Coaching-led learning
Guided questions, encouragement and feedback help students develop their own ideas.
Educators support independent thinking rather than simply providing ready-made solutions.
Innovation, Leadership & Entrepreneurship
Future Founders
From a promising idea to a compelling pitch. Develop a concept, understand its audience and deliver a persuasive pitch.
Curriculum overviewEntrepreneurship & Future Readiness · Create & Contribute
Register Your Interest Program description
From a promising idea to a compelling pitch.
Future Founders is a project-based entrepreneurship program that helps students develop an idea into a clearly defined and thoughtfully presented venture concept.
Building on entrepreneurial thinking and creative problem-solving, students explore how a promising idea can be developed through research, customer understanding, experimentation and feedback.
Students begin by identifying a meaningful problem or opportunity. They investigate who experiences the problem, consider what people need and develop a proposed solution.
Through structured activities and guided coaching, students explore value propositions, simple venture models and the resources that may be required to deliver their ideas.
Students develop an age-appropriate concept prototype or visual representation and practise gathering feedback through approved educational activities.
They learn to refine their ideas, communicate their reasoning and explain why their proposed solution may be useful.
The program culminates in a structured pitch in which students present their problem, audience, solution, value proposition and key learning.
Future Founders encourages initiative, creativity, collaboration and responsible decision-making. The primary educational objective is to develop entrepreneurial capability and student agency rather than require students to launch an actual business.
This is public-facing copy. It must be reconciled with the authoritative Phase 1 curriculum and does not replace it.
What students will learn
Purposeful skills, built through practice.
Define an entrepreneurial opportunity
Understand an intended audience
Develop a proposed solution
Communicate a value proposition
Consider basic feasibility
Respond to appropriate feedback
Prepare and deliver a pitch
Reflect on entrepreneurial development
The Forge difference
Why Families Choose Forge Innovation & Entrepreneurship
From curiosity to contribution—students develop ideas through guided inquiry, practical projects, feedback and reflection.
Real-world problem-solving
Students investigate meaningful challenges and explore practical ways to address them.
Learning connects to everyday experiences, communities and potential user needs.
Creativity & experimentation
Students generate ideas, experiment with solutions and learn through iteration.
Unsuccessful experiments can become useful sources of feedback and learning.
Teamwork & leadership
Collaborative challenges create opportunities to practise communication, initiative and responsibility.
Students may contribute through different strengths, personalities and roles.
Age-appropriate development
Learning challenges are matched to students' age, interests and experience.
Younger learners may use guided activities while experienced learners tackle more complex projects.
Meaningful project outcomes
Students work towards tangible projects that demonstrate their ideas and learning.
Projects may include prototypes, invention models, leadership projects, venture concepts and pitches; commercial outcomes are not promised.
Innovation inquiry cycle
Find. Observe. Reimagine. Generate. Evaluate.
This course-specific inquiry cycle connects curiosity, human-centred observation, creative problem-solving, practical application and reflection. The academy-wide Explore · Build · Apply · Master progression remains authoritative.
01
Find
02
Observe
03
Reimagine
04
Generate
05
Evaluate
Curriculum
Core learning, clearly connected.
Each area is developed through guided explanation, practical work, testing and reflection.
Learning area 1
Identifying and defining a meaningful opportunity.
Learning area 2
Understanding audiences, customers and user needs.
Learning area 3
Developing a clear value proposition.
Learning area 4
Exploring an appropriate venture or solution model.
Learning area 5
Developing and refining a concept through feedback.
Learning area 6
Preparing and delivering a persuasive pitch.
Eight-session curriculum
A clear journey from first practice to final reflection.
An introductory term sequence. Register your interest to hear when classes open.
- Session 1
Discover the Opportunity
Students explore problems and opportunities and select an age-appropriate challenge.
- Session 2
Understand the Audience
Students investigate who experiences the problem and what they may need.
- Session 3
Develop the Idea
Students generate possible solutions and select a concept to investigate.
- Session 4
Define the Value Proposition
Students explain what their solution offers and why it may be useful.
- Session 5
Explore the Venture Model
Students identify key resources, activities and basic feasibility considerations.
- Session 6
Develop and Test the Concept
Students create an appropriate concept representation and gather educational feedback.
- Session 7
Build the Pitch
Students structure their presentation and practise communicating their concept.
- Session 8
Future Founders Showcase
Students deliver a final pitch and reflect on their learning.
Student project
The Future Founders Pitch
Candidate public-facing deliverables include a problem or opportunity statement, intended audience, proposed solution, value proposition, physical, visual, paper-based or digital concept representation, basic venture-model considerations, feedback summary, final pitch and individual reflection. The approved Phase 1 requirements remain authoritative wherever they differ. No AI-generated application, unsupported technology or real business launch is required.
Core skills and outcomes
Learning students can explain and apply.
Define an entrepreneurial opportunity
Understand an intended audience
Develop a proposed solution
Communicate a value proposition
Consider basic feasibility
Respond to appropriate feedback
Prepare and deliver a pitch
Reflect on entrepreneurial development
Your Credential Pathway
Learning that leads somewhere beyond attendance.
This course contributes towards the relevant Academy credential pathway. Students who complete the required learning and demonstrate the assessment standard may become eligible for certification.
- 01
Learn
Complete the Academy program.
- 02
Practise
Develop capability through challenges and guided activities.
- 03
Demonstrate
Complete an applied project or performance.
- 04
Assess
Complete the relevant practical assessment and/or certification examination.
- 05
Credential
Earn the relevant Innovate Forge Academy credential when requirements are successfully demonstrated.
Applied credential pathway
Credential opportunity
Future Founder
Assessment
Venture capstone: prototype, pitch and questions
Demonstrate
Create a problem statement, customer insight, solution, prototype, value proposition, basic business model and pitch — then respond to questions. No real company needs to be launched.
Next step
Entrepreneurship Capstone
Explore Certification Pathway- Pathway
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Current program
- Future Founders
- Assessment type
- Model D — Capstone · Venture capstone: prototype, pitch and questions
- Exam requirement
- No written exam required — recognition is based on demonstrated entrepreneurial thinking
- Prerequisite
- None — readiness and pathway requirements apply
- Next credential
- Entrepreneurship Capstone
Where can this learning lead?
- Course
- Innovation Challenges
- Prototype
- Pitch
- Future Founder Credential
- Entrepreneurship Capstone
Growth & Care approach
More than a course. A supported learning journey.
Coaching can support student-owned decisions and pitch reflection within the authoritative Phase 1 curriculum; mentoring and pastoral care remain subject to approved delivery and safeguarding arrangements. Phase 2 is not implemented.
The exact coaching, mentoring and pastoral-care practices included are confirmed for each program. An individually assigned mentor is not promised.
Explore our learning approachResponsible entrepreneurship
Educational simulation, not commercial pressure.
These courses develop thinking, communication and project capability. They do not promise profitable ventures, investment, guaranteed leadership outcomes or implemented solutions.
The Forge App
Continue learning with the Forge App.
Learning activities and project materials for this course are educator-led and do not rely on AI tools.
Existing approved Phase 1 learning activities
Existing project materials
Pitch reflection resources
Suggested learning journey
From curiosity to contribution.
This journey is flexible, not a mandatory prerequisite chain. Students may enter at an appropriate point based on age, interests and experience.
Enrolment Open
Young Leaders
Young Leaders supports teamwork, initiative and responsible leadership across the journey. It is not a mandatory prerequisite.
Explore Young LeadersForge learning support
Learning activities and project materials for this course are educator-led and do not rely on AI tools.
Available sessions
No Future Founders session is currently confirmed. Register your interest for approved dates, locations and delivery details.
View Term 1 2027 catalogueFees and enrolment
Fees, available places and enrolment arrangements have not been approved. Register your interest to receive confirmed information.
Register Your InterestFrequently asked
Course questions.
Who is this program suitable for?
Years 7–9 for the existing curriculum specification. This guidance requires curriculum approval. Developing entrepreneurial learners. Guidance is matched to learner age and experience. Educators can help families identify an appropriate entry point.
How are students grouped by age and experience?
Grouping is confirmed for each approved intake. Educators consider age, interests, previous experience and the complexity of the project.
What happens during a typical session?
The program combines guided inquiry, practical challenges, individual or team work, constructive feedback and reflection. Exact activities are adapted to the learner group.
Do students work individually or in teams?
The curriculum may include both individual and collaborative activities. Roles and expectations are adapted to age, strengths and the approved project.
What project will my child develop?
The Future Founders Pitch: Candidate public-facing deliverables include a problem or opportunity statement, intended audience, proposed solution, value proposition, physical, visual, paper-based or digital concept representation, basic venture-model considerations, feedback summary, final pitch and individual reflection. The approved Phase 1 requirements remain authoritative wherever they differ. No AI-generated application, unsupported technology or real business launch is required.
How does coaching support individual learning?
Educators use questions, encouragement, appropriate challenge and constructive feedback to support independent thinking rather than provide ready-made solutions. An individually assigned mentor is not promised.
Does the program require expensive equipment?
No equipment requirement is confirmed on this page. Approved materials, tools, device needs and safety arrangements are communicated for each intake before enrolment.
Do students need to establish a real business?
No. Venture work is an educational simulation. Students are not required to register a business, accept payments, make financial commitments or enter binding agreements.
Will students use AI?
The existing Phase 1 core is no-AI. This website update does not enable AI, and Phase 2 is not implemented.
How are student projects and personal information protected?
Public sharing, fundraising, external engagement and identifiable student material require appropriate adult approval, supervision and permission. Student intellectual property and authorship are respected.
Does completing this course guarantee confidence or business success?
No. Students receive opportunities to practise and reflect, but no confidence, leadership, commercial, investment or profitability outcome is guaranteed.
What program should my child take next?
Advanced Entrepreneurship, Student Venture Mastery, Digital Entrepreneurship and Individual Project Mentoring remain enquiry-only future possibilities, not approved or currently available courses.
Where and when are classes available?
No date, time, venue, trainer, capacity or commencement date is confirmed on this page. Register your interest to receive approved details.
Related courses
Continue the learning journey.
These are suggested routes, not mandatory prerequisites. Existing experience can support a different entry point.
Innovation, Leadership & Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
Explore how ideas become useful, sustainable ventures.
Years 6–10. The suggested year range is provisional and requires curriculum approval. Beginners welcome. Guidance is matched to learner age and experience.
Explore programInnovation, Leadership & Entrepreneurship
Design Thinking
Understand people, define challenges and prototype thoughtful solutions.
Years 3–9. The suggested year range is provisional and requires curriculum approval. Beginners welcome. Guidance is matched to learner age and experience.
Explore program
Communication & Leadership
Presentation Skills
Plan and deliver clear, engaging presentations.
Years 5–12. Guidance is matched to learner age and experience. Beginner to advanced.
Explore programCurriculum-connected
Curriculum & capability connections
Future Founders extends venture thinking — students develop, test and pitch an idea with guidance.
Practical skills and activities
- Validating an idea with potential users
- Building a simple prototype or plan
- Pitching and responding to questions
General capabilities
Critical and Creative ThinkingPersonal and Social CapabilityEthical Understanding
View Curriculum Connections
Australian Curriculum v9
- Technologies — Design and TechnologiesSupporting connectionInvestigating needs, generating and evaluating ideas, prototyping
- Humanities and Social SciencesSupporting connectionCommunity needs, economics and business thinking
Victorian Curriculum
- Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social, and Ethical capabilities (Victorian Curriculum 2.0)
- Design and Technologies — design processes
International references
- IB Approaches to Learning — thinking, communication and social skills
- IB Approaches to Learning — self-management and research skills
- ISTE Standards for Students — Innovative Designer
These connections show how the program complements school learning. They are not accreditation or endorsement by any curriculum authority, and participation does not replace school assessment. Schools can request a program-level mapping summary.
Developing capability, confidence, character and direction
Some students also benefit from a guide.
Coaching, mentoring and future-pathway conversations can help students turn interests into goals, projects and informed next steps.
Forge Discovery Starter Session
New to this learning area?
Not sure whether this program is the right starting point for your child? Explore our Forge Discovery Starter Session and discover an introductory learning experience relevant to your child's interests.
Interested in this program?
Tell us what your learner is curious about and we’ll help identify an appropriate next step.