Get the latest updates from The Lab! Sent out every two months, this newsletter helps you stay ahead of upcoming events and up to date on the latest business news and insights to fuel your entrepreneurial journey. Plus, get the chance to be featured and share your success story with our community — after all, we can’t wait to share this journey with you!
In this issue: Discover upcoming events. Learn how to increase your business value through the demographic shift. Explore workshops designed to bring clarity and validate your passions. Find out how our Bootcamp can help launch you in the right direction. And finally, join us in acknowledging Gareth Aiken’s impactful leadership at The Lab.
NextGen Entrepreneurs Program Update
“Cultivating our Next Generation of Leaders One Student at a Time”
We’re excited to kick off our 9-week NextGen program, starting September 8th! This program gives our Aliquippa 9th graders the chance to move forward with an idea of their own, using a modular, hands-on approach built on the CO.STARTERS Generator Curriculum.
Additionally, we are so blessed to have received donations from our mid-year matching grant campaign, which has allowed us to make this possible as we provide materials for students.
The Modules
Ideate Many students don’t know where to start. Because of this, the Ideate modules help participants come up with ideas for projects by exploring their passions and identifying problems in their community.
Discover Next, the Discover modules guide participants through self-discovery — helping them understand their personal strengths, limitations, and the importance of bringing the right people onto their team.
Build From there, using the CO.STARTERS Canvas, the Build modules provide an intuitive visual map to help participants understand, organize, and test their ideas. Overall, these modules cover the basic building blocks of any project.
Launch Finally, while the Build modules provide a high-level understanding of everything needed to launch a project, some groups may want to go deeper in certain areas. As a result, the Launch modules expand further on topics introduced during Build.
The Mission
Ultimately, our goal is to empower 9th graders by giving them the proper tools they need to understand the basic foundations of managing a sustainable business, while also providing them with the life skills they need to lead and conquer their field of choice — by problem solving, effectively communicating, efficiently planning, and managing responsibilities.
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Get Started Workshop
Know anyone who has an idea but no guidance on what to do next, or is stuck in their business and needs clarity on the next step?
Well, we have just what you need! In fact, our Get Started Workshop is happening this September to help you test that idea, learn your entrepreneurial identity, get unstuck, and ultimately take the next steps to make your dream come alive!
The New Demographic Shift in Entrepreneurs 📈
Shifting demographics are opening up new opportunities for entrepreneurs of all ages. For instance, data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor shows that young entrepreneurs are leading much of this activity, with nearly a quarter of 18–24-year-olds launching new businesses — many driven by a desire to build ventures that create positive social and environmental impact.
In response, many new business owners are prioritizing sustainability and social responsibility, from eco-conscious e-commerce practices to partnerships with micro-influencers who reach values-driven consumers.
Meanwhile, older entrepreneurs — particularly those in their 50s and 60s — are also launching new ventures at growing rates, contributing to economic recovery and building lasting legacies.
Ultimately, as these trends continue, businesses and support organizations that adapt to serve both younger and older entrepreneurs, while embracing diversity and sustainability, will be best positioned for long-term success.
Source: Global Entrepreneurship Monitor
It’s that time of year again — Our Bootcamp is coming this October & November! Our hackathon-style is the perfect peer collaboration. This bootcamp will challenges you, stretches your thinking, and gives you concrete tools to bring your business to life. This isn’t about listening — it’s about doing.
This is For You If:
- You have a promise idea that needs validation.
- You have an established business that needs a model refresh.
- You want intensive, focused progress in a short time.
Material Covered:
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Discover: Understand your business model and how to refine it. Build your model using The CO.STARTERS Canvas, refine through customer discovery, and start testing assumptions.
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Promote: Learn how to market your business effectively. Craft your message, choose your marketing channels, and develop your pitch.
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Build: Dive into the building blocks of financial modeling. Know your value before setting your price, understand your costs, and calculate break-even.
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Launch: Build momentum through goal setting. Set priorities, identify 30/60/90 day milestones, and create a plan to stay on track.
Bootcamp Options:
4-Day Bootcamp – ACAC, 610 E. Ohio Street,15212
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Duration: 4 days
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Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays- October 6th, 8th, 13th, 15th | 6:00-9:00 PM
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Cost: $100 (scholarships & sliding scale available)
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Location: Greenhouse Lab, 801 Franklin Ave, Aliquippa
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Included: Meals provided
2-Day Bootcamp – Greenhouse Lab, 801 Franklin Ave,15001
- Duration: 2 days
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Schedule: Friday 6:00-9pm + Saturday 8:30am-4:30pm
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Cost: $100 (scholarships & sliding scale available)
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Location: Greenhouse Lab, 801 Franklin Ave, Aliquippa
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Included: Meals provided
Celebrating Impactful Leadership
As sad as we are to see you step down from your role at The Lab, we are truly thankful for the time you have spent with us. Your strong leadership, incredible interpersonal skills, and genuine ability to build meaningful relationships and lasting bonds have made a lasting impact.
Thank you for investing in our young people and equipping the next generation to pursue what they have been called to do. While we will certainly miss having you at The Lab, we are excited to see you step into your awesome new role with Be United in Christ. We are grateful for the impact you have made here and are cheering you on in this next chapter.
