Entrepreneurship education is evolving, and INCubatoredu, supported by the Lemont Education Enrichment Foundation (LEEF), is giving high school students the opportunity to build real businesses before they graduate. Through this hands-on entrepreneurship program, students develop startup ideas, work with experienced business mentors, and learn how to launch and manage real companies. By combining classroom learning with real-world experience, INCubatoredu helps students gain the confidence, leadership skills, and professional knowledge they need to succeed in college, careers, and future entrepreneurial ventures.
Unlike traditional business classes that focus primarily on theory, INCubatoredu immerses students in the full process of entrepreneurship. Students develop ideas, test business models, build prototypes, and pitch their concepts to experienced professionals.
This hands-on approach allows students to experience the realities of entrepreneurship while still in high school. Instead of simply learning about business, they practice it in real time.
Students often gain insights and skills that many college students do not encounter until their sophomore or junior year.
A defining feature of INCubatoredu is that students build real companies from the ground up. Working in teams, they identify opportunities, create products or services, and bring them to market.
Some student teams have launched ventures such as custom tailgating tables representing schools or teams, while others have developed technology-driven solutions designed to address real-world challenges. These experiences teach students how to adapt, pivot, and refine their ideas—just like real entrepreneurs.
By the end of the program, students understand how to move from concept to functioning business.
Mentorship is a central component of the INCubatoredu experience. Students work directly with experienced professionals from a variety of industries, including:
These mentors help guide student teams through challenges while modeling professional communication and decision-making. Students learn how to present ideas, conduct meetings, and collaborate with experienced professionals.
The relationships built through mentorship often become some of the most valuable connections students gain from the program.
Through INCubatoredu, students gain practical experience with the real mechanics of running a company. This includes:
Students also develop confidence by presenting their ideas to experienced business leaders and engaging in professional environments that push them beyond their comfort zones.
These experiences build both entrepreneurial skills and essential life skills.
Beyond technical business knowledge, INCubatoredu helps students grow as leaders. By taking ownership of real projects and navigating challenges together, students learn resilience, communication, and problem-solving.
Many participants describe the program as transformative because it shows them that opportunities still exist—even in industries that feel saturated or highly competitive.
The experience empowers students to define their own path and realize they can create something meaningful.
Programs like INCubatoredu often rely on support from community organizations, education foundations, and local leaders who believe in preparing students for the future.
These partnerships help provide resources for prototypes, mentorship opportunities, and real-world business experiences that expand what students can achieve while still in high school.
When communities invest in entrepreneurship education, they help develop the next generation of innovators and leaders.
For many students, INCubatoredu becomes one of the most influential experiences of their high school years. By combining mentorship, real-world business creation, and leadership development, the program equips students with skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
Students leave with confidence, professional connections, and a deeper understanding of how ideas become reality—preparing them to pursue entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership long after graduation.