Opportunities

The three-week Governor’s School of Entrepreneurship is for high school students from all parts of West Virginia. If selected, you’ll join a select group of aspiring entrepreneurs for three weeks to learn about how to develop successful new businesses. On the first day, plan to arrive early. All participants and their parents will register and go through a brief orientation and tour of the West Virginia University campus. After checking into the dorms, you’ll say goodbye to your parents or guardians, freshen up, and then join us for the opening ceremonies.

 

You’ll spend most of the three-week session living in West Virginia University’s Honors Hall. These dorms have double occupancy with en suite baths, laundry, and a lounge on each floor. Breakfast and dinner will be provided at Summit Hall, just across a side street from Honors Hall.  Lunches may be provided by special arrangement, but always at no cost.

Most days you’ll have lessons and team sessions in both the morning and afternoon. Each team of entrepreneurs will find a quiet spot to plan together. Throughout the weeks there will be exciting activities and lessons that will garner the knowledge to be successful entrepreneurs. The curriculum is focused in four different categories: hospitality and tourism, healthcare, technology, and creative economies that are important to our state.  

Throughout the entire three-week Governor’s School, you will be working with other young entrepreneurs to develop, pitch, and launch a new venture. All teams will have time to develop their idea before they will pitch it to a panel of investors who have the opportunity to invest in their ideas. After a successful pitch, teams will have time to develop, test, market, and launch their ventures on the last weekend in Morgantown.

After dinner, plan to head to the WVU Student Recreation Center (Rec Center) for a few hours of friendly competition. The state-of-the-art Rec Center at West Virginia University features a large swimming pool, numerous basketball, volleyball, badminton, squash and racquetball courts, weight training facilities, an indoor rock climbing wall, spinning classes, yoga, aerobics, a large assortment of cardiovascular equipment, and an elevated indoor running track.  

Entrepreneurs should plan on at least one field trip where we’ll meet highly successful entrepreneurs, hear their stories, and see their businesses first hand. You’ll also spend one day on an outdoor adventure. The final day of the Governor’s School, you’ll have a chance to recount everything you’ve learned, meet with your investors to give them a report, and then join Governor Jim Justice or his designee for the Governor’s Awards Ceremony. (black tie optional)