Entrepreneurship Program & Lab

Program Structure

Year One: Building a Strong Financial Foundation

In the first year of the program, students will focus on developing a solid foundation in both business and personal finance concepts. This year is designed to introduce key financial skills and entrepreneurial ideas in a way that is engaging and accessible for young teenagers, many of whom may have limited exposure to these topics. As 9th graders, students may not yet have had many responsibilities or experiences that build a strong financial and commercial foundation. Therefore, this program is tailored to be relatable and easy to understand.

Key areas covered in Year One include:

• Balancing a Checkbook: Students will learn how to track income and expenses, manage bank accounts, and develop responsible money management habits.

• Marketing and Sales: Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of marketing, including strategies for promoting products or services, and the basics of sales techniques.

• Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Students will explore the concept of entrepreneurship, including what it means to start and run a business, and how to spot opportunities and challenges.

• Leadership: The program emphasizes the development of leadership skills, helping students understand the importance of leading by example and working with others effectively.

In addition to financial literacy, Year One is about cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. Students will begin to develop the skills and mindset that are crucial for success in business, such as:

• Recognizing Challenges and Opportunities: From time management and risk-taking to problem-solving and resilience, students will begin to understand the real-world hurdles entrepreneurs face.

• Collaborative Thinking: Emphasis is placed on working together, sharing ideas, and learning from peers — essential skills for any entrepreneur.

By the end of Year One, students will not only feel more confident about their financial knowledge, but they’ll also have a clearer vision of the entrepreneurial path ahead, equipped with the foundational skills to pursue business ventures and leadership roles.

Years Two & Three: From Ideas to Action — The Incubator Experience

After laying a strong foundation in personal finance and entrepreneurial thinking, students in Years Two and Three of the program will enter a dynamic Incubator model designed to bring their business ideas to life. This is where innovation meets execution.

Students will immerse themselves in a hands-on, project-based environment where they’ll:

• Brainstorm and Ideate: Explore real-world problems and generate creative, actionable solutions.

• Experiment and Refine: Test business ideas, gather feedback, and iterate — embracing failure as a critical step toward success.

• Develop Resilience: Learn to adapt, problem-solve, and bounce back from setbacks with confidence and grit.

Real Mentorship, Real Insights

Throughout this journey, students won’t go it alone. They’ll be supported by a network of external mentors and industry professionals who provide guidance, share real-world experiences, and help connect classroom learning to the challenges of today’s business world.

Entrepreneurial Curriculum That Supports Growth

To equip students with the tools they need to succeed, the program incorporates targeted instruction in key business disciplines, including:

• Marketing & Sales: Understanding customer needs and bringing products to market.

• Management: Leading teams, setting goals, and organizing operations.

• Economics, Finance & Accounting: Learning how money flows through a business, and how to plan, analyze, and sustain growth.

By the end of Year Three, students will have the experience, knowledge, and confidence to present well-developed business concepts — and take their first real steps as young entrepreneurs.

Year Four: Launch and Scale — The Accelerator

In the final year of the program, students enter the Accelerator phase — where ideas become real, and businesses take flight.

Building on everything they’ve learned and developed in the previous years, students will now focus on transforming their prototypes into fully operational ventures. This is the moment where entrepreneurial vision meets real-world execution.

From Prototype to Profit

Students will:

• Build and Launch their own businesses, refining their products or services for market readiness.

• Manufacture and Sell their offerings, gaining hands-on experience in operations, fulfillment, and customer engagement.

• Test and Scale their ideas in real conditions, learning how to adapt quickly and grow strategically.

Access to Real Resources and Real Opportunities

As part of the Accelerator, students will unlock the full support of the BWL (Business, Work & Life) network, including:

• Professional Mentorship

• Business Resources

• Access to Investors

• Potential Funding Opportunities

Whether students aim to continue growing their business post-graduation or use their experience as a launchpad for future ventures, they’ll leave the program with practical skills, meaningful connections, and the confidence to lead in any field.

This final year doesn’t just teach entrepreneurship — it empowers students to live it.