I’ve spent years inside classrooms and club rooms watching students fall in love with the startup process once it feels like a game. I created a card game to make that switch happen faster, and I’ve tested countless activities to see what actually clicks.
My goal has always been simple: help students and club members learn how to pitch, validate, and iterate without needing a semester-long course. I wanted fast, repeatable sessions that spark real skills.
What pushed me was seeing how many clubs struggled to move from talks to doing. Speakers are great, but habits form during hands-on practice. I went hunting for activities that create reps, not just notes.
Finding the right mix took longer than I expected. Some sessions felt fun but fluffy. Others were so complex they drained energy. The sweet spot is short, structured, and replayable.
I’ve also noticed something most strong founders do early: they pitch often, get quick feedback, and learn to tell a tight story. Clubs that bake this into weekly meetings grow faster.
You don’t need expensive software or a giant budget. You need a few reliable formats and tools that make practice feel low-stakes and high-learning.
This guide shares the seven activities I reach for first, why they work, what they cost, and how I run them step by step. It’s my honest take from many messy, fun club nights.
Here’s a quick summary before we jump into details.
7 entrepreneurship club activities for 2026
Scroll down for my detailed take on each activity, which one I use most, and the free options I suggest for brand‑new clubs.
What is an entrepreneurship club activity?
An entrepreneurship club activity is a structured, hands-on exercise or tool designed to teach startup skills through practice. The primary purpose is to build pitching, validation, and collaboration habits in short sessions.
I like the saying, “You learn to pitch by pitching.” Clubs thrive when members can practice weekly, get feedback, and iterate quickly. These activities turn abstract ideas into muscle memory and confidence.
Think of a strong activity as worth several classroom lectures. Ten tight practice pitches in a single meeting can match the impact of weeks of passive learning, because everyone gets reps and real-time notes.
At their core, these activities help students, founders, and club members simulate real startup moves, using prompts, canvases, and role‑play inputs, to produce sharper ideas, cleaner stories, and stronger teamwork.
Many clubs pair these with tools like online canvases, slide templates, no‑code builders, and feedback forms to capture results and track progress over time.
Not every option fits every group, though, so it pays to pick activities that match your goals, size, and time window.
How to choose the best entrepreneurship club activities
Choosing activities can feel overwhelming. There are countless games, canvases, and toolkits, and you only have an hour a week to make real progress.
I wrote this guide to help you find a few high‑leverage sessions that match your goals and your group’s energy, not someone else’s checklist.
Most lists you’ll find are written by vendors or media sites with paid placements. I am not sponsored by any platform on this list. What follows is my straight take based on what has worked for me and the clubs I support.
Here are some questions you should ask when looking for an activity:
- Does it offer a free option or low-cost setup for clubs?
- Can beginners jump in and complete the core task in 30–60 minutes?
- Will the format scale to larger meetings or semester‑long programs?
- How does cost grow if you add more members or need more materials?
- Does it cover the skills you want this month (pitching, validation, MVP)?
- Can you track outcomes or capture feedback for improvement?
- Is it easy to switch to another activity if this one misses?
- Are there clear facilitation guides and safety/quality tips?
- Do any tools require specific accounts, devices, or permissions?
It is a lot, I know, but my ranked picks below answer these questions and give you a simple place to start.
Okay, enough of me rambling, let’s get into the list.
7 best entrepreneurship club activities in 2026
Here are my top picks for the best entrepreneurship club activities:
- Products: The Card Game
- The Marshmallow Challenge
- Lean Canvas Sprint (Leanstack)
- Pitch Deck Tear‑Down (Sequoia Template)
- MVP in a Day (Glide)
- Customer Discovery Role‑Play (Strategyzer VPC)
- Brand Sprint (Canva Whiteboards)
Let’s see which one is right for you.
1. Products: The Card Game
Products: The Card Game is a fast, replayable activity designed to teach pitching through play. It’s been named the #1 entrepreneurship game by Entrepreneur, The Globe and Mail, and Nasdaq, which gives clubs confidence to try it first.
You can start with a single deck and be running in minutes. Each round, the investor draws a Product card, players add a Feature card, and everyone delivers a 60‑second pitch. The investor picks the winner. First to three wins.
I keep improving the Educator’s Edition with fresh classroom activities, lesson plans, and resources that map to core entrepreneurship skills. Clubs get plug‑and‑play formats that fit 20‑, 40‑, or 60‑minute sessions.
For deeper programs, the Educator’s Edition layers in guided reflections, scorecards, and variations like investor Q&A or customer‑persona rounds that mirror real pitch meetings. Most games don’t offer this much structure for clubs.
I use it every week because it makes shy members jump in. It’s not sponsored content—that would be silly here. I built it to fix a real problem and I still reach for it first.
One more thing I love: it scales. You can run multiple tables at once and finish with a club‑wide finals round that feels like a mini demo day.
How it works and key features
The core experience is a simple turn‑based loop: draw, match, pitch, judge, repeat. The rules take two minutes to explain. Variants let you add timers, Q&A, or co‑founder pairs to encourage teamwork.
Prompt cards cover diverse categories, so members learn to frame value fast. The Educator’s Edition adds lesson plans, worksheets, and pacing guides, so facilitators can run sessions without heavy prep.
Clubs can track wins, feedback notes, and “best lines” in shared docs or whiteboards. For automation, I suggest a recurring feedback form after each meeting to log progress and highlight next steps.
Support resources include facilitation tips, challenge modes, and printable score sheets. As one teacher told me, “My quiet students found their voice in under an hour.” — High school business teacher
Overall, it’s friendly for beginners yet sharp enough for advanced pitch drills.
Who it’s for
Best for student clubs, entrepreneurship classes, accelerators, summer camps, and community groups. It shines for rapid pitching, idea warm‑ups, and meeting openers. Educator resources help instructors align to lessons.
If you need deep financial modeling or full deck building, you’ll pair it with other tools. No technical skill required; just show up and play.
Products: The Card Game pricing
Pricing is flat and simple. Buy once and reuse across sessions, with optional educator materials for structured programs.
- Standard Edition: $25 one‑time, includes core deck and rules.
- Educator’s Edition: $75 one‑time, adds lesson plans, classroom activities, and supplementary resources.
Compared to software subscriptions, this is budget‑friendly and reusable across semesters. Many clubs start with one deck, then add more as attendance grows.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Super fast setup; clear rules and 60‑second pitches
- High replay value with many card combos
- Affordable one‑time pricing; scales with extra decks
- Educator’s Edition adds structured lesson support
Cons
- Not a full deck‑building or slide tool
- Requires in‑person or live video facilitation
If you want rapid pitch reps with minimal prep, this is my top pick. If you only need deck design, choose a slide tool instead.
Products: The Card Game reviews
This game isn’t listed on G2 or Capterra. Recognition from Entrepreneur, The Globe and Mail, and Nasdaq has driven adoption, and most feedback comes directly from educators and club leaders.
2. The Marshmallow Challenge
The Marshmallow Challenge is a classic team exercise focused on fast prototyping and iteration. Originated by Tom Wujec, it’s widely used by schools and companies as a simple, high‑energy build sprint.
Setup is easy: give teams spaghetti, tape, string, and a marshmallow. In 18 minutes, they must build the tallest free‑standing structure that supports the marshmallow. Then debrief what worked and why.
What keeps it fresh is the reflection. Teams learn that sketching is helpful, but quick testing beats long planning. It mirrors MVP thinking and helps new groups gel fast.
For advanced clubs, I add constraints like budget “costs” for materials or investor check‑ins at minute 9. This encourages communication under pressure and better role assignment.
I use it early in a semester to build trust and momentum. It’s a reliable icebreaker that still teaches core startup lessons.
Facilitation guides and FAQs are available online, which helps first‑time organizers run it well.
How it works and key features
The interface is the room. Materials are the “tools.” The challenge creates natural iteration cycles: try, test, adjust. There are downloadable instructions and slides to run timing and rules cleanly.
Customization options include round length, material limits, and scoring. Add a learning journal or photo board for later reflection. Analytics are manual: measure heights and capture lessons learned.
Automation is simple—use a countdown timer and a shared doc to collect insights. Support comes from the official site’s facilitation resources.
It’s beginner‑friendly and a good reset for teams that tend to over‑plan.
Who it’s for
Great for clubs, classes, hackathons, leadership programs, and new teams. It excels at collaboration, quick testing, and debrief skills.
If your group only wants pitch practice, pick another activity. No technical skill required, just table space.
The Marshmallow Challenge pricing
Instructions are free, and materials are inexpensive from any store.
- Facilitation Guides: Free to access online.
- Materials: Low‑cost (spaghetti, tape, string, marshmallows), per session.
You control costs by reusing timers and slides. It’s one of the most budget‑friendly team activities you can run.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast setup and clear instructions
- Strong lessons on iteration and testing
- Great for new groups to build trust
Cons
- Physical space needed
- Not focused on pitching or customer work
Choose this when you want energy and teamwork. Pair it with a pitch session for a full meeting.
The Marshmallow Challenge reviews
This activity isn’t on G2/Capterra. It’s widely referenced in education and design communities, with facilitation resources available from the creators.
3. Lean Canvas Sprint (Leanstack)
Leanstack provides online Lean Canvas tools built around Ash Maurya’s framework. It’s focused on helping teams quickly map business models, test assumptions, and iterate with evidence.
Clubs can start on a free plan and invite members to fill one canvas together. The interface is simple: edit fields, add notes, and link experiments. It keeps everyone on the same page.
Recent updates on many canvas platforms include better collaboration and versioning, which helps clubs compare ideas week over week and show progress to mentors.
Paid tiers add portfolio views, coaching features, and experiment tracking, which are helpful for multi‑team cohorts. These features are not common on basic whiteboards.
I use Lean Canvas sprints to force clarity. Members often say, “We thought we agreed—turns out we didn’t until we wrote it down.” That moment saves weeks later.
Leanstack’s learning materials give facilitators solid prompts and examples so groups don’t get stuck on jargon.
How it works and key features
The editor is a structured board with nine blocks. You can customize labels, add notes, and link tests. Templates guide first‑timers through each box with tips and examples.
Advanced users can attach documents, link to interview notes, and create experiment cards. Reporting highlights changes and learning velocity across canvases.
Automation includes reminders and status updates for tests. Many programs also export canvases to share with mentors or judges.
Support includes articles, workshops, and playbooks. The experience is balanced: easy for beginners, structured for serious teams.
Who it’s for
Ideal for clubs, accelerators, capstone courses, and hackathons. Great for idea selection, business model clarity, and tracking learning.
If your meeting is only 20 minutes, pick a lighter activity. Minimal technical skill needed.
Lean Canvas Sprint (Leanstack) pricing
Leanstack uses tiered pricing based on features and seats, with a free plan to get started.
- Free: Create canvases, basic collaboration.
- Paid Plans: Pricing listed on site; add coaching, portfolios, and advanced tracking.
Value feels fair for clubs that want structure. Start free, then upgrade only if you’re managing multiple teams or need coaching workflows.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Focused on Lean Canvas with solid guidance
- Free entry point for clubs
- Good for tracking multiple teams
Cons
- Less flexible than general whiteboards
- May feel formal for casual meetups
Pick this if you want clarity and progress tracking. Choose a whiteboard if you prefer open‑ended brainstorming.
Lean Canvas Sprint (Leanstack) reviews
Leanstack isn’t broadly rated on G2/Capterra like mainstream whiteboards. Most feedback comes via startup education communities and program leads.
4. Pitch Deck Tear‑Down (Sequoia Template)
Sequoia’s classic pitch deck outline is a solid way to teach story order. The activity is simple: tear down famous decks or build quick slides using the template’s sections.
Entry is free, and you can run it with Google Slides or any tool you like. I timebox teams to create five‑slide drafts, then present for two minutes each.
Many clubs now use public teardown videos and blog posts to compare structures. This keeps the session fresh and grounded in real examples.
Advanced runs add investor Q&A, or swap founders and “investors” halfway to sharpen both sides. It’s a clean bridge to demo day prep.
I keep this on rotation because it builds a solid sense of order: problem, solution, market, model, team, and ask. Reps matter here.
The open template means clubs of any size can join without special accounts.
How it works and key features
Use the template as a structure, not a script. Teams sketch bullet points per slide, then tighten language. Templates are editable, so you can rename sections for your audience.
Technical users can add charts, customer quotes, or traction screenshots. Analytics are manual—judges score clarity and flow. Automation can be a shared form for scoring and comments.
Support comes from public guides and sample decks. The experience fits both first‑timers and advanced presenters.
Who it’s for
Good for founders, pitch teams, marketing clubs, and case comps. Excels at storytelling, structure, and Q&A practice.
If your group wants building, pick MVP activities. No special technical skills needed.
Pitch Deck Tear‑Down pricing
Template access is free, and slide tools often have free tiers.
- Template: Free resources available from Sequoia and public guides.
- Slide Tools: Free options via Google Slides or similar platforms.
It’s cost‑effective and easy to repeat across meetings with new examples.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear, proven slide order
- Works with free tools
- Pairs well with mock investor Q&A
Cons
- Can feel formulaic if overused
- Less hands‑on than prototyping activities
Use it to sharpen narrative skills. Rotate with build or interview sessions to balance skills.
Pitch Deck Tear‑Down reviews
Templates are not rated on G2/Capterra. Community feedback comes from VC blogs, founder forums, and teardown videos.
5. MVP in a Day (Glide)
Glide is a no‑code platform that turns spreadsheets into simple apps. It’s designed for fast, shareable prototypes without heavy technical skills or deployment headaches.
Start on the free plan using a Google Sheet. The builder feels like a visual editor: add tabs, filters, and actions. In a single meeting, teams can click through a real workflow.
Recent no‑code advances make it easier to add logic, user roles, and basic data security. That means clubs can demo real user journeys, not just slides.
Paid tiers add richer components, data sources, and usage limits suitable for pilots. That level of polish helps when you want feedback from real users after the meeting.
I like it for weekend sprint showcases. Seeing a working link changes how teams talk about scope and feasibility.
Documentation and templates are strong, so first‑timers rarely get stuck.
How it works and key features
The editor is WYSIWYG with drag‑and‑drop components. Templates cover CRMs, directories, and simple marketplaces that you can customize with your data.
Advanced users can add actions, conditions, and integrations. Analytics include basic usage and user events inside the app. Automation can trigger emails or updates based on user actions.
Beyond apps, you can build admin panels and simple landing pages. Support includes docs, community forums, and tutorials.
Overall, it’s beginner‑friendly with enough power to impress mentors.
Who it’s for
Perfect for non‑technical founders, student teams, hackathons, and demo day pilots. It excels at clickable MVPs, data collection, and workflow demos.
If you need deep custom code or complex backends, look elsewhere. Basic spreadsheet skills help, but no coding required.
MVP in a Day (Glide) pricing
Glide has a free plan and paid tiers based on features and usage.
- Free: Build and share simple apps with core components.
- Paid Plans: Pricing on site; expand features, data, and usage limits.
For clubs, starting free is enough for demos. Upgrade only if you run ongoing pilots or need higher limits.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very fast MVP building from spreadsheets
- Useful templates and tutorials
- Free plan suitable for meetings
Cons
- Usage limits on free tiers
- Complex apps may hit platform ceilings
Use Glide when you want something clickable today. Choose code or other no‑code tools if you need niche features.
MVP in a Day (Glide) reviews
Glide is covered on review sites like G2 and Product Hunt, with generally positive feedback about speed and ease. Check the latest ratings on those platforms for current details.
6. Customer Discovery Role‑Play (Strategyzer VPC)
Strategyzer’s Value Proposition Canvas helps teams connect customer pains and gains to product features. I turn it into a role‑play where one student is the customer and another is the interviewer.
Start with the free canvas download and a short primer on good interview habits. In pairs, run 5‑minute interviews, then map insights onto the canvas, and rotate roles.
Clubs often add a “don’t sell, just learn” rule to keep interviews honest. It teaches restraint and better listening, which leads to sharper ideas.
Paid tools from Strategyzer offer digital canvases and team features for programs that want deeper tracking. For a club hour, the printed canvas works well.
I’ve seen this unlock a team stuck for weeks. Customers talk; teams adjust; pitches improve fast.
The methodology is clear, and facilitators can run it without heavy prep.
How it works and key features
The “interface” is the canvas. Teams list jobs, pains, and gains, then map features that relieve pains and create gains. Templates keep language focused and practical.
Advanced users add interview notes, quotes, and evidence tags. You can track patterns across teams and highlight the strongest insights.
Automation can be as simple as a shared form after each interview. Support includes books, guides, and workshops from Strategyzer.
This activity is friendly for beginners and serious enough for accelerators.
Who it’s for
Best for founders, product clubs, service designers, and research teams. It excels at interview practice and product‑market fit thinking.
If your group only wants building today, run this another week. No technical skills required.
Customer Discovery Role‑Play pricing
You can start free with downloadable canvases. Strategyzer’s software and courses are paid and listed on their site.
- Free Canvas: Printable VPC templates and guides.
- Paid Tools/Courses: Pricing available on site for teams and programs.
Most clubs stay free for meetings. Programs upgrade if they want digital tracking and coaching features.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sharp focus on real customer needs
- Builds interview skill and restraint
- Free to start with printable templates
Cons
- Less flashy than pitch or build sessions
- Needs quiet space for good interviews
Pick this if your ideas feel fuzzy. It turns opinions into evidence.
Customer Discovery Role‑Play reviews
The canvas isn’t listed on software review sites as a standalone. The Strategyzer approach is widely cited in product and startup education.
7. Brand Sprint (Canva Whiteboards)
Canva Whiteboards let teams co‑create brand foundations fast. I run a 45‑minute sprint covering audience, value promise, voice, and a quick visual pass on logo and colors.
You can start on Canva’s free plan and invite teammates with a link. The board feels open but guided if you drop in prompts and frames ahead of time.
Recent improvements in collaboration and templates make it easier to lock a starter kit in one meeting. That way teams leave with a shareable brand board.
Pro plans add brand kits, premium fonts, and export options, which help when polishing pitch decks and websites.
I like the energy this creates. Students see identity take shape and feel proud of their project faster.
Tutorials and templates reduce facilitator prep, which helps busy club leaders.
How it works and key features
The interface is a visual whiteboard with draggable frames and assets. Templates cover brand exercises and slide styles you can tweak.
Advanced users upload logos, set brand kits, and connect assets across designs. Analytics are light; use shared feedback forms for ratings.
Automation can include shared links and version history. Support comes from help docs, templates, and community videos.
It’s beginner‑friendly, with enough polish for demo day slides.
Who it’s for
Best for marketing clubs, early‑stage founders, and pitch teams. It shines for logos, color palettes, and slide styling.
If you need deep design control, a pro design tool may suit better. No technical skills required.
Brand Sprint (Canva Whiteboards) pricing
Canva offers a free plan with collaboration, plus paid Pro tiers with extra assets and brand features.
- Free: Team collaboration on whiteboards and basic assets.
- Pro: Pricing on site; adds brand kits, premium content, and exports.
Most clubs do fine on free. Upgrade if you want shared brand kits and premium templates for events.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast, collaborative brand building
- Plenty of starter templates
- Free plan is generous for clubs
Cons
- Limited analytics on engagement
- Less control than pro design suites
Choose this if you want a clean, shareable brand kit fast. For advanced design, hand off to a design tool later.
Brand Sprint (Canva Whiteboards) reviews
Canva is well covered on G2 and similar sites with strong feedback on ease of use. Check those platforms for current ratings and details.
What is the best entrepreneurship club activity right now?
My top picks are Products: The Card Game, The Marshmallow Challenge, and Lean Canvas Sprint with Leanstack. They cover pitching, teamwork, and business model clarity—three skills your members will use all year.
Products: The Card Game is my number one because I use it constantly and see results fast. This isn’t sponsored; I made it to solve a real club problem. I first tested it in mixed‑skill groups that dreaded public speaking. The 60‑second timer, funny prompts, and investor role flipped the room from nervous to eager. What sold me was how repeatable it is. In 30 minutes, everyone pitches, gets feedback, and wants another round.
On value, it’s hard to beat. A single $25 deck runs countless meetings. The $75 Educator’s Edition adds structured lesson plans that save hours of prep. Compared to recurring software costs, clubs can stretch their budgets and still deliver sharp practice every week.
My second choice, The Marshmallow Challenge, is a close pick for day one or early‑semester bonding. It creates instant trust and shows why testing early works. When teams have strong dynamics, every other activity gets easier. If your club is brand new, I’d start here, then roll into pitch sessions.
Its unique strength is the debrief. You’ll hear insights about planning vs. testing that carry into Lean Canvas work and pitch decks. In a different context—like a leadership retreat—I might choose it first.
My third pick, Lean Canvas Sprint with Leanstack, is perfect when ideas need structure. The free plan gets you moving, and the guided blocks stop teams from talking past each other. If you don’t need tracking or coaching tools, the free tier is plenty for weekly meetings.
I also mix tools. A typical month looks like this: Marshmallow Challenge to bond, Products: The Card Game for pitch reps, Lean Canvas to align, and a Glide MVP sprint for a working demo. That blend keeps energy high and progress real.
Deciding between these is tough because they serve different moments. I stick with Products: The Card Game as my default because it builds confidence and storytelling fast, and it scales with any group size.
I hope this helped you lock your next few meetings. Have fun, keep it practical, and get those reps in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many people can play Products: The Card Game in one club meeting?
I’ve run it with small groups and full classrooms by splitting into tables. One deck works well for 4–8 players. For bigger clubs, run multiple tables, then host a finals round.
Q: What’s the difference between the Standard and Educator’s Edition?
The Standard Edition includes the full game and rules for $25. The Educator’s Edition, at $75, adds classroom activities, lesson plans, and resources that make planning and assessment easier.
Q: We only have 45 minutes. Which activity should we pick?
I’d start with Products: The Card Game or a Pitch Deck Tear‑Down. Both fit well in under an hour and leave room for feedback. Save Lean Canvas or MVP builds for longer sessions.
Q: Do we need any special software or accounts for these activities?
No special tools for most. Leanstack, Glide, and Canva offer free plans you can use with a club email. The Marshmallow Challenge and the card game work with simple, in‑room setups.
Q: How do I measure progress across meetings?
I track simple metrics: pitch clarity scores, time to first MVP, and number of interviews completed. Use a shared form after each session and review highlights at the start of the next meeting.
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About the Author
Aaron Heienickle is the founder of Skypig and the creator of Products: The Card Game, a hands-on entrepreneurship game played in classrooms, family game nights, and corporate offsites across the country.
He started Skypig his senior year of high school and has been building it ever since. Aaron studied Marketing and Computer Science at the University of Missouri and is a regular at Missouri Startup Weekend, one of the largest pitch competitions in the state.
Through Skypig, Aaron has worked with educators, students, and corporate teams to bring entrepreneurship to life through doing — not just discussing. Learn more about Aaron.