Exploring Entrepreneurship

The program will be held in person

Have you got what it takes to create your dream? Want to learn more about how to participate in one of the fastest-growing parts of the economy?

Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business invites high school juniors and seniors to explore entrepreneurship at the Foundry, Fordham’s Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

During one focused week, you will work with talented, committed peers to develop a new business idea and pitch it to a panel of start-up experts and entrepreneurs. You will visit a startup incubator to experience what the startup environment is like. You might even discover how you can help change the world.

This comprehensive overview of the entrepreneurial process will expose you to crucial concepts in the world of startups:

  • Developing your business-model canvas.
  • Using design thinking to create your business.
  • Articulating the value proposition.
  • Creating your minimum viable product (MVP) or prototype.
  • Financing your startup: bootstrapping, angel investing, and venture capital.
  • Coordinating your team’s pitch for presentation.

A day in the life

  • Mornings (9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.): Ideation workshops, customer-discovery sessions, and discussions on defining your market will take place under the auspices of the Foundry’s entrepreneurs-in-residence or visiting professionals.
  • Mid-day (12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.): A roundtable discussion will dig into a core topic in entrepreneurship, such as team-building, creating marketing buzz, and how to “pivot.”
  • Afternoons (1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.): Small teams will work together to develop your idea and company. One of the afternoons will feature a visit to a startup incubator to meet with entrepreneurs and their mentors.

Program benefits

Participants in this entrepreneurship program will:

  • Get hands-on, personalized attention from the Foundry’s staff including its executive director and its entrepreneurs-in-residence.
  • Work with peers to plan a business in an intensive, fast-track format.
  • Test out the college environment and meet with current Fordham students.
  • Add working entrepreneurs to your network.
  • Have a unique experience that will build your college application.
  • Maybe even start a real business!

Who should attend

  • Rising high school juniors and seniors.

Program dates and hours

  • Monday, June 23-Friday, June 27 (both sessions are held during this week)

Tuition

  • $1,800 includes lunch and field trip transportation.

Location

  • Session I: Monday/Wednesday/Friday at the Rose Hill Campus (Bronx) & Tuesday/Thursday at the Lincoln Center Campus (Manhattan)
  • Session II: Monday/Wednesday/Friday at the Lincoln Center Campus (Manhattan) & Tuesday/Thursday at the Rose Hill Campus (Bronx)

Refund Policy

  • The program fee and deposit are fully refundable before May 1.
  • An 80% refund will be issued between May 1 and May 31.
  • The program fee is non-refundable beginning June 1.

Questions?