Launch!
“I’m not blowing smoke… I loved every minute of this thing and think it was deployed so well.”
– Seth Heinert, Ogallala High School
Empower your students to launch their own company.
What is Launch?
Launch! is a year-long program that takes high school students and teachers through the entrepreneurial process from no idea or plans to the creation of a valuable, sustainable business that solves a real-world problem for real-world customers.
Launch! began in Spring 2018 as a partnership between Engler, the Nebraska FFA Organization and the Nebraska FFA Foundation. It is now used in over 15 schools from Omaha to Ravenna to bring dynamic, relevant entrepreneurship education to the classroom.
Nothing about Engler follows today’s typical education model, and Launch! is no different. We don’t teach to the test, give out answers or expect rote memorization of theories and principles. Engler learning requires getting your hands dirty. It means trying and failing—failing spectacularly and repeatedly—but always pushing forward.
2024-2025 Launch! Applications are now open.
2024 Launch! Program Details and Timeline
Participating programs will receive in-person training focused on planning, launching, and running School-Based Enterprises within their school environment. This program does not guarantee funding but does provide the opportunity to compete for funding in a pitch competition. This funding is used to assist in launching and running the School-Based Enterprise. Participating programs will send a teacher and team of 4-6 students to the in-person training to make plans and execute the business. The teacher will select specific students who will serve as leaders of the School-Based Enterprise and participate in the Launch! Program events.
Training topics include:
- Business ideation
- Testing and validating businesses
- Business model planning
- Business financials
- Creating a student management team
- Building a business advisor team
- Learning to pitch a business
- Business planning and turnover
- How to navigate a school board
Program Overview:
This training occurs at five training sessions held across the state and seven monthly Zoom calls with a Engler mentor.
- Teacher Kick-Off Call
Virtual (Zoom)
July 30th 7:00pm CST (estimated 30 minutes)
On this webinar call, accepted teachers will learn the expectations of Launch, how to set up your student team, best-practices for the program and to make sure you are fully prepared for the Launch Program.
- Kickoff Event
In-Person, Lincoln, Nebraska (Engler Space)
Wednesday, August 28th – 9am – 3pm
Please note: it is required to stay the duration of the time
This event is the jumpstart to the program. Accepted teams will learn the basics of launching a School-Based Enterprise, explore business models, identify community needs, test business ideas, and walk away with an action plan to begin implementing.
- Quick Pitch Competition
Virtual (Zoom)
October, TBA
Students from participating teams will compete for seed-grant funding in a quick-pitch style competition. Students will be given five minutes to pitch the business model and implementation plans for their School-Based Enterprise to a panel of business and entrepreneurship judges. Teams will then gather to share best practices and further training.
- Winter Booster
In-Person, Lincoln, Nebraska (Engler Space)
December, TBA
At this short event Agriculture Programs will share progress, problem solve, and make plans for the remainder of the year. Students and teachers will also consider and craft transition plans for a new group of students to lead the enterprises.
- Wrap Up
Virtual, Zoom
Late Feb/ Early March TBD
At this final event, Programs will provide updates and reflect on the progress of their enterprise this past year. Programs will also learn the foundations of constructing a business pitch, and prepare for the Final Pitch Competition held at the State FFA Convention.
- Final Pitch Presentation
In-Person, Lincoln, Nebraska
April, During the 2024 NE FFA Convention, TBA
Student teams will give a final pitch presentation to other FFA members to help encourage them to consider starting a School-Based Enterprise or other entrepreneurship-based SAEs during a convention workshop. Competitive awards will be provided to recognize participating students and programs in the Launch! Program
Application and Eligibility
Eligibility:
- Nebraska Educator.
- Must have the ability to participate in the in-person sessions in Lincoln, NE. Both Students and Teachers.
- Must have permission from administration to apply and participate.
- Have not participated in a Launch! Cohort in the last three years.
Application is due July 8th, 2024. Applicants will be notified in July.
“Launch provided our team with the framework and tools to build a successful school-based business. Brennan was an excellent facilitator who provided information but let the team make their own decisions, experience their own successes and work through their failures.”
– Ann Dvorak, Rock County High School
Successful Launch! Businesses
Launch teaches students and teacher teams to create a school-based enterprise, which means students learn how to start a business while under the umbrella of their high school—its supervision, finances and so on. Engler staff members guide teachers each step of the way, from fostering the entrepreneurial mindset to navigating communication with school administration.
To participate in Launch, Career and Technical Student Organizations must apply and be accepted to the program. Once accepted, the year-long program has four or five in-person meetings, two pitch competitions and a series of video coaching calls.
Launch is not a mere checklist item for a teacher’s to-do list, nor is it a mindless assignment for students. Like a true partnership, a teacher and his or her students must work together on a team to build their own business.
In one year, Launch takes high school students and their teachers from a blank sheet to launching a business, which should grow and become sustainable throughout the year. During that time, the students get as close as possible to a real-world experience of what it’s like to actually start a business.
At the conclusion of the program, students pitch their business and what they’ve learned to judges at a statewide convention and compete with other schools. Funding may be available to seed businesses both at the beginning and the end of Launch.
Launch teaches students and teacher teams to create a school-based enterprise, which means students learn how to start a business while under the umbrella of their high school—its supervision, finances and so on. Engler staff members guide teachers each step of the way, from fostering the entrepreneurial mindset to navigating communication with school administration.
To participate in Launch, Career and Technical Student Organizations must apply and be accepted to the program. Once accepted, the year-long program has four or five in-person meetings, two pitch competitions and a series of video coaching calls.
Launch is not a mere checklist item for a teacher’s to-do list, nor is it a mindless assignment for students. Like a true partnership, a teacher and his or her students must work together on a team to build their own business.
In one year, Launch takes high school students and their teachers from a blank sheet to launching a business, which should grow and become sustainable throughout the year. During that time, the students get as close as possible to a real-world experience of what it’s like to actually start a business.
At the conclusion of the program, students pitch their business and what they’ve learned to judges at a statewide convention and compete with other schools. Funding may be available to seed businesses both at the beginning and the end of Launch.
Who can participate?
Launch is available to all middle and high-schools. We specialize connections with Career and Technical Student Organizations (such as FFA, DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, etc.), but it’s not required.
If you are a teacher or student interested in bringing Launch to your high school, contact Engler Director Tom Field or call (402) 472-5643.
“Launch was valuable to us because it provided a curriculum that students could use to actually plan out their business. It kept them accountable all year for progress and helped them set goals for their business. ”
– Melissa Bonifas, Blue Hill High School
Engler Entrepreneurship Program
LOCATION
DINSDALE LEARNING COMMONS
EAST CAMPUS
1625 N 38TH ST
Lincoln, NE 68583
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