Your questions, answered.
The 2026 Ventura Challenge has wrapped. Here's where judging stands, when results land, and what Ventura Innovation is building next.
Ventura Innovation is a global initiative built around one idea: connecting innovation beyond borders. Those borders aren't only between countries, they're the boundaries between schools, communities, disciplines, and the opportunities young people are usually given access to. The Ventura Challenge is our flagship event, a global virtual pitch competition run under Ventura Innovation, and it sits alongside our workshops and other programming that brings the same approach into schools and communities year-round.
No. The submission window closed on July 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST, and the portal is no longer accepting entries. Every project received before the deadline is in judging.
The Top 50 are announced on August 13, the Top 20 on August 20, and the top three winners on August 29, 2026. Results are sent by email and posted on our social channels.
Industry professionals score every entry against the published rubric, innovation, market fit, feasibility, and overall impact, with pitches evaluated through the Ventura Framework of Vision, Visibility, and Value.
Top teams receive prize funding, professional mentorship from industry leaders, and ongoing connections to help take their idea further beyond the competition.
Programming continues well beyond the Challenge. Ventura Innovation is developing new workshops and school- and community-based innovation initiatives to keep connecting innovation beyond borders, join the workshop list to hear about them first.
Plans for the next cycle of our flagship event are in progress. Follow along on our social channels or email the team to be notified when registration reopens.