It started with a question: What if we gave students the tools to turn their ideas into reality? That question sparked the creation of the Student Entrepreneurs Academy, a Gilbert Chamber Foundation initiative designed to empower young minds with the confidence, creativity, and skills to lead.
Why We Do This
Our goals are transformative:
- Inspire entrepreneurial thinking early.
- Equip students with practical tools for problem-solving and innovation.
- Foster Community Connections through mentorship and collaboration where students learn the value of networking and civic engagement.
Because entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting businesses, it’s about learning to see challenges as opportunities and ideas as solutions.
Meet the Dreamers and Doers
This year’s cohort is a remarkable group of students who represent the future of innovation in Gilbert:
- Clark Ludlum, 7th grade, San Tan Junior High
- Eli Traubenberg, 7th grade, Highland Junior High
- Isabel Meixner, 8th grade, Meixner Academy
- James Howell, 7th grade, Highland Junior High
- Vann Keough, 10th grade, Arizona College Prep
Each of these students brings a unique perspective - whether it’s a passion for technology, a love for creative problem-solving, or a vision for making their community better. Together, they’re learning how to pitch ideas, collaborate, and think like entrepreneurs.
What They’re Learning
The Academy is structured into four phases that mirror the entrepreneurial journey:
- Spark and Strategy: Students dive into design thinking, problem-solving, and transforming ideas into models.
- Building the Business: They learn about customers, branding, product development, and business finance.
- Marketing and Operations: From marketing basics to sales, communication, and operational planning, students gain practical know-how.
- Pitch and Launch: The program culminates in pitching, a soft launch, and a showcase where students present their ventures to the community.
Along the way, they experience field trips, mentorship, and hands-on activities that make learning dynamic and real.
The Bigger Picture
In a world that’s changing faster than ever, entrepreneurial skills are essential. By investing in these students, we’re not just shaping their futures - we’re building a stronger, more innovative Gilbert.
Stay tuned for updates as these students turn challenges into opportunities and ideas into impact!