TD Bank and Venture Valley Bring Financial Education and Entrepreneurship to Johnson C. Smith University Through Gaming Competition

The Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship announced that TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, and the Venture Valley video game team are conducting a high-energy video game competition at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) in Charlotte, NC. Open to all JCSU and select local high school students, participants can earn cash prizes while gaming and gaining insights into budgeting, investment risk, profit-and-loss management, and much more.

The event will run from noon to 5:30 p.m. EDT on October 21, 2025, at JCSU’s Innovation Center Science Building in Charlotte, NC.

Developed by the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship, the award-winning Venture Valley is a free (no ads, no in-app purchases) multiplayer business simulation game available on PC (via Steam) and mobile (iOS and Android). Players start small by running a dog-walking business and work their way up to managing more complex ventures, such as drone factories or hovercraft ride-sharing services. Along the way, students learn about managing cash flow, balancing expenses, and making smart business investment decisions.

The collaboration between TD Bank and Venture Valley underscores both organizations’ shared goal of helping young people build financial confidence. A recent survey conducted among Venture Valley players found that more than 80% of students reported that the game effectively enhanced their understanding of entrepreneurship and financial education, while 82% stated that it inspired them to envision themselves as entrepreneurs.

“At TD Bank, we know that financial preparedness is critical for long-term success, especially in the small business sector, and we’re committed to supporting programs that make financial learning more accessible, engaging, and practical. Working with Venture Valley allows us to meet students where they are – on screens – and helps empower them to build the skills to be confident in their future financial decisions and entrepreneurial aspirations,” said Amber Tofilon, Head of U.S. Sustainability at TD Bank.

“After more than 50 school events and almost 300,000 students nationwide, we’ve seen firsthand how Venture Valley helps build confidence in managing money, taking risks, and thinking like an entrepreneur. Working with TD Bank allows us to bring that same impact to JCSU students and local high schoolers, making financial education accessible and empowering for young people in the Charlotte, NC, community,” said Beth Harris, Director of Marketing for the Venture Valley team.

“Bringing this opportunity to Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU)—the first HBCU to do so— through the university’s eSports and Gaming Trifecta highlights how esports and gaming can bridge education and entertainment. Our students gain real-world business and financial skills in an environment that makes learning both meaningful and fun,” said John Cash, JCSU Esports & Gaming Trifecta Professor.