Who hasn't dreamed of starting their own company?

For most people, the idea has crossed their mind more than once. We all have projects we are passionate about, things we care about deeply and problems we wish to solve. Starting a company is a way to tackle all of these, while making some money on the side. 

I’ve wanted to start a company since I was very young, but it’s not easy when you’re still in high school or college. To make things worse, my high school didn’t have an entrepreneurship program, so finding the necessary information was difficult. 

Launching a successful business requires careful planning, effort, and the right guidance. Often, the best way to do it is through joining a program. For aspiring entrepreneurs looking to take their business dreams to the next level, the LaunchX Summer Programs provides a potential way to do this.

Full transparency: I work at BETA Camp, which is another program helping young people explore entrepreneurship, with fully-virtual programs that assist with building your very own startup, however we attempt to write unbiased and informative reviews for our readers. 

In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about the LaunchX Summer Program, including reviews, fees, dates, and more. With the right information, you'll be well on your way to achieving your entrepreneurial goals.

The key difference between LaunchX Summer Programs and other programs is that it is more than a lesson in business plan writing or a series of visits to multiple startups; it is an accelerator and incubator all in one. The focus of the LaunchX Summer Program is a holistic overview of entrepreneurship.

Stick around for the comparison chart at the end.

Table of Content

LaunchX Summer Program Review: Overview

LaunchX Summer Program Review: Key Features

LaunchX Summer Program Review: Logistics

LaunchX Summer Program Review: Pros and Cons

LaunchX Summer Program Review: Who is it for? 

Launch X Summer Program Review: 3 Things to Love about LaunchX

LaunchX Summer Program Review: How does it compare?

LaunchX Summer Program Review: Final Verdict

Overview

The LaunchX Summer Program is aimed at individuals looking to start their own startup and explore the concepts underpinning entrepreneurship. There are three programs running this summer: ​​The Entrepreneurship Campus Program, Entrepreneurship Online Program and Innovation Program. The program is five weeks long.

The Entrepreneurship Campus Program brings students together at the campus of a US university. Embracing the dynamic atmosphere on campus, students spend four weeks inhabiting the dorms and attending classes in the university, all while launching their own ventures and exploring cutting-edge startup culture. The program is five weeks long. 

The Entrepreneurship Online Program is an online experience. With the online experience, your calendar can be tailor-made to include the elective class sessions of your choice, creating a personalized experience. Plus, the speakers are even more diverse since the program isn't limited by geographical restrictions! The program is four weeks long. 

The Innovation Program is a shorter, in-person program. Engaging their mentors as partners, students delve into research, come up with revolutionary solutions, formulate their go-to-market strategy, and finally showcase their plans for a startup. The program is two weeks long. 

Key Features

In-person v Online

At LaunchX Summer Programs, there are both a campus experience and an online experience that both have certain strengths.

On the Campus Program, budding entrepreneurs have the opportunity to experience life at a top university. You can immerse yourself in the atmosphere, rub shoulders with like-minded innovators, and try to turn your dreams into reality during a four-week stay in the dorms and classrooms. During this time, you can potentially embrace the resources and culture of the college, and start a real business.

The Online Program offers flexibility for speakers, a full schedule, and simulations to help students apply their knowledge to the real world. Moreover, you can join from anywhere in the United States and even the world. 

Resources

LaunchX has partnered with some prestigious universities, giving them the power to draw from a plethora of remarkable speakers, such as Martin Culpepper, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The program leaders are generally experienced professionals with knowledge in entrepreneurship and education, and many have been involved in the business training industry in the past. A great example is Laís de Oliveira, the founder of Hacking Communities, a knowledge platform to help companies or individuals grow and build grassroots communities.

The program also produces course materials for students to learn from and use.

Demo Day

Once you are part of LaunchX you can celebrate the journey of your business, gain feedback and support, and demonstrate your progress at the LaunchX’s final pitch event - Demo Day!

Student teams will craft their pitches, then face the tough questions in a live session with mentors, entrepreneurs and investors. These professionals will not only be asking questions, but also providing helpful feedback which aligns with the previously discussed objectives.

BETA Camp has a similar demo day, where students engage in preparation sessions with leading professionals such as Isabel Hazan, a venture capitalist on the Investment Team at Leaders Fund, and pitch to well-known judges such as Connie Lo, the co-founder of Three Ships, a natural skin-care line. 

Mentors

Your team will gather on a weekly basis with a mentor to ask the important questions that will shape your start-up proposal. You will also gain insight on the feasibility of your suggested solution.

Mentors are a feature at most summer entrepreneurship programs.  Mentors can be important for a number of reasons. They can provide guidance, support, and encouragement to those they mentor, and can help them navigate challenges and make decisions. 

It is important for students to research the quality and quantity of mentors you will get at each program. For example, at BETA Camp - students get two mentors per start-up - allowing more diverse viewpoints to be expressed. 

Logistics

The programs have different prices, locations and lengths according to their respective goals and logistics. 

The LaunchX Entrepreneurship Campus Program costs $9540. There are two locations where the program will be running. The one program will be in Ann Arbor, Michigan from June 18th to July 15th, and the other Research Triangle, North Carolina from June 25th to July 22nd. 

The Launch X Online Entrepreneurship Summer Program is $5980. The program is virtual and can be attended from anywhere in the world. The program accommodates multiple timezones. The program is running from July 3rd - Aug 4th. 

The Innovation Program will be taking place from July 23rd to August 5th. The program cost is $5,980 and will be taking place in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Pros and Cons

The LaunchX programs are a comprehensive entrepreneurship program that provides students with the opportunity to learn all aspects of starting and growing a successful online business, but like every such program - it has upsides and downsides. 

‍

Some of the pros of the LaunchX Summer Program include: 

1. Access to exclusive content – The LaunchX Summer Program provides access to exclusive content that is not available anywhere else. This content includes videos, podcasts, articles, and more, giving you an in-depth look at how to start and grow a successful online business.

2. Mentor Support – The program also provides participants with access to mentors who can provide advice and guidance throughout their journey. These mentors provide personalized attention, helping to ensure that participants get the most out of the program.

3. Access to exclusive events – As part of the program, participants have access to exclusive events such as workshops and networking opportunities. These events provide valuable insight and connections that can help participants reach their goals.

Some of the cons of the LaunchX Summer Program Include: 

1. Cost – The LaunchX program does come with costs ranging from $5980 to $9540, which might make it prohibitive to some. There is also a $75 application fee that is non-refundable. This price is high compared to similar programs. BETA Camp’s programs are $2000 to $3000 in comparison for similar lengths. 

2. Commitment – In order to get the most out of the program, participants must commit to a full period of learning. This means dedicating time and effort to the program, which can be daunting for some. 

3. Location – For the in-person programming, participants have to travel to either Michigan or North Carolina. This might make it difficult for some to attend. This is one of the benefits of fully remote programs such as BETA Camp, which allows you to join from anywhere. 

Who is it for? 

The LaunchX Summer Program is for students in grade 9-12. The program may be a good fit for anyone who is interested in learning more about starting and running a business. This could include students who are considering entrepreneurship as a career path, or individuals who are already running their own small business and are looking to gain new skills and knowledge. 

‍

The LaunchX Summer Program may also be a good fit for those who are looking to network with other aspiring entrepreneurs and gain access to resources and support to help them grow their business. 

3 Things You Might Love About LaunchX

There are many things to love about Launch X Summer Programs, but here are three main benefits:

‍

1. Opportunity to learn from entrepreneurs and business experts: Launch X Summer Program offers a variety of workshops, seminars, and other educational programs that are led by entrepreneurs and business experts. These individuals can provide valuable insights, advice, and guidance on topics such as business planning, marketing, finance, and more.

2. Networking opportunities: Launch X Summer Program is also an opportunity to meet and connect with other aspiring entrepreneurs who are at different stages of their journey. This can be a valuable source of support, inspiration, and collaboration, and can help you build connections that may be beneficial to your business in the future.

3. Launch X Summer Program Resources: The program offers access to a variety of resources and support to help participants grow their businesses. This includes things like access to mentorship programs, funding opportunities, and other forms of support that can help you take your business to the next level.

How does it compare?

LaunchX Summer Program overlaps with similar programs in that it provides high school students with a comprehensive entrepreneurship curriculum, mentorship from experienced professionals, and access to a global network of entrepreneurs. However, there are key differences. 

The Berkeley Business Academy offers a Business Course where students have two-weeks to come up with a business idea. The central difference is that at LaunchX students build an actual start-up and do not just come up with a business plan. 

Programs such as BETA Camp offer similar programming, but BETA Camp programming is fully-virtual and the focus is more narrow; on building a revenue-generating startup. LaunchX offers both remote and in-person programming. BETA Camp moreover heavily emphasizes the community aspect of the program; focussing on sharing resources and alumni interactions. 

Leangap is a very similar program, offering both in-person and virtual programs. Leangap is however very execution driven, much like BETA Camp, just focussed on building a company, while LaunchX has broader entrepreneurial educational ambitions. 

Genius School’s Young Entrepreneur Academy is focussed on building a digital startup, and has set two-hours sessions a day, and is therefore less immersive. LaunchX allows any start-up to be built.

In summary, the key difference between LaunchX Summer Programs and other programs is that it is far more than a lesson in business plan writing or a series of visits to multiple startups; it is an accelerator and incubator all in one. The focus of the LaunchX Summer Program is a holistic overview of entrepreneurship.

Final Verdict

LaunchX Summer Programs teach entrepreneurship to high school students across the world. Through this program, students can launch their own businesses and gain real-world experience working with mentors and peers. 

‍

It's important to do your own research and carefully evaluate whether the program aligns with your goals and whether the cost of the program is justified. You may want to consider factors such as the curriculum, the quality of the instructors, the level of support and resources provided, and the experiences and outcomes of other students who have participated in the program. It may also be helpful to talk to others who have participated in the program or to reach out to the program organizers to ask questions and learn more about what you can expect if you decide to enroll.

‍