High-tech glasses. Innovative shoes. Protective jewelry. A tutoring tech solution.
These are just some of the ideas from the first-place winners of the 2024 “What’s Your Big Idea?” Entrepreneurship Contest (WYBI). Earlier this summer, these Arlington ISD students spent a week developing their winning ideas into potential businesses at The Big Idea Lab, an exclusive, one-week summer camp available only to contest top winners. In partnership with the University of Texas at Arlington’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Development, students explored business development topics and expanded their entrepreneurial spirit.
“The What’s Your Big Idea? Entrepreneurship Contest is something so unique in Arlington, TX,” Scott Parsinen, local entrepreneur and camp facilitator, said. “Young entrepreneurs hold the future of the planet in their hands, and we get to provide them the resources they need to succeed.”
In partnership with Arlington ISD and the University of Texas at Arlington, the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce annually hosts the What’s Your Big Idea? Entrepreneurship Contest for third through eighth grade Arlington ISD students with an expanded version of the contest available to high school students. 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. In April, finalists are recognized and the top winners are announced at a big awards ceremony.
“Investing in and cultivating entrepreneurial aspirations is always important, but doing so for young students goes beyond that,” Paul J Corson, Executive Director of the UTA Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Development, said. “It’s a way to redefine opportunity and help students realize their full potential in life. A wonderfully bright future awaits everyone who shared their Big Idea!”
During each camp day, students dive deeper into what it means to take their ideas to the masses. Students learn five vocabulary words around the day’s topic, helping them understand how to communicate from an e-ship perspective. They work in teams throughout the week, strengthening their skills in public speaking, problem-solving and strategic thinking.
“Teaching entrepreneurship at a young age helps prepare students in all areas of life, including financial literacy, professional skills development and interpersonal communication,” Darlisa Diltz, local entrepreneur and camp facilitator, said. “Students gain a greater sense of confidence when thinking through a process from start to finish because it allows them to express their creativity. Teaching entrepreneurship to youth is an important foundation for all future career paths.”
The week-long camp ends with a special pitching day, where students pitch their big ideas to a live audience of family members, Chamber board members and staff, local entrepreneurs and community leaders.
The Greater Arlington Chamber has proudly partnered with AISD for 18 years to host this contest and encourage entrepreneurship. We are committed to cultivating and celebrating the innovative spirit and boundless potential of our future leaders. The Big Idea Lab was introduced in 2019 and has always partnered with UTA.
This event would not be possible without all of our sponsors or without the help of our Partners in Education Committee, who help organize the event and judge each entry. 18 years of igniting the entrepreneurial spirit in our youth, and we have no plans of stopping any time soon!
If you are interested in getting involved with What’s Your Big Idea? and its surrounding programming, please contact Alicia Collins-Butler, Sr. Director of Education, Workforce & Community Development.
