EntreEd and IU1 Partner to Expand Entrepreneurship in Classrooms

The National Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education (EntreEd), in partnership with Intermediate Unit 1 (IU1), is proud to announce the launch of ΣTEAM Jumpstart: Educator Innovation Grant Lab. Funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum and EQT Foundations, this pilot initiative builds educator capacity and brings high-impact entrepreneurship education to classrooms across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, with a special focus on Fayette, Greene, and Washington Counties (PA) and surrounding rural regions. 

“Educators have brilliant, innovative ideas for their classrooms, but too often the barrier of funding gets in the way,” said Sarah D’Urzo, IU1 Coordinator of Innovation and Design. “ΣTEAM Jumpstart gives teachers the tools, confidence, and support they need to turn their ideas into funded projects that directly impact students and communities.”

ΣTEAM Jumpstart officially launches this fall to address a critical need: closing the gap between innovative classroom ideas and successful grant funding. In IU1’s most recent cycle, only 12 of 28 educator proposals were funded—not for lack of creativity, but due to gaps in proposal writing and support.

As part of the program, participating educators will engage in a four-part virtual workshop series designed to build confidence in grant writing and classroom innovation. Each session provides practical tools and strategies to strengthen proposals and increase funding success.

ΣTEAM Jumpstart: Educator Innovation Grant Lab Workshops include: 

How to Build a Fundable Grant Proposal – Structure compelling proposals aligned with IU1 priorities.

Leveraging Secure Uses of AI to Save Time – Explore safe, practical applications of generative AI to streamline the grant-writing process.

Storytelling and Student Impact Narratives – Craft powerful narratives that showcase classroom innovation and student outcomes.

Budgeting Basics and Logic Models – Learn essential tools for accurate budgeting and integrating entrepreneurship into everyday teaching.

Learn More and Register for a Workshop

Alongside the workshops, the IU1 Innovation Grants are open for applications for the 2025–2026 school year. These grants, funded by the Benedum and EQT Foundations, provide educators the resources to bring entrepreneurial ideas to life in their classrooms. The workshop series directly supports applicants by strengthening their proposals and increasing funding success. 

Learn More and Apply for an Innovation Grant 

To celebrate the program’s impact, IU1 will host the Rolling Forward Conference featuring the Annual Innovation Showcase on Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. Educators, students, schools, and partners from across Southwestern Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio will highlight their Innovation Grant success stories. Attendees can explore a wide variety of projects, including sustainable agriculture, energy sources, digital design and fabrication, computer science, robotics, mathematics, anatomy, arts, and more.

Register for the Rolling Forward Conference and Innovation Showcase

About EntreEd
The National Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education (EntreEd) serves as the compass and campfire for the national entrepreneurship education ecosystem.

About IU1
Intermediate Unit 1 (IU1) is a regional educational service agency serving Fayette, Greene, and Washington Counties in Pennsylvania, providing innovative solutions, technical support, and professional development for educators.

Media Contact:
Megan Westbrook – [email protected]