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IU Indianapolis High School Entrepreneurship Bootcamp

IU Indianapolis High School Entrepreneurship Bootcamp

Partnering with Indianapolis Public Schools to foster future entrepreneurs

IU Indianapolis High School Entrepreneurship Bootcamp (formally named IUPUI BOSS Camp) teaches high school students to think like entrepreneurs, community advocates, and problem-solvers - with the confidence to try (and fail at) new things.

IU Indianapolis High School Entrepreneurship Bootcamp is a partnership between the IU Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement, IU Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis, and the IU Herron School of Art + Design in Indianapolis. The five-day experience guides high school students on a journey where they learn to vision, design, and pitch a business idea for cash awards.

Watch the WRTV interview about the 2023 IUPUI BOSS Camp.

Collaborating with campus and community for student learning

During the Bootcamp, students gain knowledge and confidence from IU Indianapolis faculty, college student mentors, and local business experts and owners who help students envision, research, and design a future business.

Kelley faculty teach students about business foundations and types of businesses; product demand and pricing, advertising and promotion; management and personnel; and manufacturing, delivery, and logistics.

Herron faculty teach Design Thinking, and work hands-on with students in the Think It Make It makerspace using 3D printers, laser cutters, printers, and VR technology to create product prototypes and advertising materials for their businesses.
IU Indianapolis students serve as mentors and are available to help students conduct business research, plan and complete assignments, and support their needs throughout the week.
Special speakers from the business community attend and offer practical advice about business ownership.
Business experts from banks and business resource centers attend to share important information to pursue their business ideas after the Bootcamp.

Bootcamp Model

The Bootcamp model was created by Tim Scales, director of the IU East Center for Entrepreneurship in the School of Business and Economics. The Bootcamp not only teaches business principles and small business start-up; students gain confidence in their abilities by learning the power of their ideas. Throughout the week-long camp, students explore creative solutions to problems, improve organization and communication skills, take initiative and manage their time and resources, and work independently and in teams – all of which are fundamental for future success.

Location

The Bootcamp is held on the IU Indianapolis campus, which gives students access to IU Indianapolis technology and other resources, as well as opportunities to tour the campus, meet recruiters, and learn about college degree programs.

Thank you to our funders

IPS Foundation
Fifth Third Foundation
Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Indianapolis Foundation
Kelley School of Business Indianapolis
Herron School of Art + Design
IU Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement

Compensation

The Bootcamp is a summer job and a personal investment of time for the high school students, and students are paid a weekly salary that they may use to invest in their first business, education, or other passions. They also can win cash awards for their business ideas at the Friday Pitch Contest.

Application

The Bootcamp is free and open to students from all four IPS district high schools: George Washington, Crispus Attucks, Arsenal Tech, and Shortridge. Each 5-day bootcamp can accommodate up to 30 students. Interested students complete an application available through their school, which includes parent information for students under 18 years of age.

2024 IU Indianapolis High School Entrepreneurship Bootcamp

Survey says

2021 ootcamp students rated the curriculum and applicability to their future careers.

88%Rated the Overall Camp as Excellent or Good

94%Rated the Camp as Excellent or Good when asked if it will be Useful to their Future Careers

94%Rated the Camp as Excellent or Good when asked if it will be Applicable in School

94%Rated the Camp Content as Excellent or Good

Featured articles

Summer camp teaches high schools students entrepreneurship skills

First place winner, Zaniah Davis, receives a check for $200 for her business, Z’s Kitchen.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 IU Indianapolis Entrepreneurship Boot Camp Pitch Awards!

IPS students make boss moves at IUPUI's BOSS Camp

By Amber Grigley, WRTV News, June 12, 2023

The thrill of creating your own business is striking the minds of our youth. After all, they are the entrepreneurs of the future. This week, 25 IPS students attended BOSS Camp at IUPUI. The week-long experience helps high school students learn how to start, design and pitch a business.

Indy high school students pitch business ideas

By Alex Brown, INside Indiana Business, June 12, 2023

The pitch contest came with a $100 cash prize for first place, followed by $75 for second and $50 for third. The 2023 winners are:

Watch video!

Hear from two future entreprenuers about their experience in the 2021 IUPUI BOSS Camp.

Interested?

The IU Indianapolis High School Entrepreneurship Bootcamp is open to students in the four IPS district schools: Arsenal Tech, Crispus Attucks, George Washington, and Shortridge. Learn more through your school's Workbased Learning Coordinators.