and explored their entrepreneurial and innovative ideas. To participate in the contest, each student shares their big idea in the form of an original advertisement or essay describing a product they could sell or a business they could create.
From the hundreds of submissions, three finalists are picked from each grade for each category. During the Awards Ceremony, the finalists discover who placed first, second and third.
First place winners were awarded a scholarship to attend the exclusive one-week summer camp, The Big Idea Lab. Designed to nurture and develop their promising entrepreneurial spirit, this camp allows these young innovators to delve deeper into their award-winning big ideas. With expert guidance and hands-on activities, they expand their initial concepts and learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, laying a foundation for future success no matter which career they choose.
The What’s Your Big Idea Entrepreneurship Contest would not be possible without the generous support of our volunteers and sponsors. Thank you for fostering entrepreneurial thinking in AISD students!
3rd-8th Grade Presenting Sponsors: UTA College of Business, UTA College of Engineering
The Big Idea Lab Camp Presenting Sponsor: UTA Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Development
Medal Sponsor: TotalEnergies
Premier Sponsor: City of Arlington
Registration Sponsor: Spring Creek Barbeque
Photo Booth Sponsor: Tarrant County College
Finalists Recognition Sponsors: LBL Architects, Chick-fil-A North Collins St., Digital Corporate Services, City of Arlington
Interested in playing a part in the entrepreneurial journey of the incredible students of AISD? Click HERE to see how you can be involved in next year’s contest and awards ceremony.