Mr. Glassman talks to high school CEL class about projects

What is venture incubator?

The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) Venture Incubator is an extracurricular opportunity open to students below 10th grade who are interested in developing a business venture. Individuals and teams submit their ideas for review and, if selected, are partnered with external mentors who help them navigate the various phases of taking an idea from rough concept to authentic outcome. Throughout the process, students are given the opportunity to pitch their business plans to seasoned investors and entrepreneurs.

What is venture accelerator?

Students in their junior and senior years are eligible to apply for CEL Venture Accelerator. This culminating experience gives students the chance to fully launch the ideas they have investigated, tested, and prototyped through 10th grade Capstone programs. Venture Accelerator students connect with various mentors and investors, hire staff, file for trademarks and legal business entities, sell in the marketplace, and raise initial startup capital.

Student ENTREPRENEUR Projects

H.E.L.P.I.N.G.

Over 500 backpacks donated since June 2021 | Over $30,000 in donations and in-kind product donations | First Place,
Global Youth Entrepreneurship Competition | Senate Accommodation

Alexa Rhodes
Owner | H.E.L.P.I.N.G. Backpacks

The Challenge: Address homeless people's lack of easy access to essentials for daily living and comfort.

The Solution: Representing the ideals of healing, empowering, loving, providing, influencing, nourishing, and giving (H.EL.P.I.N.G.), the Homeless Backpack is filled with essential items, including a waterproof blanket for warmth at night and keeping belongings dry in the rain, a basic set of toiletries, and clothes.

I wanted to solve problems homeless people face daily: having to carry all of their possessions with them, live outside in extreme temperatures, keep their personal belongings dry in the rain, and keep a minimal amount of necessities to live comfortably.

ALEXA '22

Bee Kind

student entrepreneur project business education

Cost Per Product: $4.00*

*All proceeds are donated to Operation Smile. Operation Smile, a non-profit organization, provides cleft lip and palate surgeries to children who cannot afford them. (One child's surgery costs $240.)

Nilah Jordan
Owner | Bee Kind

My name is Nilah Jordan. I am currently a senior at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. I run indoor and outdoor track. When I graduate, I am interested in majoring in chemistry in preparation for medical school.

What is your product? My product is an all-natural, organic lip balm. Currently, I have three different flavors of lip balm: lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus. Each is named according to the essential oil used when making them. Other ingredients include beeswax, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter. These lip balms are handmade and don’t contain any harmful chemicals that are drying or irritating to the lips.

Why were you inspired? When thinking about a problem to solve, I immediately thought about the lack of medical care in countries around the world. In America, we have access to well-known medical institutions that provide the best care possible. However, in many developing countries, this is not the case. I wanted to start a venture that created a social impact on the world.

Twisted Spirit

Cost Per Product: $15.00

Time Spent Working on Project: 3 years

Tiara Jenkins
Owner | Twisted Spirit

My name is Tiara. I am interested in majoring in business and minoring in early childhood education. I play volleyball and model in most of my free time.

What is your product? Twisted Spirit is an all-natural, curl-enhancing gel that not only perfects curly hair, but also encourages the consumer to embrace and show off who they really are.

Why were you inspired? My inspiration came from many areas, but the strongest motivation to pursue this was the way I looked at myself. I was not confident in who I was and how I looked so I knew that, instead of changing who I was, I had to accept myself and enhance. I just happened to start with my hair.

What did you learn? I learned the importance of failure. It showed me that not everyone will love what I’m doing as much as I do, but that doesn’t mean that I should stop. Instead, I should work harder to keep and please the supporters I do have. Failure also tests dedication and inflicts modesty in an entrepreneur.

Tuff Jewels

Cost Range Per Product: $10.00 - 20.00

Keith MacMahon
Owner | Tuff Jewels

I am Keith MacMahon and I'm in 11th grade. I am very interested in the stock market and would like to pursue that as well as continuing my jewelry business. I am very passionate about jewelry and gemstones, and have been collecting them ever since I was a young kid.

What is your product? I create geode agate pendants and crystal pendants that are stylish. I have pieces that stand out or just pieces that can be worn casually. All of my pendants come with gold-plated and silver-plated chains from 18 to 26 inches.

Why were you inspired? My inspiration was collecting gemstones and minerals as a little kid. I also wanted to create pendants out of beautiful stones and make them affordable for everyone.

What is CEL? Hear from Senior Entrepreneurs

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