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Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy 2023: 9-11 graders...Apply before February 10th!

Published on: Tuesday January 24th, 2023

In partnership with Appalachian State UniversityEntreEd, and STEM West, ARC’s Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) prepares the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders and thinkers. Chosen via a competitive application process, 26 high school students from across the Appalachian Region participate in experiential learning designed to cultivate creativity and develop essential entrepreneurial skills. While learning, students concurrently develop and implement their own business ideas, refine and prototype those ideas, and eventually deliver a shark-tank-style pitch presentation for an audience of entrepreneurs.

AEA students will spend two weeks, at no cost, residing on Appalachian State University’s campus and immersing themselves in the surrounding town of Boone, North Carolina. This unique location provides students with opportunities to celebrate local culture and diversity, and develop ideas to maintain and sustain these critical aspects of Appalachian communities. In addition to the work of developing their businesses, students will engage in recreational activities throughout the experience, including activities on-campus (including swimming, gaming, and playing sports) and in the region (including hiking, visiting local attractions, and attending arts and music performances).

Apply HERE before February 10th!