Arrupe Jesuit High School: One path, from middle school up.

From a club to college credit.

In 2019, the Center gave Arrupe $7,000 to start an entrepreneurship club. In 2023 it became a dual-enrollment class, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, adapted from a Regis MBA course. Seniors build a business from scratch and earn Regis credit that transfers to most U.S. universities.

On the Finals stage.

Each spring the class pitches at Regis to a panel of business leaders, and the winning team goes on to the Finals: EnvioBag, a biodegradable hemp tote, in 2023, and Yum Dum, a toy for blind and deaf dogs, in 2024. Arrupe is a Cristo Rey school, where students work to help pay for their education.

One path, from middle school up.

1. Middle school. In 2024, three teams from Compass Academy, a Denver middle school, pitched beside Arrupe’s seniors. Middle school pitches of their own are next.
2. High school. Arrupe seniors build a business for Regis credit and pitch it at Regis each spring.
3. The Innovation Challenge. Arrupe’s winning team pitches at the Finals, on the same stage as every other business.
4. The Magis Factory. The accelerator where Challenge businesses keep growing.

Ruben Martinez.

Regis alum (’07, ’10) and University Trustee. Director of Marketing at Arrupe Jesuit High School.

Ruben has worked with the Innovation Center since the beginning. He spoke at its Executive Night Speaker Series in 2018, and Glamping Hub, the company he co-founded, is a founding partner of the Magis Factory.

He taught Arrupe’s first Innovation and Entrepreneurship class. He judges Innovation Challenge pitch nights and speaks to teams about their pitches. Now he’s helping set up the upcoming middle school pitches, so a student can start at 11 and grow into the Challenge.

“Skills they’re learning as entrepreneurs will serve them, whether they become entrepreneurs or not.”