Future Founders

Future Founders is a dynamic club for creative, curious kids who dream big and love to bring ideas to life! In this hands-on program, young entrepreneurs will explore the exciting world of business and innovation—learning how to brainstorm, plan, create, and pitch their very own products or services. Along the way, they’ll build key skills in problem-solving, collaboration, communication, and leadership. From designing logos to crafting elevator pitches, each session helps turn imagination into action. Whether they’re budding inventors, artists, or future CEOs, Future Founders empowers kids to think like entrepreneurs and believe in the power of their ideas.

See the Future Founders Packing List here.
A suggested 15-week term plan is as follows:

In this program, it will be up to the Instructor(s) to gauge the interests of the group and decide how best to structure the overall term. Note that depending on the age and attention span of your students, you may want to stretch a lesson across several weeks or combine lessons into one week to keep things exciting.

Week 1 – Welcome to Entrepreneurship

Objective: Introduce entrepreneurship, build excitement, and create group identity.
Materials: Large paper, markers, sticky notes.

Steps:

  1. Icebreaker (10 min): “If I could invent anything…” Students share a fun imaginary invention.
  2. Discussion (10 min): What is an entrepreneur? List answers on paper.
  3. Story Spotlight (10 min): Share a kid-friendly entrepreneur story (e.g., creators of LEGO, or local small business).
  4. Activity (20 min): “Idea Storm Wall.” Kids write one thing they’d like to invent, sell, or create on sticky notes and post on large paper.
  5. Wrap-up (10 min): Summarize traits of entrepreneurs (creative, problem-solver, risk-taker, helper).

Instructor Notes: Keep energy high, focus on fun, and emphasize that no idea is too small or silly.

Week 2 – Ideas Everywhere!

Objective: Learn to spot problems and opportunities.
Materials: Clipboards/paper, pencils, sticky notes.

Steps:

  1. Warm-up (5 min): Share one cool product kids love and why.
  2. Mini-lesson (10 min): Explain that entrepreneurs solve problems people have.
  3. Activity (20 min): “Problem Hunt.” Small groups explore the classroom/school to list problems (e.g., messy lockers, broken pencils).
  4. Group Share (15 min): Each group shares one problem and brainstorms possible solutions.
  5. Wrap-up (10 min): Reflection: “What problem do you notice at home that could be solved?”

Instructor Notes: Encourage wild ideas. Reinforce that “problems = opportunities.”

Week 3 – From Idea to Concept

Objective: Choose and shape a business idea.
Materials: Paper, , markers/coloured pencils, ideas and concepts from week 1 & 2. Customer Profile Worksheets.

Steps:

  1. Warm-up (5 min): Quick review: What is a problem you want to solve?
  2. Mini-lesson (10 min): Introduce the “Who, What, Why” framework:
    • Who is your customer?
    • What is your product/service?
    • Why will they want it?
  3. Activity (25 min): Students pick one idea from last week and fill in worksheet.
  4. Pair Share (10 min): Share ideas with a partner, get feedback.
  5. Wrap-up (10 min): Ask: “What’s exciting about your idea?”

Instructor Notes: Help kids narrow focus — remind them that simple ideas are powerful too.

Week 4 – Branding Basics

Objective: Understand branding and create a name + logo.
Materials: Blank paper, markers/coloured pencils, examples of logos.

Steps:

  1. Discussion (10 min): Show famous logos (Nike, Apple, LEGO). What do they make you think/feel?
  2. Mini-lesson (10 min): Branding = name + logo + feeling.
  3. Activity (25 min): Students brainstorm names, sketch 2–3 logo ideas.
  4. Gallery Walk (10 min): Post logos around room, students leave sticky notes with “I like…” comments.
  5. Wrap-up (5 min): Encourage them to refine their favourite logo at home.

Instructor Notes: Emphasize creativity and uniqueness, not art skill.

Week 5 – Prototyping: Bringing Ideas to Life

Objective: Build a first version of the product/service.
Materials: Craft supplies (paper, tape, cardboard, clay, [recyclables if desired – instructor supplied]).

Steps:

  1. Warm-up (5 min): What does “prototype” mean? (first draft model).
  2. Mini-lesson (5 min): Show examples of prototypes (drawings, Lego models, mock-ups).
  3. Activity (30 min): Students build a simple prototype of their idea (product: model; service: storyboard or role-play).
  4. Share (15 min): Show prototypes to small groups.
  5. Wrap-up (5 min): Ask: “What’s one change you’d like to make next time?”

Instructor Notes: Celebrate rough drafts — prototypes are meant to evolve.

Week 6 – Storytelling for Entrepreneurs

Objective: Practice short, clear pitches.
Materials: Timer, paper, markers/coloured pencils, idea materials from previous weeks.

Steps:

  1. Mini-lesson (10 min): What’s an “elevator pitch”? (short, clear explanation).
  2. Activity (20 min): Students practice 30-second pitch: “My business is ___. It helps ___. You’ll love it because ___.”
  3. Partner Work (15 min): Pairs take turns pitching; partners give one compliment + one suggestion.
  4. Whole Group (10 min): Volunteers share.
  5. Wrap-up (5 min): Encourage practicing at home with family.

Instructor Notes: Coach for clarity and confidence, not polish.

Week 7 – Knowing Your Customer

Objective: Learn about customers and empathy.
Materials: Customer profile worksheet (age, likes, needs).

Steps:

  1. Discussion (10 min): Who buys dog toys? Who buys video games? (not always kids).
  2. Activity (20 min): Students create a “customer profile” for their business.
  3. Interviews (15 min): Pair up and “test” idea with each other as customers.
  4. Group Share (10 min): What did you learn? Did your idea change?
  5. Wrap-up (5 min): Homework: Ask one family member what they’d think of your idea.

Instructor Notes: Guide kids to think about real people with needs.

Week 8 – Money Matters

Objective: Learn basics of cost, price, and profit.
Materials: Fake money, sample budget sheet.

Steps:

  1. Mini-lesson (10 min): Cost = what it takes to make. Price = what you sell it for. Profit = what’s left.
  2. Game (20 min): Lemonade stand simulation (teams buy cups, lemons, sugar, then set a price and see if they make a “profit”).
  3. Application (20 min): Students estimate cost and price for their own product/service.
  4. Wrap-up (10 min): Reflection: “Would you buy your product for that price?”

Instructor Notes: Keep numbers simple — round dollars, not cents.

Week 9 – Marketing & Advertising

Objective: Learn how to promote ideas.
Materials: Poster paper, markers, optional digital tools.

Steps:

  1. Discussion (10 min): How do you hear about new products? (ads, friends, online).
  2. Mini-lesson (10 min): Slogan + visual = strong ad.
  3. Activity (25 min): Design poster/ad/social media post for their business.
  4. Gallery Walk (10 min): Share and give feedback.
  5. Wrap-up (5 min): Highlight creativity and persuasion.

Instructor Notes: Encourage bold, simple messages.

Week 10 – Collaboration & Teamwork

Objective: Practice working together.
Materials: Building challenge supplies (e.g., straws, tape, paper).

Steps:

  1. Mini-lesson (5 min): Good teams listen, share, compromise.
  2. Challenge (25 min): Build the tallest free-standing tower using given materials.
  3. Debrief (15 min): What worked? What was hard? How does this relate to business?
  4. Application (10 min): Students note how teamwork could help their own idea.
  5. Wrap-up (5 min): Quick gratitude round: thank a teammate.

Instructor Notes: Keep debrief focused on collaboration skills.

Week 11 – Problem-Solving in Action

Objective: Learn resilience through challenges.
Materials: Scenario ideas.

Steps:

  1. Discussion (5 min): What happens when things go wrong in business?
  2. Activity (25 min): Groups get a challenge card (e.g., “Your supplier ran out of materials” / “A customer complained”) and brainstorm solutions.
  3. Role-play (15 min): Share solutions with group.
  4. Debrief (10 min): What did we learn about problem-solving?
  5. Wrap-up (5 min): Highlight creativity under pressure.

Instructor Notes: Encourage flexible thinking and not giving up.

Week 12 – Social Entrepreneurship

Objective: Connect business ideas to helping others.
Materials: Stories/examples of social businesses (e.g., TOMS shoes).

Steps:

  1. Mini-lesson (10 min): What is a social entrepreneur? Businesses that help people/planet.
  2. Activity (25 min): Students brainstorm how their idea could give back (e.g., eco-friendly packaging, donating a portion).
  3. Share (15 min): Present “giving back” ideas in small groups.
  4. Wrap-up (10 min): Reflect: “How could your business make the world better?”

Instructor Notes: Encourage small, realistic ways to help.

Week 13 – Pitch Preparation

Objective: Organize and rehearse full pitch.
Materials: Pitch outline template.

Steps:

  1. Mini-lesson (5 min): Review what makes a great pitch (clear, confident, short).
  2. Activity (30 min): Students complete outline: name, logo, customer, prototype, price, marketing, social impact.
  3. Practice (15 min): Rehearse in pairs.
  4. Wrap-up (10 min): Encourage practicing at home.

Instructor Notes: Support with prompts for kids who struggle.

Week 14 – Pitch Practice

Objective: Rehearse and refine presentations.
Materials: Timer, feedback forms.

Steps:

  1. Warm-up (5 min): Quick voice and posture exercise.
  2. Activity (35 min): Students present to small groups; peers give feedback (1 thing you liked, 1 suggestion).
  3. Whole Group (15 min): Volunteers present to everyone.
  4. Wrap-up (5 min): Encourage final practice before showcase.

Instructor Notes: Focus feedback on clarity and confidence, not perfection.

Week 15 – Future Founders Pitch Day!

Objective: Celebrate and present ideas.
Materials: Certificates, invite audience (parents/teachers if possible).

Steps:

  1. Setup (before class): Arrange space for presentations.
  2. Activity (40 min): Each student/group presents their pitch (2–3 minutes each).
  3. Celebration (15 min): Applause, certificates, group photo.
  4. Wrap-up (5 min): Encourage students to keep dreaming and building ideas.

Instructor Notes: Keep energy positive and celebratory.

Future Founders Packing List

Note that a variety of materials will be packed for this program. Depending on the interests of the participants, additional items may be requested by emailing Liz at any time. Please give at least 1 week notice when requesting supplies.

Stationery & Basics
  • Chart paper, large paper or flip chart pads
  • Markers (broad and fine tip, assorted colours)
  • Coloured pencils / crayons
  • Pencils & erasers
  • Pens
  • Rulers
  • Scissors (child-safe)
  • Glue sticks
  • Tape (masking + clear)
  • Sticky notes (multiple colours/sizes)
  • Clipboards or firm writing boards if available
  • Blank printer paper
  • Lined/graph paper
Craft & Prototyping Materials
  • Cardstock or construction paper (variety of colours)
  • String, yarn, pipe cleaners
  • Craft sticks (popsicle sticks)
  • Model Magic (for quick prototypes)
  • Index cards (for flashcards, slogans, pitch notes)
Printed Supplies
Game/Simulation Materials (Finance & Teamwork)
  • Building challenge materials: straws, tape, paper, rubber bands (for Week 10 tower challenge)
Additional