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Launching ECHO
Introduction to Entrepreneurship & Business Plan Competitions
Are you ready to energize your lecture-based class and involve your students in project based learning? Incorporate Launching ECHO into your class and capture your students’ interest on the first day while supporting their social-emotional learning through highly interactive team-based work. Provide a personally, relevant, engaging, and inclusive experience for students in sixth through 12th grade, and give them the gift of an entrepreneurial mindset that they will take to college and into their careers.
Start up!
Launching ECHO is now a UC approved course!
Starting Fall 2025 Project ECHO's "Launching ECHO: Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Business Plan Competition" will fulfill a A-G course at any University of California school. Get ahead on your college credits with Project ECHO!
Launching ECHO is a turnkey activity-based program that empowers students with entrepreneurial mindset, with a focus on identifying business opportunities, innovating, planning, business, finance, and management. Increase student achievement through project based learning in your classroom and have your students work in teams to identify community based problems, followed by creating solutions through the development of products and services. Supplement any class with this all inclusive program, supported by a a curriculum, activities, mentorship, and special events, including:
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Teacher, professional development, and full program support
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Curriculum, license, student fees, and competition registration
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Student workbooks
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Activities and gamified curriculum elements
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Background check volunteers to mentor start up teams
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Events include Program Launch, Business Boot Camp, featured guests, and more!
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Access to a video, library of special guests, and curriculum presentations
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Adaptable curriculum is appropriate for 6th through 12th graders and can be implemented in 20-40 hours in one semester or two.
Benefits of participating in Project Echo
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Helps students identify, academic strengths, and future college and career paths.
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Adds to the rigor of a capstone event to a class or a competition to a business program
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Provides a profound interdisciplinary project to any learning community, from a class to a club.
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Develops crucial skills from entrepreneurship into any class, from Performing Arts to AP Physics
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Dovetails with other competitions, student organizations, or clubs.
"These three years [with Project ECHO] have come and gone allowing various opportunities to share our passion for the entrepreneurial experience with others through our presentations and business plans. Through Project ECHO, we were exposed to an outlet for creativity as well as helpful constructive criticism. The competition also further expanded our collaboration, public speaking, networking, and critical thinking skills."
~ TeamSimply Pill, St John Bosco High School, Overall winner of the 2019 BPC
High School Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition
This “Shark Tank” style competition provides a capstone event for your class or a competition to your business or entrepreneurship program. The High School Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition simulates the real world process of entrepreneurs soliciting start up funds from investors. The quality of the idea, the strength of the management team, and the clarity and persuasiveness of the business plan and pitch are the criteria that determines each judges decision.
Give your students the opportunity to..
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Improve key, transferable skills, such as communication, leadership, and teamwork
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Increase their public, speaking confidence.
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Develop informative and presentations slide decks
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Experience reacting to on the spot, challenging questions.
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Win cash prices that can help start a business or pay for college.
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Complete a program where more than 97% of its alumni referred to it on college applications, and admission essays.
"My students loved the experience of sharing their business pitch with a panel of judges as well as their peers. They learned all the ups and downs of starting their own business. The competition allowed them to network with other students from schools across the Los Angeles area and learn from other groups. It is a truly memorable experience that many students talk about years after graduation."
~ Natalie Cook - Teacher at Charter Oak High School
