EMERGING ENTREPRENEURS ACADEMY

An exclusive program for high school students interested in learning about and experiencing the life of an entrepreneur!

The Emerging Entrepreneurs Academy is an intensive 6-week entrepreneur workshop that is developing the Berks County business leaders of tomorrow. Please consider sponsoring a high school student in your school district.

Sponsor a Dream Chaser.
When they succeed we all win!

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Students who have an interest in someday owning a business will gain valuable insight and knowledge in recognizing opportunities and understanding the challenges of owning a business… directly from local entrepreneurs.

This interactive 6-week summer curriculum delivers a unique combination of educational workshops along with a internship-like experience for greater guidance to career decision making.

Outcomes and Takeaways

Students will have a better understanding of the real world of being an Entrepreneur and business owner. They will be taught by exceptional, real-world, practicing entrepreneurs sharing stories of successes and failures. The students will participate in role-playing and interactive activities as well as three (3) weeks of hands-on, in-the-field training.

Each student will receive a binder to collect all of the information they will receive as well as other resources. This material can be accessed for years to come. They will have a better understanding of what owning a business is really about and whether or not this might be the career path they want to pursue.

Evaluation Criteria

During the classroom week, students will draft questions about the topics discussed to pose to the business owner during their internship week. After spending time in the business, students will then be required to submit a paper answering the questions. There will be a total of 3 papers.

DID YOU KNOW?

60% of teens want to launch their own business!

STUDENT APPLICATION

Must be in 11th or 12th grade

Emerging Entrepreneurs Academy is a joint effort by Career Ready Berks in cooperation with the Small Business Resource Association.

Learn more

PROGRAM DETAILS

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

The EEA is a 6-week summer program for 11th and 12th grade students who have an interest in some day starting and owning a business.

Berks County Students

(scroll down for Lancaster students)

JUNE 16 - AUGUST 1, 2025
With the Week of July 4th OFF for the Independence Day Holiday.

Weeks 1, 3 and 5 will be in the classroom from 9 to 3:00 Monday Through Thursday; 9 to 12:30 Friday.

Weeks 2, 4 and 6 will require students to participate in an internship program with a local business.

6/9 – Alumni Picnic

6/16-6/20 – LearningWorkshop

6/24-6/28 – FieldWork/Internship

6/30-7/4 - WEEK OFF for Independence Day Holiday

7/7-7/11 – LearningWorkshop

7/14-7/18 – FieldWork/Internship

7/21–7/25 – LearningWorkshop

7/28–7/30 - FieldWork/Internship

7/31 - Dream Pitch Presentation

8/1 - Expo and Banquet

Where

Penn State Berks Campus
Lunches will be provided Monday through Friday

Internships

Internship experience will be matched with the best business depending on the student’s industry of interest.

High School Sophomore and Juniors will complete an application. Emerging Entrepreneurs Academy staff will review applications and select qualifying students from each high school. Our goal is to identify 2 students/school district. Up to 36 students will be selected from the Berks County high schools. At least 33% of the registrations will be reserved for underserved students in our community.

Each selected student will be asked to complete a customized entrepreneur skill assessment prior to start of program.

Application Process

Students will complete an application. CRB and guidance counselors will review applications and select qualifying students from each high school. In 2023, 2 students will be selected from each School District in Berks County.

STUDENT APPLICATION

AGENDA

Weeks 1, 3 and 5 will be in the classroom:
9-3, Monday through Thursday
9-12:30 Friday

Weeks 2, 4 and 6 will require student to participate in an internship program with a local business.

Week 1: Getting Started

Topics to include:

What is an Entrepreneur?
Fundamentals of being an Entrepreneur
Which business is right for me?
Market analysis and competition
Leadership – what it takes to be a leader, develop a leadership team, gather followers and problem-solving

Week 3: Let's Talk Paperwork!

Creating a legal business entity
Financing, Accountability, Management and Business Projections

Insurance and Risk Management
Start-up – developing a business plan and projections (2 days)

Developing and sticking to a Mission and Vision

Week 5: Going to Market

Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations

The Power of Social Media

Developing a Website and Building a Brand

Sales

Creating a Culture

Human Resources, Hiring, Managing, Maximizing, Retaining and Firing

Work/Life Balance

PROGRAM INVESTMENT

$2,500 / STUDENT

Scholarship money will be available for all of a student’s tuition.
It is intended that the cost for the students will be underwritten through grants and business sponsorships.