Launch Generation
Immersive Programs
Designed for 14-18-year-olds, our programs aim to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Our overnight summer programs are maxed at 25 participants and teens attend hands-on sessions on topics such as budgeting and credit, negotiations, prototyping, business structures, and financial models, personal goal setting, branding, resilience, and more. Staff and visiting mentors include entrepreneurs, industry experts, and financial educators.
No two days will be the same - we run sessions in the most engaging ways possible. Expect creative team projects, meaningful but hilarious workshops, leadership challenges, dedicated time to pick the brains of business owners and industry experts, numerous off-site visits, scavenger hunts, culinary business challenges, and participation in afternoons reminiscent of an episode of Shark Tank.
In addition to workshops and speakers, Teens will work in teams throughout each session to create an original and viable business idea that they pitch on the last day. These presentations will be judged by investors and executives from various industries.
We encourage autonomy and independence throughout our program while our professional staff works to ensure safety and accountability.
Launch Generation Sample Field Visits
Ethics & Stakeholders
A representative from Starbucks talks to the students about social responsibility in business with a focus on stakeholder and ethics. Learn about the inner workings
of Starbucks and how a large corporation can have a positive social and environmental impact on communities.
Started by a UCSD grad who wanted to capture surfing the perfect wave, GoPro is now a billion dollar publicly traded company and known worldwide. Take a tour of the San Diego campus, meet with a panel of executives, and be prepared to be put to work, envisioning the future of handheld cameras and action capture.
Visit the Pros at GoPro
This hot sauce with a cult-like following has turned into an international sensation. Visit the Huy Fong factory and learn how a Vietnamese refugee became
a business powerhouse in Southern California.
Get Fired Up with Sriracha
Business Accelerator
All start-ups need help with financing, tools, advice, or general support. Mission Edge is a business accelerator with a heart, investing in and providing structure for social enterprises and non-profits that are creating positive change, locally and globally.
Typical Day at Launch Generation
Programming runs daily from 9am to 9pm with several hours of free time each day. In addition to scheduled sessions, teens will have ample time to work in their business team groups to complete their final project and are encouraged to go off-site (with a staff member) to research and formulate their business ideas.
The schedule below will give you an idea of general time frames of days held on campus. Most days will include optional free time activities such as kickball, yoga, volleyball, capture the flag, meditation, and/or optional workshops.
8:15
9:00
11:00
12:30
1:30
3:00
5:00
6:00
7:30
9:00
10:30
Breakfast in the dining hall
Morning session with Launch Generation staff
Interactive workshop with visiting mentor
Lunch in the dining hall or local restaurant
Afternoon session with Launch Generation staff
Group project or visiting speaker
Free time
Dinner in the dining hall
Evening activity in Launch Pad (lounge area)
Free time
Room checks
Staff & Mentors
We vet and select a diverse staff for each program to act as role models, catalysts, and educators. Our participant to staff ratio is 4:1 and we employ an eclectic mix of professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives of all ages and walks of life to inspire and collaborate with this next generation of leaders. Bios of staff and mentors are finalized one month prior to each program.