C O U R S E   D E S C R I P T I O N

Throughout this hands-on course, students ideate, develop, and iterate their own product or service startup. Real entrepreneurs and business experts often serve as volunteer coaches and speakers, guiding student teams through the processes of developing & testing a business concept, adapting, and continually learning and improving. The businesses students build are encouraged to be REAL, which means students experience mistakes, take risks, and learn to pivot based on market needs. They also learn to work with our student-run businesses, Orange Apparel Co + Fort Orange, to see the ins and outs of running a small business, as well as the opportunity to make custom merch for their company. 

Students leave the course with a completed Business Model Canvas, competitive analysis, financial model, minimum viable product, pitch deck, future communications plan, and future funding plan. When possible, students give a final “pitch” to a group of potential investors.

We utilize guest presenters and mentors from our Olentangy business community. Check out a recent blog post recap!

Click HERE if you or someone you know is interested in talking with our students about all things entrepreneurship or if you have a specific area of business you’re passionate about. We hope to include LOTS of experts into this class & we appreciate your time and wisdom!

This course was NEW to OOHS for the 2020-21 school year. It was a challenging year {Covid-19 + hybrid} to start this journey, but we were very excited about the course. Here is a look back at that first year…

Guest Presenter Joe DeLoss; Hot Chicken Takeover

The entrepreneurship course replaced the formerly (similar) class titled “Applied Economics” that was offered prior to the 2020 school year…  

Applied Economics continued the same learning targets & experience as Business Foundations.  This course went deeper, applied previous knowledge gained, consisted of various hands-on projects and teamwork tasks.  Major topics included Business Operations & the Free Enterprise System. Students were to create their own business OR assist with the growth and production of our OOHS venture, Orange Apparel Co, design products to sell, participate in school/community projects and deliver public speaking presentations.