Jumpstart Your Future: Seton Hall's Summer Entrepreneurship Institute Returns for High School Innovators

Now entering its third year, the Summer Entrepreneurship Institute — a dynamic partnership between Seton Hall University's Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies (CEPS) and industry leaders — is back and bigger than ever! This energizing Pre-College program gives high school students a hands-on introduction to entrepreneurship, small business startups and new product development. Over the course of an action-filled two weeks in July, students will build real-world skills, bring their ideas to life, and set the stage for future success.  

From July 7-17, 2025, participants will engage in highly interactive learning from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, understanding how to transform innovative business ideas into reality. The program requires no prior experience in entrepreneurship, making it an ideal opportunity for students eager to explore the world of business. 

Under the guidance of Victor Salama, Executive Director of the Greater Newark Enterprises Corporation (GNEC), students will develop a product prototype over the first eight days, culminating in a competition on Day nine, where students pitch their business ideas continuously for 90 minutes to hundreds of guests, with the top teams winning cash prizes. More than just business fundamentals, the program instills an understanding of entrepreneurship through an ethical and societal lens, empowering students to build sustainable and impactful ventures. 

The Summer Entrepreneurship Institute is supported by Valley Bank and PSEG, whose funding helps provide resources and professional mentorship to participants. The program is a collaborative effort with GNEC, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that has been supporting entrepreneurs since 2005, offering loan capital and business development resources for startups and established firms. 

For students considering studying entrepreneurship in college, Seton Hall University offers a Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, where faculty, students, alumni and entrepreneurs collaborate to advance entrepreneurial learning and foster business success. 

For more information and to register for the Summer Entrepreneurship Institute, visit the Continuing Education and Professional Studies website today. Spots are limited, so secure your place now! Scholarships are available.

Categories: Business, Campus Life, Education