I sat at my local Starbucks, staring intensely at my laptop screen with countless questions running through my mind. Is my start-up idea even good? How do I reach out to schools I want to collaborate with? What is a LLC? Where do I get money?
I was just a 17-year-old with an idea of starting an education company that teaches leadership at local schools. My idea never made it out to the world. The curiosity and excitement I possessed slowly evaporated as I felt lost, convincing myself I simply cannot succeed as an entrepreneur.
Giving up on the entrepreneurial journey due to a lack of information and support is a common challenge many young dreamers encounter.
Solution:
Cove’s summer program addresses the lack of entrepreneurial and real-world skill development opportunities for high school students studying in international schools in China. By focusing on six essential skills—innovation, leadership, communication, strategic thinking, personal branding, and management, — this program prepares students to thrive in a fast-changing global job market.
Unlike traditional education, which often prioritizes exams and academic knowledge, this program emphasizes hands-on learning through simulations and personalized mentorship from Harvard-affiliated founders and professors. Premiere access to the Harvard ecosystem gives students direct insights into the world of entrepreneurship.
This program is a one-and-a-half-week immersive experience designed around six core skills every entrepreneur needs. Students participate in an interactive workshop and activity each day building on the previous, with students applying new skills through collaborative projects and hands-on challenges. The culmination of skills and knowledge prepare students for the Shark Tank style pitch challenge, which concludes the program.
During the program, students have the opportunity to visit Boston-based startups and chat with founders, where they witness entrepreneurial thinking in action. By combining theoretical learning with practical application, Cove effectively prepares students for real-world challenges in a way that traditional education cannot.
Impact Statement:
Cove empowers students to become adaptable, innovative, and entrepreneurial thinkers, bridging the gap left by traditional education. With direct mentorship from Harvard professionals, it’s a transformative experience that equips young minds with the skills essential for tomorrow’s dynamic workforce.
Key Partnerships: Cove relies on strategic partnerships with three categories of organizations to enhance its impact and overall success.
- Harvard-Affiliated Experts: Collaborations with Harvard faculty, peers, and entrepreneurs (including those from the Harvard iLab) provide students with exclusive access to expert insights in the six core skills targeted by the summer program. This access to potential mentorship and specialized knowledge strengthens Cove’s curriculum, building credibility and distinguishing the program from others in the market.
- Boston-Based Startups: Partnerships with Boston startups and new venture founders provide hands-on learning opportunities, immersing students in real-world entrepreneurial experiences. These relationships are central to Cove’s experiential learning approach, enriching students’ experience, and broadening our market reach, forming a key pillar of Cove’s business model.
- Local Partnerships with Chinese International Schools: Collaborations with international schools in China act as crucial marketing and distribution channels, connecting Cove directly with its target audience and building trust among parents and students.
Mock Schedule for Personal Branding Day
