Winners of 2025 Junior Achievement Innovation Challenge

Press release

HAMDEN, Conn. - Quinnipiac University and Junior Achievement of Southwest New England (JA) announced today that the winners of the 2025 Junior Achievement Innovation Challenge will each receive a Presidential Merit Scholarship from Quinnipiac valued at $23,000 per year, totaling $92,000 over four years of full-time undergraduate study.

The scholarships will be awarded to members of the winning team in the competition’s “Tournament of Champions” finale, which will take place from 4-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22 at the Carl Hansen Student Center Piazza at Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Ave.

“We are proud to support the talented student innovators participating in the 2025 Junior Achievement Innovation Challenge,” said Holly Raider, dean of the Quinnipiac University School of Business. “By providing generous financial support, Quinnipiac is reinforcing its role as a leader in education, especially for students interested in entrepreneurship and business.”

The JA Innovation Challenge gives high school students hands-on experience in business planning and problem-solving. Throughout the academic year, teams from schools across Connecticut—including Berlin High School, Connecticut River Academy, East Hartford High School, Farmington High School, Manchester High School, New Britain High School, Newington High School, Terryville High School, Tolland High School and Torrington High School—identify real-world challenges, develop solutions and pitch their ideas in high-energy competitions.

The “Tournament of Champions” will feature student presentations, keynote speakers and a reception, bringing together students, educators and business professionals to recognize innovation and entrepreneurship. A panel of judges, including local business leaders and Quinnipiac representatives, will evaluate the final team pitches.

“We are excited to welcome these future leaders to our campus,” said Tom Ellett, chief experience officer at Quinnipiac, “These scholarship awards are a testament to Quinnipiac’s dedication to investing in ambitious students who show boundless potential.”

Jeremy Race, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, said, “We are truly grateful for Quinnipiac’s generous support. These scholarships will help foster the academic and entrepreneurial growth of JA students, giving them the chance to continue developing their skills in a university setting. This is a great opportunity for the winners to turn their innovative ideas into real-world success.”

To qualify for the scholarship, students must meet all admissions criteria at the time of application and maintain full-time undergraduate enrollment status. If a recipient qualifies for another Quinnipiac tuition award exceeding $23,000 per year, they will receive the higher of the two awards. Scholarships are not combinable and apply to tuition only.