IUPUI BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF STARTERS (BOSS) SUMMER ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAMP
Organization name: IUPUI
Program Type
Academic programs
Leadership skills & college/career prep programs
Ages Served:
12-18 Years
Overview
Brief Program Summary: Business Opportunities for Self Starters (BOSS) Entrepreneurship
Summer Camp is a 25-hour curriculum (one week) presented in Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS)
high schools to teach high school students about entrepreneurship, business start-up, and owning
a business as a career. During the week-long pilot program at the four IPS high schools in 2021
and 2022, students will draw from their own interests and business ideas to create individual
businesses. Up to 20 students may be enrolled at each high school. During the week-long camp
students will conduct business research and be inspired by local entrepreneurs and business
owners. At the end of the week, students will have learned about business types, funding, where
and how to locate a business, advertising and promotion, management and personnel,
manufacturing and many other important aspects of business ownership. Students will be
introduced to community leaders, IUPUI Kelley School of Business alumni and professors, and
various local small business owners and entrepreneurs. Students will create and practice elevator
speeches to promote their idea and give informal presentations to a group of judges for prize
money ranging from $50-$100 for a well considered plan. The overarching goals of this program
are to encourage students to begin developing an entrepreneur’s mind set and to offer insight into
the various functions of business and how they could form a company as a career option. Students
learn how to start a business and how to promote their business ideas using critical-thinking and
research skills that they will use to market themselves to future employers. This program is unique
because unlike other summer camps, students get paid for their work and gain work experience
such as team-building, verbal and written communication skills, and professionalism (all of which
are fundamental for the success of their future endeavors).
Success Metrics: Education: Out of school programming
Community and Economic Development: Business planning, Business startup, Career and
professional development, Entrepreneurship, Job skill development
Demographics
Number Served & Racial Distribution:
Total Number of Individuals Annually Served
25
Black or African Americans Annually Served
100%
Hispanic or Latinos Annually Served
0%
Geographic Scope:
− Central Indiana Counties: Marion
− Additional/Other Areas of Focus: Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS)
Resources
Annual Operating Cost: $30,000
Initial Start-Up Cost: $0
Contact Information
Organization Name: IUPUI
Website: https://www.iupui.edu/
Respondents Name: Karen Dace
Email: kdace@iupui.edu