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
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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
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.
Aspire equips students with the skills, confidence, and ownership mindset to succeed in business and beyond.
Students use the latest AI and digital tools to market, scale, and evaluate their businesses effectively.
Local business leaders serve as mentors, guiding students through the challenges of running a business.
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.