FAQS                        

Short Answer:
Innovator Incubator is a dynamic program aiming to bridge the gap between traditional education and practical entrepreneurial skills.

Long Answer:
The Innovator Incubator program stands out with its focus on real-world business experience, offering a comprehensive curriculum that covers ideation, business plan development, legal and financial fundamentals, branding, and launch strategies.

The program, running in three-month cycles, blends classroom learning with practical assignments, ensuring a robust entrepreneurial mindset. It’s limited to 12-15 students per cycle, ensuring personalized attention and a supportive learning environment.

This initiative not only equips young individuals with vital business skills but also addresses broader community needs by fostering economic innovation and diversity. The Innovator Incubator confronts the disconnect between conventional education and modern business demands, empowering youth with confidence and knowledge to start their ventures. It contributes to community revitalization and economic resilience by nurturing self-reliance and problem-solving skills in the younger generation. The program’s unique profit-sharing model further incentivizes students, linking effort with reward and fostering a collaborative community approach.

Short Answer:
Filmore County teens between ages 15 and 18.

Long Answer:
These young minds stand at the threshold of adulthood, making them the perfect candidates to dive into the world of entrepreneurship.

This program isn’t just for any teenager; it’s for those who call Fillmore County home, ensuring a community-focused approach. These teens, through the intensive, have the unique opportunity to not only shape their futures but also to contribute to the local economic tapestry, weaving their youthful insights into the fabric of Fillmore County’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Short Answer:
3 months, including at least twice weekly meetings.

Long Answer:
The “Innovator Incubator” program, while an immensely rewarding experience, does require a commitment of time and dedication, not just from the participating teens but also from their supportive guardians. Over the duration of the 12-week program, participants are expected to attend two essential meetings each week. One of these is an instructor-led session that offers structured learning and guidance, while the other is a student-led meeting that fosters collaboration, discussion, and peer learning.

In addition to these meetings, as the program progresses towards its climax – the business launch – participants have the option to immerse themselves more deeply in their business ventures. This can involve dedicating up to 4 hours per day to the business, a time when they will be actively applying what they’ve learned, managing their operations, and engaging in real-world entrepreneurial activities.

Guardians also play a vital role in this journey. Their time commitment comes in the form of supporting their young entrepreneurs through the learning process, aiding in fundraising efforts, and providing guidance as these teens work, grow, and navigate the challenges and triumphs of running a business. This involvement not only enriches the experience for the participants but also creates an opportunity for bonding and shared learning within the family. The “Innovator Incubator” is more than just an educational program; it’s a family AND community engagement opportunity, nurturing the growth of both the business and the relationships that support it.

Use the contact us form and let us know you’re interested! We’ll forward you the application packet that includes sections for both the guardian(s) and the innovator in training.