CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Eighteen high school students from across the Lehigh Valley came together for a week of innovation, teamwork, and business-building at the 2025 Teen Entrepreneurship Challenge (TEC), hosted by Lehigh Valley LaunchBox.
The program, open to rising freshmen through seniors, empowered teens to explore the fundamentals of entrepreneurship through hands-on workshops, mentorship sessions, and pitch competitions. Over the course of the week, students collaborated in teams to develop original business ideas, conduct market research, build business models, and prepare investor-style pitches.
“This is more than just a camp—it’s an opportunity for students to realize the power of their ideas and develop the confidence to pursue them,” said Cindy Evans, Director of Lehigh Valley LaunchBox and the program’s lead organizer.
Throughout the week, students heard from a lineup of local entrepreneurs and professionals, including experts in marketing, finance, business writing, and artificial intelligence. Field trips to local innovation hubs like GoggleWorks Center for the Arts and interactive experiences, such as a virtual reality simulation with campus police, helped bring real-world relevance to entrepreneurial problem-solving.
At the culmination of the week, teams presented their business ideas to a panel of judges in a live pitch competition. Judges praised the creativity, poise, and professionalism of the students’ presentations.
"The energy and innovation these students brought to the table were phenomenal," said Kermit Burley, retired Penn State professor and one of the judges. “You could see the growth in every student from day one to pitch day.”
The challenge also emphasized personal development, with moments of creativity, community-building, and fun—including creating friendship bracelets and bonding over shared challenges. “Our future is in good hands,” said Evans. “These students are ready to lead.”
The 2025 TEC was made possible through the support of community partners, sponsors, and mentors. Special thanks to the Small Business Development Center, the Lehigh Valley CREW team, Penn State Lehigh Valley faculty, and local entrepreneurs who donated their time and expertise to support the next generation of innovators.
With the success of this year’s program, Lehigh Valley LaunchBox is already looking ahead to the Teen Entrepreneurship Challenge in 2026.