Could video games change your life?
Win big and learn to start a business with Venture Valley
We are excited to announce Tucson’s first Venture Valley Tournament. On September 30th, students are invited to compete at FORGE at Roy Place from 2 pm – 9 pm for $5,000 in cash prizes. Venture Valley is a fast-paced mobile and PC business strategy game where players take on the role of an entrepreneur, pitting their business savvy against others. The free game features both competitive esports-style multiplayer play and a single-player campaign with 35 unique missions.
In Venture Valley, entrepreneurs experience the highs and lows of being their own boss, but along with success comes rivals! Keep competition in check by strategically creating a custom deck of “boost” and “adversity” cards. Through play, Venture Valley empire makers develop an understanding of basic business skills. Concepts learned include cause and effect on such things as pricing, wages, advertising, research and development, operational maintenance, product quality, and the cost and benefits of business loans.
Sponsored by the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship, University of Arizona and Pima Community College students with valid IDs can register for 15 minutes of gameplay and a chance to win $2,500, $1,000, $500, or $100 cash prizes! Join us at FORGE at Roy Place, to enjoy the tournament alongside our Venture Expo of student businesses. We'll have snacks, giveaways, local restaurant promotions, and more. Don't miss out! Only college students with valid IDs are eligible to win cash prizes, but everyone is welcome to join the fun!
Be one of the first 100 people to register to get your gaming spot! You can even download Venture Valley ahead of time to get in some practice.
Student entrepreneurs – are you ready to show the world your idea?
Interested in taking part in the EXPO? During the tournament, we are hosting a student venture expo. Have a business idea in the works? The Venture Expo is an opportunity for student founders to sell products, do customer discovery, or test a prototype. We provide your table and an audience to see and hear your ideas. You provide products, art or concept to for feedback and the desire to take your idea or product to the next level. Sign up now - there are just a few spots remaining.
Get to know Singleton Foundation CEO Shelley Miles at FORGE Fireside
We are launching the first of our fall Fireside chats with Singleton Foundation CEO, Shelley Miles. The Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship seeks to inspire entrepreneurship, and make financial competence fun, engaging, and accessible to all. The foundation recognizes that the lack of financial competence is an enormous problem with entrepreneurship on the decline across the country and under-25-year-olds as the fastest group filing for bankruptcy.
FORGE Founding Director, Brian Ellerman, will interview Miles about the foundation's work to build up financial literacy and their upcoming Venture Valley Game Tournament in Tucson. Prior to serving as the Chief Executive Officer at the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy, Miles led entertainment and technology businesses including Disney Interactive and Disney Records and Music. She was a founder of the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House and has served on several nonprofit boards.
Register here to attend this exciting FORGE Fireside
Don’t miss out on your tour of the Learning Games Initiative!
Don't forget to register for this Thursday’s Campus Spotlight for an exciting discussion featuring Dr. Judd Ruggill, Department Head for Public and Applied Humanities and Dr. Kenneth McAllister, Associate Dean for Research and Program Innovation. They will share information and answer questions about the Learning Games Initiative Research Archive (LGIRA), a constantly expanding collection of computer games, systems, peripherals, memorabilia, scholarship, and other game-related materials accessible to researchers worldwide. At the end of the coffee hour, guests are invited to join them for an in-person tour of the archive.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, September 8 - Campus Spotlight: Learning Games Initiative
Thursday, September 15 - FORGE Fireside with Shelley Miles
Thursday, September 15 - CIC BIPOC Business Loan Fund Info Session
Thursday, September 22 - Curiosity Club
Thursday, September 29 - Cereal Entrepreneurs
Friday, September 30 - Venture Valley Tournament & Venture Expo