JA Innovation Challenge is an opportunity for high school students to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills by developing a start-up enterprise and business plan concept with the opportunity to compete for a place in the JA Innovation Challenge Regional Competition on April 17th of 2025 at University of Evansville.

Students learn how to conduct market research, identify and leverage competitive advantages, as well as learn problem-solving, critical thinking, business strategy, the art of a pitch, and the importance of working as a team. Local entrepreneurs and business executives serve as judges for the competition in a Shark Tank-style format. Using the JA Be Entrepreneurial® curriculum, JA Innovation Challenge empowers young entrepreneurs to see themselves as future business executives with the skills needed to conceptualize a successful business plan.