Episode 5 – Interview with Venture Lab Founder & Executive Director

The Boost

Hosts:
Pablo Calvo: Linkedin
Leon Hitchens: Linkedin & X

Find Us:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoostChannel
Website: https://theboost.fm

Introduction:

Welcome to the new episode of The Boost, where we're diving into the incredible world of Venture Lab, an organization reshaping the future of education and entrepreneurship. Join us for an amazing conversation with Venture Lab founder, Dr. Cristal Glangchai, and Executive Director, Desma Dietz. We explore how Venture Lab empowers the next generation with the skills, confidence, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to thrive in an ever-changing global landscape. From its roots in addressing the underrepresentation in tech to its expansive global movement, Venture Lab is not just preparing kids for the jobs of tomorrow—it's revolutionizing the way we think about education and innovation. Join us as we uncover the inspiring journey of Venture Lab, the impact of its programs, and how it's paving the way for a more diverse, creative, and entrepreneurial future.

Meet the Guests:

• Dr. Cristal Glangchai, Founder of Venture Lab, shares the inception story of Venture Lab, fueled by her desire to address the underrepresentation of women and minorities in technology and entrepreneurship. Starting with teaching her young children entrepreneurial concepts, Cristal's vision expanded into schools, evolving into a global initiative.
• Desmond Dietz, Executive Director of Venture Lab, discusses the organization's mission to prepare youth for a rapidly changing world by fostering entrepreneurial skills and mindsets, thereby bridging the gap in education and addressing inequality in innovation and leadership.

Key Highlights:

• Venture Lab's Origin: A deep dive into how Venture Lab was born out of a need to encourage more girls and students of color to explore technology and entrepreneurship, beginning with innovative summer camps in San Antonio.
• Impactful Programs: Exploration of Venture Lab's unique programs that go beyond teaching kids to start companies, focusing instead on cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset that empowers them to navigate and shape their future.
• The Role of Educators: Insights into how Venture Lab trains educators to adopt and spread entrepreneurial education, ensuring the movement reaches a wide and diverse audience.
• Mentorship and Community Support: The importance of mentorship, partnerships, and community involvement in amplifying Venture Lab's reach and effectiveness, including how mentors and subject matter experts play a crucial role in inspiring and guiding the next generation.
• Looking Ahead: Reflections on Venture Lab's growth over the past decade, its aspirations for the future, and how it plans to continue impacting the lives of young entrepreneurs globally.

Conclusion:

Venture Lab stands at the forefront of redefining education for the modern era, making entrepreneurship an integral part of learning for children worldwide. By instilling confidence, creativity, and resilience in youth, Venture Lab is not just preparing them for the jobs of tomorrow but is actively contributing to a more diverse, innovative, and entrepreneurial future.
Stay tuned for more episodes of The Boost, and don't forget to visit venturelab.org to learn more about their incredible work and how you can get involved.

Visit Venture Lab:

• Venturelab.org