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    Entrepreneurship Institute
    In-person Program

    Entrepreneurship Institute

    by Wake Forest University

    Build and pitch a start-up while learning entrepreneurial ideation, finance, marketing, prototyping, and strategy from experienced founders.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Entrepreneurship Institute at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-12; good standing

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

    Cost

    $3,500

    Duration

    Sunday-Friday

    Format

    In-person

    Application deadline

    Rolling · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

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    Business & EconomicsEntrepreneurshipFinance
    Accommodation: Campus residence hall
    Meals: All program meals provided
    Certificate / Outcome: Wake Forest completion certificate
    Campus experience: Start-up tours; evening activities
    Tutors / faculty: Louis Foreman; industry mentors

    Entrepreneurship Institute summary

    A practical entrepreneurship experience built around taking an idea from early concept through testing, development, and pitching.

    Students learn ideation, financial modeling, customer-focused marketing, prototyping, and entrepreneurial strategy through workshops and group work.

    Founder mentoring, visits to start-up organizations, and a hands-on start-up competition suit students who prefer applied business learning.

    What is Entrepreneurship Institute?

    The Entrepreneurship Institute is part of Wake Forest University's Summer Immersion Program. It introduces high school students to entrepreneurial ideation, financial modeling, marketing, strategy, prototyping, and concept development.

    Participants learn through workshops, founder mentoring, start-up visits, and collaborative project work. They develop a pitch deck and apply the program's business concepts to planning, pitching, and launching a start-up concept.

    Why Succeed highlights Entrepreneurship Institute

    • Students apply business concepts to a start-up project instead of only attending lectures.

    • The curriculum connects ideation with financial modeling, marketing, testing, prototyping, and pitching.

    • Founders, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders provide mentoring and real-world context.

    • Start-up, accelerator, and incubator visits expose students to different stages of venture development.

    • Participants earn an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.

    Who is Entrepreneurship Institute for?

    Best for

    Students who want to test entrepreneurship through collaborative, practical work and are comfortable presenting an idea.

    Not ideal if

    You need academic credit, prefer a nonresidential option, or do not want an intensive group project and pitch.

    Is Entrepreneurship Institute worth it?

    It can be worthwhile for a student who wants a concentrated test of entrepreneurship before choosing a degree or longer business program. The mix of idea development, market research, pitching, founder contact, and company visits offers more practical exposure than a lecture-only course.

    The main limitation is that the institute is non-credit and compresses substantial project work into a short residential experience. Its value therefore depends on active participation and thoughtful reflection afterward, not simply listing attendance on an application.

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    Founder, Succeed

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $3,500; includes All program meals during the campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Residential campus programming and evening activities.

    Accommodation

    Campus residence hall

    Meals

    All program meals provided

    Provider details

    Review the Wake Forest University provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    Sunday-Friday; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Entrepreneurship Institute need?

    Effort level

    High-intensity residential week.

    Best started

    Three to four weeks before applications open.

    Main challenge

    Turning an early idea into a credible group pitch.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft the two application essays and identify an eligible recommender early.

    • Think of several customer problems you would enjoy investigating.

    • Practice explaining an idea clearly in one minute.

    • Plan residential travel, forms, and payment well before the selected session.

    Useful if

    You enjoy teamwork, market research, and presenting ideas.

    What do students do on Entrepreneurship Institute?

    Students move from identifying an opportunity to researching customers, developing a concept, and presenting a start-up pitch with guidance from experienced entrepreneurs.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore entrepreneurial ideation and develop a business concept.

    2. 2

      Use market research to define and understand target customers.

    3. 3

      Build a basic financial model and marketing approach.

    4. 4

      Test the idea through vapor testing and basic prototyping.

    5. 5

      Visit start-ups, accelerators, or incubators for real-world context.

    6. 6

      Create a pitch deck and develop the group project.

    7. 7

      Present the start-up concept through a hands-on pitch experience.

    Entrepreneurship Institute dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Applications

    Rolling admissions

    Applications are considered until programs fill.

    Reference date

    June 2026 session

    21-26 June 2026

    Historical residential institute week.

    Reference date

    July 2026 session

    12-17 July 2026

    Historical residential institute week.

    Reference date

    Applications open

    1 November 2026

    Opening date for summer 2027 applications.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Current student in Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12

    • Good academic standing

    • No school suspensions

    • Strong academic background and enthusiasm for learning

    • Sufficient English fluency for full participation

    • Home-schooled students may apply

    • International students may apply

    How much does Entrepreneurship Institute cost?

    Program fee

    $3,500 — Published tuition; subject to annual change.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $60 — Nonrefundable and due with the application.
    • Enrollment deposit: $550 — Nonrefundable payment used to secure a seat.
    • Scholarships: Need-based — Limited funding is requested through the general application.

    What's included

    All program meals during the campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Residential campus programming and evening activities

    How to apply to Entrepreneurship Institute

    1. 1

      Create an account in the Wake Forest Pre-College student portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the online application and two essay responses.

    3. 3

      Provide a self-reported GPA and details for an eligible recommender.

    4. 4

      Submit the application with the nonrefundable application fee.

    5. 5

      Wait for the application and recommendation to be reviewed.

    6. 6

      After acceptance, select an institute and week through registration.

    7. 7

      Submit the enrollment deposit to secure the selected place or join a waitlist.

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    What does Entrepreneurship Institute cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Entrepreneurial ideation

    Develop, examine, and refine an idea that addresses a meaningful customer problem.

    Financial modeling

    Explore the financial thinking needed to assess and communicate a venture concept.

    Entrepreneurial marketing

    Learn how to identify, reach, and sell to target-market customers.

    Testing and prototyping

    Use vapor testing, basic prototyping, and concept development to test assumptions.

    Pitch development

    Create a pitch deck and shape the group project into a presentable start-up concept.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Entrepreneurship Institute?

    A typical day during the program.

    8:00 9:30 am

    Breakfast and the morning meeting lead into the program introduction and innovation presentation.

    10:00 am 12:00 pm

    Students may tour a local start-up before returning for lunch.

    1:00 4:00 pm

    Marketing, market research, project planning, workshops, and a daily debrief fill the afternoon.

    5:00 10:30 pm

    Dinner is followed by activities, free time, and the residential lights-out routine.

    Who teaches on Entrepreneurship Institute?

    Academic leader Louis Foreman is an entrepreneur, inventor, and Wake Forest Assistant Professor of the Practice in Entrepreneurship who has created 10 start-ups and contributed to more than 20 others. Students also receive mentoring from founders, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.

    Founder and industry mentoring complements the academic leadership.

    Where do students stay on Entrepreneurship Institute?

    Residential plan

    • Campus residence hall: All participants must stay in their assigned residence hall for the institute week.
    • Campus dining: All program meals are provided through campus dining or catering arranged for off-site activities.
    • Residential supervision: Professional staff live in the residence hall and participate in a 24-hour on-call rotation.
    • Evening activities: Staff-led activities may include basketball, karaoke, s'mores, Spikeball, volleyball, panels, and workshops.

    Roommate requests may be submitted after registration but are not guaranteed.

    What happens after Entrepreneurship Institute?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Use the pitch deck as evidence of practical business exploration.

    Reflect on customer research, testing, teamwork, and presentation experience.

    Receive an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.

    Use the experience to assess further study in entrepreneurship, business, finance, or marketing.

    Build informed questions for future projects, courses, or work experience.

    The institute carries no secondary-school or college credit and does not provide preferential admission to Wake Forest.

    Where does Entrepreneurship Institute take place?

    The institute takes place on the Wake Forest University campus in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Participants live in campus residence halls, eat through campus dining, attend classes and workshops, and join supervised evening activities.

    Optional airport shuttles require separate reservations and fees.

    Entrepreneurship Institute FAQs

    The curriculum covers entrepreneurial ideation, financial modeling, target-customer marketing, entrepreneurial mindset, vapor testing, basic prototyping, and concept development.

    Yes. Students develop a group entrepreneurship project, create a pitch deck, and put their learning into practice through a start-up pitch experience.

    Yes. All institute participants must live in their assigned Wake Forest residence hall for the full residential week.

    All program meals are provided during the campus stay. Dietary restrictions are collected through the Medical Authorization Form after acceptance and registration.

    The recommendation must come from a school counselor, teacher, or administrator who can address your academic ability and readiness for a college environment. Family members, coaches, religious leaders, and paid tutors cannot provide it.

    No. Applicants provide a self-reported GPA, but high-school transcripts and test scores are not required.

    The institute is non-credit. Students who complete the program receive an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.

    Yes, and a TOEFL score is not required. International students must participate in English but are not eligible for Wake Forest need-based aid or scholarships.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Wake Forest Pre-College Programs Applications
    • Wake Forest Pre-College Campus
    • Summer Immersion Program Dates | Wake Forest Pre-College
    • FAQ | Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
    • Apply - Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
    • High School Summer Program in Entrepreneurship at Wake Forest

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Official institute page checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Application process verified

    • Fees and funding reviewed

    • Campus arrangements checked

    • Dates reviewed against cycle

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.