Program teaches high schoolers to launch real companies
Laurie Stach founded LaunchX in 2012 to give high school students hands-on entrepreneurship experience. The intensive summer program has students form teams, identify problems, and build marketable products, often generating preorders or revenue within four weeks. LaunchX now serves about 500 students annually through in-person and online programs.
Stach's own academic path combined engineering and business training, having completed her mechanical engineering degree at MIT before earning an MBA from Harvard Business School in 2011. Her first LaunchX session in 2013 hosted just 30 students on the MIT campus, but the program has grown considerably since then.
The program operates as a for-profit venture, and its core model involves students working in teams to develop marketable products within a four-week timeframe. LaunchX now reaches roughly 500 students annually through both physical and virtual formats, reflecting the program's expansion beyond its original campus setting.
LaunchX could help bridge a gap between traditional schooling and practical business skills, potentially shaping how young people approach problem-solving and career choices. Students who participate may gain confidence and real-world experience earlier than their peers, which could influence their academic and professional trajectories. The program's growth suggests increasing demand for hands-on entrepreneurship education, though its for-profit model and selective nature may limit access to students from certain backgrounds.