As we develop The School of Entrepreneuring, we’re trying to see what works so we can learn from them.

The bad news is that most of it is well-intentioned but hot garbage.

The entrepreneurship taught in most middle and high schools is akin to teaching someone how to ride a bike via lecture.

It’s theoretical, performative and hence ineffective

Common Formula

The programs I’ve studied/seen generally follow the same formula:

• Do some market research
• Create a business plan (often focused on solving big societal problems)
• End with a faux-Shark Tank presentation Note: I’ve found a couple of good ones too but they are very uncommon

Missing the Mark

What’s missing?

There’s no emphasis on:

• Actually building something
• Then going out and marketing & selling it
• Getting real market feedback
• Making that all-important first $1

These programs prioritize creating impressive-sounding but ultimately superficial projects for college applications over genuine entrepreneuring.

This may be what students and parents actually want, but it’s a waste of time and talent and a missed opportunity.

Seeking the Real Deal

Are there any good programs, either in school or as an afterschool program, that focus on:

• Real business creation
• Gathering real market feedback
• Encouraging actual marketing & sales and revenue generation If you’ve seen anything that truly prepares students for real-world entrepreneuring, let me know! Here is why I’m interested in meeting people / programs that are teaching entrepreneuring right

If you’ve seen anything that truly prepares students for real-world entrepreneuring, let me know!