Are Fresh(men) Minds What Colorado Businesses Need to Succeed?

New technology-based JA Business Week projects build teens’ 21st century skills

DENVER--()--More than 275 Colorado high school students are attending Junior Achievement (JA) Business Week, presented by Arrow Electronics, Inc., held at Johnson & Wales University in Denver from June 8 to 13. These 9th through 12th grade students are part of a growing group of young innovators who are anxious to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to the business world. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Colorado is the second best state for entrepreneurship and innovation. Students’ level of interest in JA Business Week suggests the potential for Colorado’s entrepreneurial nature to continue long-term.

Despite the fact that Millennials have long admired the entrepreneurial spirit, they also want to be certain to make wise investments with their time and money. A recent survey by JA USA found that 25% of teens wish they could start their own business but are not willing to take the risk.

JA Business Week is a unique program that allows students to explore leadership concepts and build confidence alongside more than 120 of Denver’s most dynamic and accomplished business leaders. In addition to interactive workshops on marketing, business ethics and budgeting, the week culminates in a “Shark Tank”-style competition. Student teams gain first-hand experience in teams to develop marketing and business concepts for OtterBox, a Colorado-based global innovator of protective solutions for mobile technology.

More than half of the students attend JA Business Week on full scholarship thanks to our sponsors including presenting sponsor, Arrow Electronics, Inc.

“Junior Achievement Business Week demonstrates what Arrow does every day: We guide innovators forward,” said Kevin Manzo, vice president of finance at Arrow Electronics and member of the Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain Board of Directors. “Five years out, many of these Business Week students will be entering the marketplace. The skills and insights they develop here will help them become the next innovators.”

About JA Business Week

Junior Achievement Business Week is an annual, one-of-a-kind summer program that lets high school students experience the business world, develop leadership skills and focus on the future. Students learn about business from more than 120 professionals throughout the week while working on “Shark Tank”-style projects, and get a taste of college life by living on a university campus. The 2014 program is being held June 8 to 13 at Johnson & Wales University. For more information, visit www.JABusinessWeek.org.

About Arrow Electronics

Arrow Electronics (www.arrow.com) is a global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions. Arrow serves as a supply channel partner for more than 100,000 original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers and commercial customers through a global network of more than 460 locations in 58 countries.

About Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain, Inc.

Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain, Inc. (JA) prepares young people to thrive in the 21st century workplace and global economy by inspiring a passion in free enterprise and entrepreneurship and instilling an understanding of personal financial literacy. During the 2013/14 school year, JA provided programs to more than 118,000 students in 500 schools throughout Metro Denver, Northern Colorado and Wyoming. These programs are always free to schools thanks to 5,000 volunteers and the generous support of donors. For more information, visit www.JAColorado.org.

Contacts

Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain, Inc.
Kim McGrigg, 303-260-6295
Director of Communication
KMcGrigg@JAColorado.org
@jarockymountain

Contacts

Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain, Inc.
Kim McGrigg, 303-260-6295
Director of Communication
KMcGrigg@JAColorado.org
@jarockymountain