The Startup Corps program is student centered, market based, and aimed to be transformative.
Each program starts with facilitated student introspection: What are their strengths? Weaknesses? What do they value the most? What problems in the world, in their communities, or in a market are they most passionate about solving?
Once a student identifies a problem they wish to address, they devise a unique solution to solve it and are encouraged to take immediate action to develop the solution. How can they take steps toward proving or disproving the underlying assumptions of their plans? How can they attract the resources – talent, materials, information, relationships – to make their vision a reality?
Once this common problem-solving framework has been established, the program begins to layer on more discrete skill sets, such as goal setting, marketing, business development, networking and financial literacy, among others. The program also encourages students to test these new found skills outside of their schools and classrooms – by talking with potential customers, partners, and attending conferences and networking events.
To help with this ambitious goal, Startup Corps engages the regional entrepreneurial community to take part in the educational process. Volunteer entrepreneurs can assist in many ways, including guest speaking, one-on-one mentorship, or even ad-hoc advice. One way that volunteers can make a lasting impact on the program is by working with Startup Corps to develop lesson plans based on their unique expertise. Institutionalizing the knowledge of the entrepreneurial community is how Startup Corps can continue to create fresh, market-based content, while also facilitating the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next.
By the end of the year, students have created something that is both real and meaningful to them, because it is rooted in their values and passions.
Help students turn their ideas into reality. Learn more about getting involved.