What’s working: Our multi-phase showcase and live pitch finale created visibility and excitement. Judges appreciated the structure and student passion.

​

Potential Next Steps

​

• Host judges and business partners as classroom guests

• ​ Include additional workshops and opportunities for students that plan to participate in the pitch competition to develop increased business acumen and presentation abilities.

• Extend pitch event time to allow for additional questions and deliberation

• Include bio/introduction slides when introducing the Business Showcase so students know who they’re pitching to

What’s working: Students demonstrated creativity, courage, and drive—many worked beyond school hours to grow their ideas. Financial forecasting was included at the end of the semester.

 

Potential Next Steps​​

​

• Require a financials document to be provided to judges during the Startup Showcase - to share information while maintaining confidentiality

• Integrate lessons on opportunity cost, time management, and pricing strategy earlier in the semester​

What’s working: Consultants (students who advise) and entrepreneurs both valued the structure. Students enjoyed field trips, client work, and seeing their ideas take shape.

 

Potential Next Steps​

​​​

• Include networking opportunities to help students with communication skills and B2C connection building

• Increase student ownership with more formal governance, chairs, and event leaders

• Create rotating student roles: Creative Lead, Financial Analyst, Operations Manager, etc.

• Introduce weekly “build days” focused on practical business sprints (logo design, pricing, etc.)

• Use peer-led reflection sessions to encourage accountability and skill growth

What’s working: One district. Six high schools. Two Pre-K–8 pilots. And the potential to grow is significant.

 

Potential Next Steps​
 

To make participation easier for more schools and students, we are building modular Canvas lessons that educators in any content area or grade level can integrate into their class—whether they want to attend one field trip, support a pop-up shop, or run a full pitch unit.

 

Educators will be able to:

​

• Select field trips, modules, or lessons that align with their subject

• Register students for events without running a full program

• Co-create custom experiences with SMSD Student Chamber leadership to fit their goals

What’s working: With 6 field experiences and 12 months of student promotions, students saw the real-world impact of their work.

​

Opportunities to expand:

​

• Field trips to Overland Park based businesses to learn more about industries and jobs in the area and potential sales/idea opportunities

• Continue empowering high school students to lead activities with Pre-K–8 students

• Offer rotating districtwide pop-up events at partner locations

• Match student non-business owners with behind-the-scenes or marketing roles

What’s working: Through strategic connections with KC SourceLink and the Overland Park Chamber, student business owners gained firsthand insights and connections into Kansas City’s entrepreneurial network. Students also had the chance to attend Global Entrepreneurship Week, deepening their exposure to professional spaces available post-graduation.

​

Opportunities to expand:

​

• Establish structured, recurring collaborations with adult entrepreneurs and support organizations (e.g., roundtables, mentorship cohorts, co-hosted workshops)

• Design student-adult co-creation events where students help shape services that actually meet the needs of Gen Z founders

• Increase visibility of student-run businesses by integrating them into local pitch nights, marketplaces, and professional panels

• Launch a more broad KC student business network to grow both awareness and impact