Through HATCH, a year-long program, students are pushed out of their comfort zones to identify and solve problems by creating businesses. The Kauffman Foundation states, “Everyone has a fundamental right to turn an idea into an economic reality, regardless of who you are or where you’re from, with zero barriers in the way.” Hatch aims to reduce the barriers and ignite student’s imaginations about what is possible so they have the motivation to do more with their lives. On the campus of Westside High School students are immersed in the startup culture and community in a safe entrepreneurial ecosystem.

An ecosystem that:

• Connects students with established local entrepreneurs through guest speakers and mentorship.

• Guides future founders through lean startup principles with the ultimate goal of creating a revenue-generating business.

• Provides a co-working space where the collision of people, ideas and resources are fostered.

• Provides students access to the Warrior Enterprise Fund which helps reduce financial barriers to starting up.

This student-driven program requires students to set their long-term professional goals and own their learning by actively building a future beyond the walls of high school. This program encourages a culture of empathy, dreaming big, taking risks, learning from failure and reflection.

Within this program, real-life experiences are provided where students dive deeper into a problem while creating a scalable solution whether through a startup or with an existing business within the community.