​​"FUTURE FOUNDERS PROJECT"
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​Highpoint Academy is excited to introduce our new "Highpoint Future Founders Project" for our 7th and 8th Grade students where they will learn how to become Entrepreneurs, or Future Founders of companies!

WHAT IS THIS PROJECT ABOUT?
The Highpoint "FUTURE FOUNDERS PROJECT" is a new initiative designed to introduce our 7th and 8th Grade students to "entrepreneurship" through practical, hands-on experiences. The emphasis will be on having students create a complete business concept or develop a new product, not simply inventing or selling a product.

PROJECT DATES:  

• ​Start date:  October 5, 2026
• End date: January 14, 2027

The project will run for eight weeks as follows:

• Week 1 (Oct 5 to 9): Introduction to entrepreneurship and Team formation by our Highpoint Middle School teachers.
• Week 2 (Oct 12 to 16: Identify a community problem or need
• Weeks 3 and 4 (Oct 19 to 30): Conduct surveys, interviews, and market research
• Week 4 (Nov. 2 to 13): Develop the business or product concept and customer profile
• Week 5 (Nov 16 to 20): Create the business plan, budget, and pricing
• Week 6 (Nov. 30 to Dec. 4): Design the name, logo, slogan, and marketing materials
• Week 7 (Dec. 7 to 11): Create the prototype and practice the pitch
• Week 8 (Jan 4 to 8):  Practice, review, and finalize Showcase Presentation details
• Thursday, January 14, 2027:  "FUTURE FOUNDERS SHOWCASE PRESENTATION" with Judging.
  Event will be open to Middle School Parents and students only.

GOALS:

• Recognize problems as possible business or product opportunities
• Think creatively and develop practical solutions
• Understand the difference between a product and a business
• Conduct basic market research
• Identify potential customers
• Develop a business name, purpose, and brand
• Create a basic business and financial plan
• Calculate expenses, prices, and potential profit
• Promote their business
• Work collaboratively
• Communicate professionally
• Prepare and deliver a persuasive business presentation
• Accept feedback and improve their ideas
• Understand that unsuccessful attempts are part of entrepreneurship

TEAMS: 

• Students in grades 6–8 will work in teams of FOUR.
• Teams will be guided by all three Middle School Teachers who will be collaborating with them. 
• Teams may include students from the three different grade levels.
• Each Team will search for a business or product that can help others and fully develop their concept and plan as a group, not individually.
• The majority of the work will be done in school, not at home.  

MAIN CHALLENGE.  The business or product should be:

• Useful
• Realistic
• Creative
• Helpful to others
• Age-appropriate
• Community-minded
• Financially sustainable
• Capable of being explained and presented clearly

IDEAS FOR BUSINESS or PRODUCT CATEGORIES.  Students could develop businesses or products related to:

• Education
• Health and wellness
• Childcare or family assistance
• Senior citizen services
• Pet care
• Environmental protection
• Recycling or reducing waste
• Technology assistance
• Community beautification
• Event planning
• Sports or recreation
• Arts and entertainment
• Food services
• Neighborhood safety
• Transportation assistance
• Services for people with disabilities
• Support for local charities or community organizations

PROJECT STAGES.  Teachers create the Teams of four 6th, 7th and 8th graders, with student input.

1.  Teams select their business or product.  They meet and ask each other:

• How will this be helpful to others?
• Does this business or product already exist?
• What problem have we noticed?
• Who experiences this problem?
• Why does it matter?
• Are people currently paying for another solution?
• Could a business or product realistically help?
• Will this business or product be financially beneficial to us?
  
  

2. Teams research and identify the need for their business or product.  Teams conduct simple market research through:

• Surveys
• Interviews
• Observation
• Online research
• Conversations with potential customers
• Discussions with local business owners or community leaders
• Students should gather evidence that the problem actually exists and that people would be interested in their solution.

3. Teams develop the Business Solution.  Teams decide:

• What service or solution will the business or product provide?
• Who are the customers?
• How will the business help them?
• What makes the idea different?
• Why would someone choose this business?
• How will the business make money?
• How will it benefit the community?
  
  

4. Teams create the Brand. They develop these areas:

• Business name
• Logo
• Slogan
• Mission Statement
• Brand colors
• Description of the business or product
• Promotional flyer or digital advertisement
• Social-media mock-up
  
  

5. Teams prepare a Simple Business Plan.  The plan should include:

1. The problem or need
2. The proposed solution
3. Target customers
4. Services or products offered
5. Competitive advantage
6. Startup expenses
7. Price charged
8. Expected sales
9. Estimated profit
10. Marketing strategy
11. Community benefit
12. Plans for future growth
    
    

6. Teams build a Prototype or Demonstration.  Depending on the business or product, teams could prepare:

• A sample product
• A model
• A website mock-up
• A short demonstration
• A service menu
• A promotional video
• A customer registration form
• An app concept
• Before-and-after visuals
• A sample customer experience

The prototype demonstrates how the business would work; it does not need to include a fully operational company or product.
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7. Teams prepare the Final Pitch. Teams create a professional presentation similar to a youth-friendly Shark Tank pitch.The presentation should explain:

• The problem
• The proposed business
• The target customer
• How the business operates
• Why people would use it
• How it would generate income
• The estimated expenses and profit
• How it helps the community
• Why the judges should support it

Students should be prepared to answer questions from the panel of Judges.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT.  
Students will work on the project mainly at school and minimally at home, with very limited parent assistance. 
​Parents may:

• Help students remain organized
• Provide transportation for approved research
• Help locate appropriate resources
• Encourage students to meet deadlines
• Listen while students practice their presentations

Parents should NOT:

• Develop the business concept
• Create the presentation
• Write the business plan
• Design the logo or promotional materials
• Complete the financial calculations
• Build the project for the students

The finished work should reflect the students’ own thinking, creativity, and effort.

FINAL EVENT:
​"FUTURE FOUNDERS SHOWCASE". Every Team displays and presents its business or product to the their Parents, other students, and the PANEL OF JUDGES. Set up includes:

• Business exhibit tables
• Posters or presentation boards
• Promotional materials
• Prototypes or demonstrations
• Student-created commercials
• Live business pitches
• Questions from judges
• Parent and community attendance
• Certificates and awards

FIVE Judges will be appointed. Judges will serve to provide constructive feedback and encouragement, not simply select winners. The judging panel could include:  

• Local business owners
• Highpoint Alumni who are entrepreneurs
• Parents with business experience
• Bank or financial professionals
• Community leaders
• School administrators
• Marketing professionals
• Members of local chambers or business organizations.
  
  

TEAM AWARDS will be given. Judging Categories include the following:

• Best Overall Business Concept
• Best Overall Product
• Most Creative Business
• Best Community Impact
• Best Business Plan
• Best Marketing and Branding
• Best Financial Plan
• Best Presentation
• Best Teamwork
• Most Innovative Solution
• People’s Choice Award

STUDENTS WILL EARN GRADES IN AT LEAST TWO SUBJECTS at Teacher's sole-discretion.