The Brave Venture

02/07/2024

Hey - our catnip has sprouted! 🌱

01/07/2024

Last week, our was invited to speak to 240 Year 12 and 13 students from high schools all over the region at Massey University's School of Business. He shared my insights on a topic he’s passionate about - the transformative power of in education.

Using and Nike's iconic partnership as a case study, we explored how entrepreneurial thinking can inspire and empower our youth (remember the ads from ?)

His talk wasn't just about business. It was about instilling a mindset that encourages creativity, resilience, and problem-solving, forming a solid foundation for business at any age.

At The Brave Venture, we believe that education is essential for all students. The misnomer of business being a topic or degree for “those” students is simply wrong. Business education is paramount for our young people, preparing them to be the next or Michael Jordan. It’s helping them understand that in our world, being a leader, an innovator, and a change maker is not only possible but a great career path. With so much focus on (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), it’s time to focus on , too! So, we’re creating a new hashtag for TBV - . You heard it here first!

Thank you to Stephen Kelly and the entire Massey School of Business, Simon Barnett for his talk about taking his company OBO Goalkeeping, Andrew Stewart for his awesome Mitre 10 New Zealand brand and customer experience chat, Stacey Andrews from Palmerston North City Council for her insight into the and Manawatu economies, and Isobel Campbell from Air New Zealand for her presentation around and .

Opportunities like this are immense as we get the opportunity to challenge the traditional narratives and show how skills can be a game changer in a student's educational journey.

#1984

14/06/2024

Well, hello !

Exactly two weeks ago, at about this time, our team had just finished setting up for another . Over the past year or so, we have created a pretty nifty day for students aged 10-13, where, together, arcade-style games, complete with a ton of activity, laughs and occasionally, ! We spend the last hour or so off the laptops (donated by Excel Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Ltd) and get the students to use their creativity and work in groups to come up with a new style of game that they then present to their parents.

Our team in Whanganui really turned it on for our kids! The event, held at The Backhouse and supported by the incredible team at TechStep, Yorb (thanks for the lunch and ice cream!), Business Whanganui - Chamber of Commerce, Innove Design and Empire PR, was a huge success!

At the end of each jam, we survey the students and their parents. It's always awesome to hear feedback - that's how we improve. We're very humbled to have a Net Promoter Score of 95 (WOW!) but what makes us even happier is when we get feedback like the response below (question first) -

Question - "If we could make one thing better at Game Jam, what would it be and why?"

Answer - "Less mayo in the lunch wraps." 😍

Ok, the kid doesn't like mayo. But if that is all that we need to improve on, we are on the right track!

Here are a few pics of our event. Thank you to everyone in Whanganui for welcoming us with open arms (and for the yummy ICE CREAM ).

10/06/2024

We've been so busy with our students that our 'socials' have been a bit lack lustre! Sorry team. Kids first!

We were stoked to run Game Jam Manawatu, the last event during Techweek NZ here in the mighty . Here's a quick recap of the day –

We began with excited parents dropping off their young coders. Each participant received a laptop compliments of Excel Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Ltd for a full day of independent coding. After introductions, we dove into coding, and our students learned the basics of code by building an asteroids game, complete with ship spins, asteroid movement, bullet firing, sound and a functional scoreboard. We were blown away by Lydia Price's tech story as she walked us through her journey to become a full-stack developer at Yorb!

And, thanks to Yorb, our students were treated to a healthy lunch (and morning tea!) while enjoying a chat from a local game developer in the Manawatu, Aniruth Natarajan, creator of "Fresh Hell”! You should check out his game on Steam here - https://lnkd.in/gXubdarB.

Then, after lunch, students were divided into teams to brainstorm and create new game concepts for 2024, developing everything from game types and logos to rules and wireframes. Each team presented their creations to parents in a 2-minute pitch before wrapping up the day.

A big thank you to our guest speakers, Lydia and Aniruth, Steve Pavarno for helping our kids, our team member Jennifer Scott and Andrew Henderson for their incredible support and aroha, Excel Refrigeration & A/C Ltd, Two36 for the great room and tech, TechStep for their unwavering support since we launched, and Innove Design for making everything we do look 🔥! And, check out the photos from our magician Toni Larsen Photography. She's simply unbelievable.

29/05/2024

Thanks, River City Press Whanganui, for your write-up of our company and our Whanganui Game Jam, happening this Saturday!

Stoked to be delivering our Game Jam in your city with the awesome support of TechStep, The Backhouse, Yorb, Empire PR and Excel Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Ltd.

River City Press is Whanganui’s largest circulating community newspaper.

18/04/2024

🎮 Calling All Young Innovators! Join Our Free Game Jam! 🎮

During Techweek NZ, we’re pumped to host an exclusive Game Jam for aspiring young coders aged 11-13! Dive into the world of game development and spend a day learning to code while building an arcade-style game from scratch.

None of this is possible without the AWESOME support from Excel Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Ltd and TechStep.

👾 Event Details:
Date: 25 May 2024, Saturday
Time: 9 am to 2 pm
Location: Two36 Shared Space, 236 Broadway Avenue
Seats Available: 20 (Limited availability!)

🚀 Whether you’re a beginner or already dabbling in coding, this is a perfect opportunity to enhance your skills, meet other young tech enthusiasts, and have a blast creating your own video game.

🛠️ What You’ll Gain:
Hands-on coding experience
Insights into game design and development
A chance to collaborate and think creatively in a supportive environment

Computers, resources, lunch and healthy snacks will be provided. Just bring your creativity and enthusiasm!

📌 Secure Your Spot: Spots are limited on a first-come, first-served basis. Register now to ensure you don’t miss out!
🔗 https://lnkd.in/g5_8TsWG

05/04/2024

Yesterday, we had another amazing event at a local high school. Our team guided a group of Year 9 students (aged 12-13) through a series of challenges to enhance their creativity and problem-solving skills. As we explored some fundamental concepts of , such as design thinking and the lean canvas, a crucial theme emerged yet again: the importance of . Empathy is not an “ok to have” attribute. It’s a necessary (and should be compulsory) component of our educational systems and modules.

Today’s world is increasingly driven by technology and automation, and the human-centric skill of empathy stands out as a fundamental, yet often under-emphasised, element in our . When students step into the shoes of someone else, they learn about people who have complexity, unique needs and desires. And by doing so, they unlock a deeper level of understanding and creativity.

Today’s exercise took students on a journey of creating software (dear to my heart!). But our app-building module was more than making pretty screenshot designs and functionality. It guided our students on a journey to view “challenges” through the lens of those they were designing for. By adding characteristics to their , students understood why the statement “one size fits all” never works.

Empathy isn’t about building better products or services. It’s about helping shape a mindset that values emotional intelligence as much as technical know-how. It’s about preparing yourself not just for the market but for life. A life where understanding others isn’t just a strategy but a way of building a more compassionate and inclusive world.

As , entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners, let’s commit to embedding empathy in our classrooms. Because when we teach empathy, we don’t just teach students to design better; we teach them to live better.

29/01/2024

🌟 Reflecting on a Stellar Year at Awatapu High School 🌟

To kick off the school year for #2024, we want to take a moment to shine a spotlight on the remarkable efforts of one of our dedicated educators who went the extra mile to connect with our students. Mrs. Smith surveyed all the children who participated in our program to determine the most memorable moments of their year. The results were amazing and heartwarming and spoke volumes about the impact of our programme. was consistently ranked as the first or second most memorable part of their school experience!

The overwhelming affection for Ripyl is a testament to the vibrant, nurturing, and transformative journey our embark upon with us. Ripyl isn’t just about learning; it's about creating moments that resonate deeply with our youth, fostering growth, joy, and a sense of accomplishment. Seeing Ripyl as a beacon of their school year is humbling and exhilarating. A massive thank you to Mrs. Smith for her insight and a round of applause to all our students who made their 2023 Ripyl year truly exceptional!

29/01/2024

We're back, and 2024 is going to be epic. So many things are happening at The Brave Venture, and we are stoked to return to the offices with programmes and initiatives designed to empower our youth like never before!

🚀 What’s New in 2024?
Batch Accelerator - Batch takes young people on a journey of self-discovery, providing them with resources, support and mentorship to build out their dream and create a business or social enterprise. Batch will be running in multiple locations across New Zealand, so keep on eye on our socials!

Perspective - Fly. Stay. Learn. Build. Connect. Gaining perspective is an important part of any business and a crucial component of leadership. With Perspective, you'll join a group of people interested in taking their company to the next level by visiting businesses in other parts of the world. Perspective is custom-built with limited spots for each journey and this year we will be heading to San Francisco to visit powerhouse companies like Tesla and Meta. You can find more information on our website - www.tbv.org.nz.

⚙ What’s Cranking in 2024?
Ripyl – our youth programme designed to be delivered in schools is back, better than ever. The team is also working on some software that will allow us to scale the platform across the globe, and we have a trip planned to California for a two-week demo at a school located in San Jose. Exciting!

Young Enterprise – is back and we’re excited for the students and schools that are participating! YES allows students to work through a complete business model throughout the school year and gain valuable credits.

Buildit Challenge – keep an eye on our website for the next challenge location. Limited spots for the students and an amazing opportunity to run shoulders with some of the best builders in the industry.

Game Jam – back by popular demand, Game Jam allows students to code, in real-time, an arcade-style game, then work together in teams to build a new game, ready to take on the world!

🌐 Global Connections
We’re expanding our horizons! This year includes more international collaborations, offering our young talents a global stage to showcase their talents and learn from diverse cultures.

🤝 Join Us
We’re more than just a program; we’re a community. Whether you’re a returning member or new to our family, we welcome you to join us in making 2024 a year of growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences. DM us, ring us, just do it!

🔗 Stay tuned for more updates and details. Let’s make 2024 a remarkable year together!

21/12/2023

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our friends and whanau. Bring on 2024!

06/11/2023

“Unwavering commitment to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in our youth”. Some special words from GEN New Zealand judging panel about our youth programme .

Thanks to Paul Williams from Horowhenua Chronicle for the great write-up.

Bring on #2024.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/horowhenua-chronicle/news/palmerston-north-based-company-the-brave-venture-wins-award/RC2CYXCUMRA7XKKYQ5O5A7NOFQ/

01/11/2023

Our Young Enterprise Trust regional finals for the Manawatu/Whanganui were held last Thursday night at Massey University! What a night. We dished out a few awards to some very deserving students. The winners -

Regional Awards

Best Scoring Annual Review
words of worth - Cornerstone Christian School

Top Marketing Award
words of worth - Cornerstone Christian School

Aotearoa Award
Barracuda - Freyberg High School

Enviro Award
Ora Ana - Cornerstone Christian

Social Impact Award
Tuch Grass - Freyberg High School

Sharp Shooter Award
Green Paws - St. Peter's High School

We like to have a bit of fun as well. So this year, we handed out our "Wooden Spoon" awards. These awards were given to teams that made us laugh at some stage throughout the year! The winners -

Best Spelling Mistake
Quasar - St. Peter's High School

Best Use of the Dictionary
Recycled Creation - Freyberg High School

Travellator
Green Paws - St. Peter's High School

Better Late Than Never
Aesthetic Ice Cream - St. Peter's High School

Outstanding Sportsmanship
Better Bars - St. Peter's High School

To finish off the night, we had our 'Top 3' awards. The winers are -

The Brave Award
Gabrielle Hammond and her business Stutterfly, from Cornerstone Christian

Teacher of the Year
Dillan Korkie from Cornerstone Christian

Regional Winner of Manawatu/Whanganui
Phaedra Boyd and her business Tuch Grass (.products) from Freyburg High School

Phaedra will be joining the other 21 regions and will be competing at the YES National Finals in Wellington in early December.

What a year. What a group of students. What AWESOME ideas. There are so many to thank, so we have two special thanks we'd like everyone to put their hands together for -

Elizabeth Hansen our Regional Co-ordinator

Hire a Housewife - our naming rights sponsor for the year. Without their support, none of this would be possible

Here are a few photos of the event thanks to Kevin Bills Media.

Bring on 2024!