FORGE aims to cultivate entrepreneurial mindset everywhere the University of Arizona has a presence. On February 21st, FORGE partnered with The Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship, University of Arizona Yuma, and the Southwest AG Summit at Arizona Western College to provide the opportunity for students to learn basic entrepreneurial skills and win cash through a Venture Valley Collegiate Cup Tournament.  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.

Tired of the "hustle and grind" culture that ignores the inevitable stumbles on the road to success? Ditch the shame spiral and get real with Flop!, a program that celebrates failure as a powerful learning tool. Here's the deal: We all flop sometimes, whether it's bombing a presentation, flunking a test, or realizing your passion project was, well, not-so-passionate. But instead of hiding under our blankets (guilty!), Flop! flips the script.

Think TED Talks, but for mistakes. Amazing speakers from diverse backgrounds share their epic fails and the valuable lessons they learned along the way. In just 20 minutes

In today's rapidly changing world, entrepreneurial skills are in high demand. Venturing 101 offers a hub of knowledge and guidance for those who want to build their skillset and transform ideas into reality. This free, asynchronous, online course is designed to equip individuals with an essential understanding of entrepreneurial principles and possibilities. “Venturing 101 did a great job teaching me the basics of starting a business, and I am excited to share that my brand has officially launched,” commented Elias Sitzmann, UArizona Physiology Sophomore and Founder of Ari Everyday Wear about his experience.  “It did so much for me, and continues to support me to this day.” Ari Everyday Wear was started by Elias Sitzmann in 2023. 

We are very pleased to introduce new faces to our FORGE student team: Anika Dadhich, LuisPablo Padres, Katrina Lee, Ahana Singh and Prisha Sachdev.

To be an entrepreneur, a blend of passion, innovation, and resilience is needed to fuel the journey from idea to impact. At the forefront of fostering this spirit is the FORGE Student Startup Residency program at the University of Arizona. The program awards financial grants to students to develop their venture concepts from premise to pitch-ready through a summer boot camp program. The program also provides student employment opportunities.

The Student Startup Residency has expanded and is currently accepting new applicants here. This initiative received a significant boost from distinguished alumnus Harry Wilcox.

FORGE proudly announces the opening of applications for FORGE Student Startup Residency grants. This initiative invites students with venture concepts in the Biomedical, Semiconductor Manufacturing, and/or AI industry areas to participate in an intensive 8-week Summer 'Startup Bootcamp.'  Students can be awarded up to $5,600 for taking part in the bootcamp program and can earn additional funds as student Entrepreneurs in Residence. 

All students who wish to apply must register for a preliminary info session. This Residency provides a valuable opportunity for students to bring startup concepts to life while developing critical entrepreneurial mindset skills.

University of Arizona FORGE is excited to announce Yuma’s first Venture Valley Tournament, sponsored by the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship. On February 21st from 1-5 pm, students are invited to compete in the tournament held at Arizona Western College during the Southwest AG Summit.

Students 16 years and older can play for a chance to win $2,000, $1,000, $500, $100, or $50 cash prizes.  All majors and backgrounds are encouraged to compete and no prior business knowledge is required.  Students can register here to secure their spot in the tournament. There is no cost to participate and the tournament will include snacks, giveaways, and more.

Calling Arizona Wildcats with entrepreneurial fire in their bellies! Look no further than Support + Share, a one-stop shop for forging connections and fueling venture dreams. This University of Arizona program welcomes student founders at any stage of their journey, from brainstorming to polishing prototypes ready for pitch night.

Every other Tuesday during the semester, this vibrant community convenes on campus, armed with shared experiences, expert guidance, and Wildcat spirit. For students wrestling with value propositions or prepping for crucial investor meetings, Support + Share has resources.

Learn what makes Support + Share the ultimate launchpad.

College isn't just exams and textbooks. It's an incubator for big ideas, audacious dreams, and the ideal time to unlock entrepreneurial potential. But where to start when the spark of an idea turns into confusion and self-doubt? Enter the journey of entrepreneurial mindset and venture development coaching with FORGE, a secret weapon for turning sparks into bonfires. At FORGE (Finding Opportunities and Resources to Grow Entrepreneurs), we empower entrepreneurial spirit. Whether you're a student brimming with new ideas or already building a venture, our Student Venture Pathways peer coaching program is here to fuel that journey.

We are very pleased to introduce new faces to our Student Venture Pathways team this semester!