JA Business Plan Competition

This program is administered by JA of New York

High School

Implementation:
Classroom Based

Pillars of Student Success

Financial Literacy High Financial Literacy

Entrepreneurship High Entrepreneurship

Work Readiness High Work Readiness

The JA New York Business Plan Competition (BPC) is an intensive entrepreneurship education experience for high school students, generously funded by G.C. Andersen Partners, ICE NYSE Foundation, and Delta Air Lines, Inc. Since its inception in 2008, over 7,500 high school students have received valuable business and entrepreneurship education. Students work in small teams to create a viable business plan for a product or service.

Several rounds of online and live competition determine the top three teams to receive cash prize awards and a trophy for their school. First, second, and third place prizes totaling nearly $220,000 since the program's inception have been awarded to competitors who presented the strongest, most creative, and innovative business plans. Past participants have gone on to create successful business enterprises of their own.

How Do Students and Volunteers Benefit From Participation?
Business Plan Competition students learn key business concepts and skills while developing a blueprint strategy to launch a new product or service. The unique curriculum helps students get excited about the world of business and entrepreneurship and empowers them to use entrepreneurial thinking to create value, in their own companies or working for someone else. The small group sessions with "real world" business volunteers personalize the student experience.

Volunteers benefit from mentoring the students over the course of two months as they deepen their connection with the teams. Their professional experiences and insights help students learn what it takes to work collaboratively with a team to create a successful business.

Get Involved
Educators: Due to high demand, this program is only open to select JA New York partner schools. To learn more about how you can work with JA New York, please click here to learn more about how we partner with schools. Please note that the Business Plan Competition is a very intensive program and that students will need access to computers/Internet at least once per week, as well as class time outside of the volunteer visits.

Volunteers: Interested in coaching students? JA New York will provide all curriculum, training, and support for your commitment. The program requires six 45-minute sessions with your assigned BPC class. To ensure a high level of support for students, we aim for 2-3 volunteers per class. If you would like to partner with friends or colleagues, please let us know – otherwise, we may place you with other volunteers.

Program Concepts

Advertisement, Business plan, Competitive advantages, Customer, Demographic, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurial spirit, Management, Market, Market needs, Marketing, Product, Product development, Profit

Skills Students Learn

Analyzing information
Business planning
Categorizing data
Decision making
Evaluating alternatives

Expressing multiple viewpoints
Graphic presentation
Presenting information
Reading for understanding
Verbal and written communication

Weighing consequences
Working in groups

Alignment with State and National Standards

Common Core Standards

For those states that follow common core standards, Junior Achievement’s curricula have been reviewed for alignment with these standards! Learn more by selecting the appropriate grade level below.

Main Correlation and Standards Page

National Standards

While educational standards are determined primarily at the state level, many national standards serve as guidelines for the development of these state standards. See how Junior Achievement curricula align with the national standards listed below.

Main Correlation and Standards Page

State Standards

Junior Achievement curricula are created to align with state standards. To see how our programs align with your state’s standards, explore the options below.

Main Correlation and Standards Page

Scope and Sequence

Junior Achievement learning experiences cover financial literacy, career and work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Our extensive scope and sequence helps explain how our programs cover these subjects at various grade levels.

Main Correlation and Standards Page

Request a Presenter to Teach Curriculum

A Junior Achievement Volunteer teaches students

Junior Achievement lessons are delivered by volunteers from the community. These presenters are prepared by JA to facilitate engaging learning activities that focus on financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship. This results in an enriched learning experience that helps students make the connection between what they learn in school and the world outside the classroom.

Steps to Request a Presenter

1) Request Info

Once you’ve decided to have a JA volunteer in your classroom, fill out the form on this website. You will receive information on next steps.

2) Pick Schedule

You will be able to coordinate a schedule that works for your class either online or in conjunction with a JA representative.

3) Meet Presenter

Once a volunteer is identified for your class, JA will connect you with the presenter to discuss roles, expectations, and logistics.

4) Empower Students with Standards-Based Education

After all details are in place, the JA volunteer will deliver lessons to your students either virtually or in-person.

Request Information about this Learning Experience

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