DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION
OF BUSINESS LEADERS
Our Mission
At Aspire Incubator, our single goal is to empower high school juniors and seniors to start and operate real businesses. Through hands-on experience and ownership, students are not only taught the theory of entrepreneurship but are immersed in the daily activities of building, running, and scaling a business under the guidance of experienced mentors.
Aspire Incubator provides an unprecedented opportunity for local students to gain real-world business experience while creating economic impact in their communities.
Program Overview
Aspire Incubator is a nine-month entrepreneurship program tailored for juniors and seniors in regional high schools. Each semester, a cohort of 24 students is divided into six teams of four. Each team works on developing a real business, selecting from a curated list of business ideas, and executing all aspects of its operation under the mentorship of an experienced business leader.
How It Works:
A Framework for Success
Team Formation and Business Selection:
• Students are grouped into teams of four, with roles divided into Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Creative/Design.
• Each team selects a business concept from a list of ten pre-developed, mentor-curated ideas. These concepts include branding, initial customer profiles, and a foundational business plan to give students a realistic starting point.
Ownership Structure
• Students are given a 12.5% equity stake in their business upon joining the program.
• Teams are led by mentors, who are majority stakeholders and provide expert guidance throughout the process.
• At the end of the program, students can choose to remain as equity owners, with a vesting schedule provided to those who stay involved post-graduation.
Final Applicant Opportunity
• Students can pitch their own business idea to the cohort. If accepted, the student’s idea becomes their team’s project, and they receive a $1,000 bonus if the idea goes to market, along with an accelerated vesting schedule.
Program Phases
Orientation and Onboarding
Students are introduced to their teams, assigned roles, and provided foundational training in business planning, processes, and leadership.
Building the Foundation
During the first two months, students engage in intensive workshops to learn core skills in marketing, sales, operations, and creative strategy.
Role-Specific Development
Weekly segmented workshops allow students to refine their skills in their assigned roles.
Launch and Scale
Over the remaining months, students work collaboratively to grow their businesses, generating real sales and revenue under mentor supervision.
Graduation and Scaling
Each team presents its results at a formal banquet, highlighting key metrics, business outcomes, and growth potential. Students who remain involved receive lifelong access to Aspire’s alumni network and mentorship opportunities.
Why Aspire Incubator?
Real Impact
Aspire equips students with the skills, confidence, and ownership mindset to succeed in business and beyond.
Cutting-Edge Tools
Students use the latest AI and digital tools to market, scale, and evaluate their businesses effectively.
Mentorship
Local business leaders serve as mentors, guiding students through the challenges of running a business.
Economic Development
By investing in Aspire Incubator, you are directly fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators, creating a pipeline of talent for the regional economy.
DETAILED WEEKLY SCHEDULE
First Two Months
• Full Cohort Sessions: Twice a week, 2.5-hour workshops on business fundamentals.
• Role-Specific Workshops: Weekly sessions segmented by Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Creative/Design to deepen expertise.
• Mentor Engagement: Weekly check-ins with mentors for targeted guidance.
Remaining Seven Months
• Team Sessions: Weekly meetings to track progress, resolve challenges, and refine business strategies.
• Individual Team Troubleshooting: Weekly 30-minute troubleshooting sessions with mentors.
• Google Meet Check-ins: Virtual task reviews and updates to ensure alignment across all teams.
Graduation Banquet
• Formal presentations by each team, showcasing results, growth metrics, and business impact.
• Families, investors, and mentors celebrate the students’ success, marking their transition from learners to entrepreneurs.
🏆 CEO Excellence Award 🏆
The Aspire Incubator CEO Excellence Award is an incredible opportunity for high-performing students to take their entrepreneurial journey to the next level. This prestigious award recognizes the top student in each cohort, granting them the chance to lead a new company as CEO in the next cohort, alongside mentorship from the Aspire Incubator Leadership Team (AILT). With double equity ownership and advanced responsibilities, this pathway sets the stage for future leaders to shine.
Aspire Incubator represents a unique opportunity to invest in the development of future business leaders. By partnering with Aspire, you are directly contributing to the economic growth and innovation of our region while empowering the next generation to take ownership of their success.
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