Young Entrepreneurs Challenge
+400 Points
Do you have a head full of brilliant business ideas but don't know how to unleash your inner entrepreneur? This Challenge is your answer! Discover the entrepreneurial secrets you need to transform your ideas into reality! From creating a brand-new product to learning how to market it, we'll show you how to make your dreams a reality. This is your chance to win a cash prize from the Fleischer Scholars Foundation by creating a 3-5 minute video pitch!
You'll address the question: How can you unleash your creativity and entrepreneurship skills to address a problem in your community?
Note: This Challenge is still available to earn points!! The prize money was awarded to past winners.
Skills you'll develop
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Social Awareness
Imagine
Now, it’s time to answer your Big Question from the Focus phase. In this phase, you’ll generate tons of ideas and choose one to pursue. Then, you'll create your idea. Get creative and embrace wild ideas!
By the end of the Imagine phase, you should have:
Brainstormed a lot of ideas for a solution
Identified your solution and be able to explain why you chose this solution
Designated the category that your solution fits into: product design, business concept, or marketing campaign
Understand the Imagine Phase
⏱️Time: 2-3 Hours (during Week 2 of Challenge)
✏️Use the optional KNOtebook to record notes and questions
💼 Mentor: Get feedback from a mentor on your idea
🎯 Future Ready Skills: Problem-Solving, Collaboration
Solution Categories
The solution that you ultimately choose will fall into ONE of three categories. You may want to keep this in mind during your brainstorm! You'll be choosing ONE of the categories. Flip each card to review your choices.
Product Design
Product Design
Create a concept for a new or improved product. Perhaps an app? A game? An everyday item?
Business Concept
Business Concept
Do you have an idea for a new business, organization, or service to address the problem you identified? Maybe a youth-run non-profit? A storefront business? A mobile service? An online venture?What is Brainstorming?
Brainstorming is an effective way to produce a lot of ideas quickly, to solve problems, and to build enthusiasm! Select from the videos to get tips and see brainstorming in action. No need to watch all of the videos.
Your Turn
Watch an example of a KnoPro brainstorming session. The following brainstorming process is a suggested method. When you brainstorm, TAKE YOUR TIME! It could be a multiday process so you can have time to think.
Brainstorming Techniques (2:05)
Example brainstorming process (1:57)
Brainstorming Strategies (5:31)
Review Brainstorm Steps
Get Feedback from a Mentor
Mentor Moment: Get Feedback!
Don't forget that you can get feedback from a professional. You may be excited about all of your ideas, but it’s important not to get too attached to them since your ideas will grow and change.
Ask a mentor what they think of your three ideas. For each idea, write a one-sentence “pitch”: what it is, who it will serve, and why it’s a good idea. Then, wait for feedback from a mentor.
Evaluate Your Ideas
Once you’ve reviewed the feedback from a mentor, consider if you want to combine or revise any of the ideas. Use any of the following methods to help you choose one idea. Select each of the first two images to watch a video.
You can use the Starbursting technique to help you dig deeper into your potential solutions. Here's an example from a backpack campaign.
Do a SWOT analysis to ensure that you've thought about all aspects of your product. A SWOT analysis is a technique for assessing your ideas to help you improve or change your ideas before finalizing.
Use the PRO criteria to evaluate your ideas: Purpose: Which idea addresses the need best?Results: Which idea will make a big impact? Originality: Which idea do we think is the most unique?
Use the PRO criteria to evaluate your ideas: Purpose: Which idea addresses the need best?Results: Which idea will make a big impact? Originality: Which idea do we think is the most unique?
Select Your Idea
Now, It’s time to choose one of your ideas to prototype! Discuss, vote, and choose one idea to pursue. You may want to use one or more of the suggestions below. Select each plus sign to learn about these techniques.
Next Steps
Ready to Move On?
Do you feel prepared to move on and start creating you solution? Can you explain the following to someone or write your responses in your KNOtebook. If so, great! You're well on your way! Flip the cards to check yourself.
Your Solution
Your Solution
What is your solution? What steps did you use to arrive at this solution? What were your top three ideas? How did you decide to select your top idea?
Why this Solution?
Why this Solution?
Why did you choose this solution? Refer to the PRO criteria: Purpose: How does this idea addresses the need? Results: How will your idea make a big impact? Originality: How is your idea unique?
Category
Category
Which category does your solution fit into: product design, business concept, or marketing campaign?