The Entrepreneurship Institute

Students who complete an Institute can often use the experience for high school credit through participating high school's flexible pathways programs. The hours and academic content at each GIV Institute often equate to a full class at most Vermont high schools.

Awarding high school credit is at the discretion of the student’s sending school.
Some high schools cannot award credit for completion due to variations in grading systems, PLPs, and credit systems.

To support the process, we recommend students make a plan with their high school guidance counselor or Flexible Pathways coordinator before attending GIV to explore credit options

For participating schools and Flexible Pathways programs, students have been able to gain credit for presenting their academic achievements at GIV through methods such as...
- Offering a formal presentation to reflect on their studies and their experience at GIV to present for counselors and/or teachers in Fall after completing an Institute.
- A showcase of a final product, which are created in the final days at most Institutes either as an individual or group project.
- A learning journal to be submitted and reviewed to share areas of learning, activities, reflections.
- Work examples to share with sending school teachers (physical or digital products, writing, videos of presentations, learning journal, etc.) to be reviewed and assessed.

To connect with someone at your school who can explore or support this process, see the current list of School Ambassadors at https://giv.org/resources-for-students (scroll to the bottom of the page).

1-week intensive
Three instructional/activity periods each day
Form teams to develop business plans and practice professional team roles
Culmination in presentation of a business plan for actual investors
Field trips to area businesses and companies that inspire entrepreneurial spirit
Leadership and team-building
Grapple with the ambiguity of the entrepreneurship process
Free time, games, and relax time
Dormitories and roommates
4:1 student-to-staff ratio

Business
Finance
Economics (macro & personal)
Idea formation
Presentation & public speaking
Vermont-focused business opportunities
Practical entrepreneurial skills for every field or occupation

40+ hours of entrepreneurial training and exploration
Connections with the Champlain College Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Build relationships with established business professionals

Equivalent to one semester of high school credit in 1 or more of the following:

Financial Literacy
Personal Finance
Global Citizenship- Economics
Public Speaking

This Institute’s curriculum has been aligned with the following Vermont proficiency-based graduation requirements at the high school level.

Financial Literacy
- Spending/Saving
- Credit and Debt
- Financial Decision Making
- Employment and Income
- Investing
- Risk Management and Insurance

Global Citizenship
- Constructing Questions: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d
- Determining Helpful Sources: 2a
- Civic & Political Institutions: 3a, 3d
- Economic Decision Making: 6a
- Exchange & Markets: 7a, 7b
- Global Economy: 9a

Transferable Skills
- Communication: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g
- Self-Direction: 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i
- Problem Solving: 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h
- Citizenship: 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f
- Informed Thinking: 5a, 5b, 5f

Eligible for embedded college credit through Champlain College.
Course Title: BUS-130 Creativity & Innovation (3 credits)
Dual Enrollment voucher eligible.
Visit our Academic Guide to learn more about how to access these credits and different payment support options.

For more detail and to compare different opportunities, check out our Academic Guide!