BUSINESS INCUBATOR

BI Volunteer form

Pitch Night Partner Form

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 [email protected].

Students interested in enrolling in the Business Incubator should speak with their guidance counselor for more information.

View our most recent Business Incubator one-sheet. business_incubator_one_sheet_fall_2023.pdf

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 Opportunties

Our 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:

Coach – Serving as a coach is a one-time, three-to-four day presentation on a specific business topic, such as marketing, social media, finance, law, or technology. A coach is an industry professional who will partner with the classroom teacher for the 3-4 days to offer instruction. Lesson plans are provided but coaches are encouraged to share their own expertise.
Mentor – A mentor stays with their student team throughout the year. Our program is fortunate to have many experienced mentors who have volunteered for several years. It is the most thrilling experience for our volunteers. Mentors guide their student teams to help develop the business. Mentors meet with their team during the school day at least two times each month (generally on a Wednesday or Thursday during the block schedule class period). Mentors are expected to commit to a weekly check-in meeting (in person or remotely if necessary) with their team throughout the school year.
Mentor “Sub” – A volunteer who is unable to commit to a consistent weekly time commitment with a team, but would like to work within the classroom as a fill-in mentor. The Mentor “Sub” would meet with teams in the classroom during class time when individual mentors are unable to attend classes due to conflicts. They could also be called upon to work with a team who may need additional mentoring in areas that the volunteer specializes in. This is an as-needed basis position.
All mentors and coaches must go through a background check provided by LFHS.

Interested in volunteering? Click the link or button below to complete an online application. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Online Application