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Bring Hands-On Entrepreneurship
Education to Your School
Project ECHO gives high school and middle school educators a ready-to-implement curriculum, professional development, mentorship, and an exciting business plan competition, helping students build leadership, financial literacy, communication, and career-ready skills.
University of California (UC) A-G approved • CTE-friendly • Serving schools since 1996 • In-person and virtual options
Scroll through the List of our Proud Partners and Sponsors
Entrepreneurship Programs & Experiences for High School and Middle School Students
Why Project ECHO?
Project ECHO (Entrepreneurial Concepts Hands On!) collaborates directly with middle and high schools to offer project-based entrepreneurship programs that are innovative and equitable and allow teachers to meet their students where they are. Implement your vision for student success through project-based learning, and watch your students develop leadership skills through committed engagement. When it's their idea, they're accountable.
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Participating teachers reported that their students developed their cognitive abilities, and demonstrated an increase in self-confidence, motivation, and drive to complete their projects.
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Through robust entrepreneurship programs, Project ECHO offers:
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student-focused curriculums
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professional development for educators
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university-hosted events
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mentorship, support and guest speakers
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assistance to schools to build community collaborations
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and features the High School Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition
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Students complete Project ECHO’s entrepreneurship programs empowered by their accomplishments, with many juniors and seniors reporting college majors and careers are now in focus!
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Standing out in the Competitive College Landscape
Students are awarded a Certificate of Accomplishment at the conclusion of the competition, building their college portfolios and helping them stand out from their peers as they prepare to apply for college.
Innovate + Participate + Succeed
97%
Of participants indicated that Project ECHO's Business Plan Competition was their most memorable high school experience.
97%
Of high school students indicated that they will refer to Project ECHO on their college applications.
94%
Of post-program participants now feel confident to lead a team.
90%
Of participants had an increased interest in business. 90% also stated it helped them identify a college major.
80%
Showed increased skills in finance, leadership, communication, self-confidence, teamwork and enthusiasm for school.
70%
Identified their academic strengths, and were influenced to pursue college with a career in focus.
Project ECHO is designed to unleash the potential of all young people. We teach participants to draw both from their own strengths as well as to build upon the capabilities of others. Developing a new business idea from the ground up not only re-engages students in their academic journey, but it builds a more assured future for their next step into college and/or career.
RAY CHOU
DIRECTOR BREAKTHROUGH TRAINING CENTER
I would encourage schools considering Project ECHO to sign up immediately! Project ECHO is among the most caring organizations out there. Year in and year out, it provides loads of infrastructure for both students and schools looking to learn and teach entrepreneurship. The programs are always improving, and the leadership is top notch.
DR. SABA ARAYA
PRINCIPAL CITY HONORS INTERNATIONAL PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL
Some of the life skills that we have seen manifest in our students who participate in Project ECHO are confidence in public speaking, feeling successful in collaborating and working with a team, learning how to collect and analyze data, using social media for business, and using creativity to find innovative solutions to difficult problems.
JAYANTHI RAJA
PARENT OF A HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR
"The most important things my son learned from participating in Project ECHO were creating a business plan and developing the self-confidence to learn to pitch a business. My son was learning things in his Project ECHO high school classroom that I learned in my MBA program".