The Entrepreneurs Club Venture Challenge (ECVC) is a high school startup competition where student teams build real companies, pitch on stage in Sacramento, CA, and compete for $10,000 in cash awards. Apply by Spring 2027.
Entrepreneurs Club (EC) is a technology entrepreneurship program for high school students, founded in 2014 and based in the Sacramento region of California. Students build real businesses rather than simulations, working through 8 training modules over 10 weeks and competing in the Entrepreneurs Club Venture Challenge (ECVC).
The 5th Annual Entrepreneurs Club Venture Challenge takes place March/April 2027 in Sacramento, CA, with $10,000 in cash awards. Teams of 2-4 high school students apply online by Spring 2027. Since 2014, EC has reached 500+ students across 30+ high schools, with 75+ teams having competed. In 2026, 39 teams from 20 schools competed in front of 462 attendees.
Four rounds. Teams of 2-4 high school students submit an online application by Spring 2027, then a pitch deck, then compete in person at a trade show and on stage in Sacramento, CA on March/April 2027.
Cross-school teams are allowed. Every team needs a teacher, parent or mentor as an advisor. Business concepts must be original student work.
Students apply and manage their team in the EC Portal at app.entrepreneursclub.org.