What is Monroe County startUP?

2025-2026 Applications

All junior & senior students in Monroe County are eligible to apply to startUP! 
See the appropriate application below for all the details. 

​Public School Students 

Homeschool Students

For further questions, contact:
Priscilla Wilkerson, Program Facilitator
[email protected]

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The startUP program is a community partnership between local high school students and area businesses that transforms the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. 

Students from Monroe County will work hand-in-hand with local businesses to develop the knowledge and skills to launch their own working business.  Students will create real businesses, invested with real money and ideally, earn real profits.  Community leaders and business owners serve as mentors, provide touring opportunities of their businesses and/or serve as guest speakers to share knowledge on all areas of operating a business.  This partnership is designed to encourage young people to come back to our community to build businesses and inspire future generations of entrepreneurs to follow their dreams. 

Annual Reports

The startUP program: 

• ​Is funded by business investors
• Is open to high school juniors and seniors
• Selects students through a rigorous application process
• Serves students from public and private high schools
• Meets for 90 minutes each day
• Provides two high school credits
• Provides four college credits through SWIC
• Utilizes area businesses as classrooms
• Visits over 30 businesses each year
• Host 40-45 guest speakers each year
• Emphasizes 21st century learning skills
• Hosts an annual trade show to showcase student businesses
• Provides opportunity for each student to start their own business

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What are students saying about the startUP experience? 

"startUP forced me to be more mature, improved my organizational skills and speaking ability." 
- John Shriver

"startUP has been the greatest learning opportunity I have ever received. Not only have I learned so much about business, I have met some pretty awesome people along the way. You learn so much and the possibilities are endless in startUP."
- Jeremy Zeidler

"It has taught me things that I wouldn't have learned in any other class.  I now realize that being an entrepreneur is definitely what I want to do with my life."
- Bryce Vogt

Hear More!

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