About...
The INCubatoredu program offers students an authentic entrepreneurship experience. In this program, students have the opportunity to create and fully develop their own product or service.
Real entrepreneurs and business experts serve as volunteer coaches and mentors guiding student teams through the Lean Startup processes of developing hypotheses about a business concept, testing those hypotheses, adapting, and further iteration. The program also includes foundational business topics such as marketing and finance.
Get to Know INC...
Meet INCubatoredu@nfdl – Local Educator Brings Entrepreneurial Spirit to Classroom | WiLLcast Ep. 34
Kurt Wismer, the business teacher at Horace Mann High School in North Fond du Lac, joined Adam at our WiLLcast studio to discuss INCubatoredu@nfdl, an entrepreneurship experience for high school students that helps them through the process of developing their own real-world services and products. In this episode, Kurt and Adam discuss breaking the "traditional" classroom mold, developing different skill sets, working well in teams, and more.
To learn more about INCubatoredu@nfdl, visit www.incubatornfdl.com.
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INCubatoredu’s key points of distinction include:
Blend of Lean Startup process with foundational business topics
Authentic, real-world learning
Hands-on problem solving
Team teaching with classroom teacher, coaches, and mentors
Ongoing professional development for classroom teachers and volunteers
Learn by Doing
Over the course of the two semesters, students work in teams and learn by doing. They develop a business model canvas, gain market input on a minimum viable product, and iterate all elements to improve their business plan.
Students are taught by a team: volunteer coaches, mentors, and the classroom teacher. Coaches provide authentic business expertise in a specific area. They come into the classroom for a short period of time (2-4 days) to provide all students with a real-world context for a specific curricular area. The coach and classroom teacher plan and present together. The coach’s focus is on curricular content, not war stories. Mentors are assigned to one team and follow them through the entire process providing students with feedback and encouragement. The classroom teacher is a certified teacher that manages the class and volunteers as well as provides continuity.
A charitable group, such as an educational foundation, may consider providing small grants (<$100/team) to the students so that business concepts may be introduced at the “Minimum Viable Product” stage (midyear) and students may gain in-market experience. The program culminates with a “Pitch” to investors. Student teams pitch their ideas to actual investors for funding to turn their business plans into reality during the summer and following school year.
