SPIE Year in Review 2023-2024
For Students

Applications Open: the Central Valley Business Expo's Young Entrepreneurs & Innovators Program

We wanted to reintroduce a fantastic opportunity for students: the Central Valley Business Expo's Young Entrepreneurs & Innovators program.

This challenge is designed to ignite entrepreneurial thinking, encouraging students, ages 16-20, to develop their innovative business ideas and compete for significant prizes and recognition. It provides a real-world platform for them to exercise creativity and problem-solving skills, whether they choose to work individually or in groups.

Here is a brief overview of the program:

How Students Can Participate:

  1. Develop an Idea: Students create a short 60-90 second video, a presentation, or a concise business plan that clearly explains their business concept.
  2. Apply Online: Visit the official program website at www.cvbexpo.com to complete the simple application form.
  3. Submit Project: The video or project file must be included with the application for it to be complete.

Prizes and Recognition:

Participating students have the chance to win the following incredible awards:

  • 1st Place: A cash prize of up to $3,000 and a 12-month professional mentorship.
  • 2nd Place: A cash prize of up to $1,500 and valuable networking opportunities.
  • 3rd Place: A cash prize of up to $750 and valuable networking opportunities.

Important Dates to Remember:

  • Submission Deadline: Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
  • Finalists Announced: Friday, October 17th, 2025
  • Winners Announced: November 6th, 2025, at the Central Valley Business Expo

This is a unique opportunity for students to gain invaluable experience and take the first step toward launching their own ventures.

For more information, please visit www.cvbexpo.com or contact directly at 209.678.7121 or info@centralvalleybusinessexpo.com.