The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce is proud to launch the 19th annual “What’s Your Big Idea?” Entrepreneurship Contest to Arlington Independent School District (AISD) students. In partnership with Arlington ISD 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 with an expanded version of the contest available to high school students, cultivating creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit in the next generation.
Managed by the Partners in Education Committee, the contest teaches students the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and provides them with essential skills needed for any career they may choose in the future.
“The ‘What’s Your Big Idea?’ Entrepreneurship Contest is entering its 19th year of inspiring AISD students to transform their creative ideas into entrepreneurial ventures,” Michael Jacobson, President & CEO of the Chamber, said. “Whether it’s an innovative product, a groundbreaking service or a unique social enterprise, this contest encourages students to dream big and develop business concepts that have the potential to make a positive impact on their communities and beyond.”
As the contest launches on Oct. 7, 2024, AISD begin their riveting journey of discovering new passions and exploring 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. 3rd-8th grade students must submit their big ideas by Jan. 17, 2025. Detailed guidelines, resources and updates can be found at arlingtontx.com/bigidea.
The What’s Your Big Idea Entrepreneurship Contest thrives because of the generous support of The College of Business and the College of Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. These institutions are fostering entrepreneurial thinking in AISD students by ensuring every 3rd-8th grade AISD student receives a printed contest guide to enter the contest.
AISD high school students participate in an elevated version of the contest they did in elementary and junior high school. Working in teams of 3-5, students develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges our community faces. The City of Arlington provides these challenges and will release them when the contest launches Oct. 7, 2024. The AISD high school teams must submit their solution by March 14. Detailed guidelines, resources and updates can be found at arlingtontx.com/bigidea/hs.
Members of the Arlington business community can play a part in the entrepreneurial journey of these incredible students by becoming a volunteer judge. Sign up here.