Launch: An Entrepreneurial Challenge
Launch is a leadership program designed for middle school girls that includes a friendly competition. It challenges students to create, brand, and pitch a business idea. Students can work individually or with a friend on their business idea.
This program is taught by a woman entrepreneur and business owner. During each session, students learn about what it means to be an entrepreneur and what it takes to create a business.
Learn What it Takes to Be an Entrepreneur
Students will explore the leadership and business skills needed to transform an idea for a product/service into a business.
Be Persuasive
Students learn what makes a good business idea and how to effectively "pitch" the idea to others.
Tap into Your Creativity
Once they come up with their idea, students create a business brand and design a T-shirt.
Learn from Business Professionals
Remember, this is a competition. Students submit a short business plan and pitch their idea to business professionals. The winning pitch gets $50 but all students get feedback on their submission.
The program is designed to support the following Minnesota Department of Education social and emotional learning benchmarks for grades 5-8:
• Evaluate the role attitudes play in being successful.
• Recognize the factors that impact how they are perceived by others.
• Monitor how facial expressions, body language and tone impact interactions
An Overview of the Lessons
Lesson One: Who is an Entrepreneur?
Lesson Two: What Makes a Good Product?
Lesson Three: You Have to Have a Plan
Lesson Four: The Anatomy of a Company
Lesson Five: Defining Your Brand
Lesson Six: Selling Your Idea
Lesson Seven: The Bottom Line
Lesson Eight: Delighting the Customer
Lesson Nine: Time to Pitch