Business Challenge…preparing YOU for success!

Since Business Challenge began in 1978, we have brought together over 7,500 North Dakota high school students, and elementary and secondary educators, for an experience of a lifetime. Business Challenge is North Dakota's week-long, action-packed, entrepreneurial business camp. North Dakota was the second state in the nation to develop a business awareness educational program. The program has now spread to over 19 states, including the countries of Australia and New Zealand.

One of the objectives of Business Challenge is to provide students and educators with a better appreciation and understanding of business and entrepreneurship. Participants learn about technology, electronic business, and the global economy. Participants learn to generate profits, which are necessary for economic growth, competition, and productivity. They also tour industry sites. Students run their own business through a computer simulation. They also write a marketing plan, create a presentation, and meet some of North Dakota's most influential people. Educators attend to enhance their professional skills. They learn new teaching skills and strategies and integrate "real life" into their classrooms no matter what discipline they teach.

In addition, participants gain a better knowledge of North Dakota's economy, become more aware of what North Dakota has to offer, and obtain insights into career opportunities in the state. Business Challenge fits in with the New Economy Initiative strategies, as the program is aimed to spark the spirit for new entrepreneurs and keep our strongest resource, educated people, right here in North Dakota.

Over 250 businesses, organizations, and individuals provide sponsorships, financial support, and in kind donations each year to enable students and educators to attend the program with minimal costs. Click here to view our sponsors.

Business Challenge is a program of the North Dakota business community, Dickinson State University, and the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.

Business Challenge welcomes participants from surrounding states. Students and educators who attend from outside ND will be required to submit a $155 non-refundable registration fee.

For more information, check out the following publicity materials: (available in PDF format:) Some of the files below are large in size, please be patient while they load.
High School Student Brochure (618KB) High School Poster (370KB) University Student Brochure (1.52MB) 30 Second PSA (90KB)	Educator Brochure (557KB) Fundraising Brochure (1.8MB) Company Advisor Brochure (1.06MB) 2007 Special Report (878 KB)
If you do not have a PDF viewer, you may download the Free Adobe® Reader®.
Business Challenge Logo (215KB, JPG)
Business Challenge School Presentations: (To save these files to your computer, right click the link and go to "Save [Link] Target As".) [Netscape]
Sample Agenda (word) Power Point Presentation (This file is approximately 18MB and may take while to download.) A copy of the Business Challenge recruitment video is with your high school counselor