SEEKING COACHES & MENTORS
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SCENES FROM THE BUSINESS INCUBATOR
What is the Business Incubator?
The LFHS Foundation partnered with Lake Forest High School to create the Business Incubator in Fall 2014. This Junior level Honors course in the Business Department offers students a unique opportunity to become true entrepreneurs by creating and developing their own product or service. Students are coached and mentored by real entrepreneurs and business experts from our community and beyond. During the year long course, student teams learn about ideation, marketing, accounting, human resources, as well as the legal and financial aspects of running a business. Principles and processes from the LEAN concept - a scientific approach to creating and managing startups - guide students as they test their thinking and vision. To further inspire creativity, a customized classroom has been designed to ignite brainstorming and foster collaboration as students develop products and services for the real world. The course culminates in Pitch Night, a “Shark-Tank” style presentation where student teams present their innovative ideas to a Board of Directors for the chance to earn funding for their businesses. Part of this process also includes the student teams working to create promotional materials, press releases, and to solicit potential investors to attend Pitch Night.
Teams that are funded during Pitch Night then have the option to continue on with the process of starting up their business during the second year program, the Business Accelerator – a Senior level honors business class. Individuals interested in partnering with the LFHS Business Incubator program should contact us at businessincubator@lfschools.net. Students interested in enrolling in the Business Incubator should speak with their guidance counselor for more information. View our most recent BUSINESS INCUBATOR FLYER with updates from recently launched businesses.
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WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS SAY . . .
"I have been involved with the LFHS Business Incubator since launch. As coach of the pricing module, I leave the classroom inspired and energized!"
"If you want to get a charge of optimism about where our world is heading, spend some time with these kids. They are generous, smart, and fearless." "Seeing the students engage with the practical opportunity to make an impact in their community by finding a solution to a problem- and working to bring that solutions to fruition - inspires hope and a renewed energy toward making my own commitment and impact." Mentor & Volunteer OpportuntiesOur program is always looking for committed community members, engaging business leaders, and enthusiastic entrepreneurs to help guide and mentor our students through the process of developing and implementing their business plans.
Volunteers can serve in one of three ways:
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2021 PITCH NIGHT A BIG SUCCESS!
The 2020-21 school year was another exciting year of innovation in the Business Incubator program at Lake Forest High School. This year saw the formation of 11 student teams, guided and mentored by local business leaders. Each team stepped up to the challenge of creating the foundation for its new business while often working remotely, demonstrating their ability to adapt to the current context with extraordinary resiliency and commitment to their business.
The LFHS Foundation is proud to give them a platform to share their ideas with our community in the hopes of attracting investors and raising much needed start-up capital through donations.
In early March, all 11 teams presented minimum viable product (MVP) pitches for our judges. Each team was provided with feedback and funding for the MVP process. During the next phase of the process, 5 self-selected student teams will make their Academic Pitches, which will take place virtually on May 13 and May 14. At that time our panel of judges will determine which teams will move on to Pitch Night, the ultimate competition for recognition and financial awards. The teams moving on were announced on May 17 and participated in Pitch Night on May 20, 2021.
The LFHS Foundation is proud to give them a platform to share their ideas with our community in the hopes of attracting investors and raising much needed start-up capital through donations.
In early March, all 11 teams presented minimum viable product (MVP) pitches for our judges. Each team was provided with feedback and funding for the MVP process. During the next phase of the process, 5 self-selected student teams will make their Academic Pitches, which will take place virtually on May 13 and May 14. At that time our panel of judges will determine which teams will move on to Pitch Night, the ultimate competition for recognition and financial awards. The teams moving on were announced on May 17 and participated in Pitch Night on May 20, 2021.
