Innovate ForgeAcademy
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Innovation, Leadership & Entrepreneurship

Future Founders

From a promising idea to a compelling pitch. Develop a concept, understand its audience and deliver a persuasive pitch.

Proposed curriculumEntrepreneurship & Future Readiness · Create & Contribute
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Programme description

From a promising idea to a compelling pitch.

Future Founders is a project-based entrepreneurship programme 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 programme 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 proposed 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.

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.

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.

Proposed 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.

01

Learning area 1

Identifying and defining a meaningful opportunity.

02

Learning area 2

Understanding audiences, customers and user needs.

03

Learning area 3

Developing a clear value proposition.

04

Learning area 4

Exploring an appropriate venture or solution model.

05

Learning area 5

Developing and refining a concept through feedback.

06

Learning area 6

Preparing and delivering a persuasive pitch.

Proposed eight-session curriculum

A clear journey from first practice to final reflection.

This introductory term sequence is proposed and pending founder curriculum approval.

  1. Session 1

    Discover the Opportunity

    Students explore problems and opportunities and select an age-appropriate challenge.

  2. Session 2

    Understand the Audience

    Students investigate who experiences the problem and what they may need.

  3. Session 3

    Develop the Idea

    Students generate possible solutions and select a concept to investigate.

  4. Session 4

    Define the Value Proposition

    Students explain what their solution offers and why it may be useful.

  5. Session 5

    Explore the Venture Model

    Students identify key resources, activities and basic feasibility considerations.

  6. Session 6

    Develop and Test the Concept

    Students create an appropriate concept representation and gather educational feedback.

  7. Session 7

    Build the Pitch

    Students structure their presentation and practise communicating their concept.

  8. 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

Proposed 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 approach

Responsible 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.

Forge Learning App

Potential support between sessions.

Only existing approved Phase 1 no-AI learning activities and project materials may support this course. Phase 1 is recorded as Ready for Internal UAT, not approved for a learner pilot or public launch. Phase 2 functionality is not implemented, and this website update does not modify the learning application or enable AI.

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 Leaders

Forge learning support

Only existing approved Phase 1 no-AI learning activities and project materials may support this course. Phase 1 is recorded as Ready for Internal UAT, not approved for a learner pilot or public launch. Phase 2 functionality is not implemented, and this website update does not modify the learning application or enable AI.

Available sessions

No Future Founders session is currently confirmed. Register your interest for approved dates, locations and delivery details.

View proposed Term 1 catalogue

Fees and enrolment

Fees, available places and enrolment arrangements have not been approved. Register your interest to receive confirmed information.

Register Your Interest

Frequently asked

Course questions.

Who is this programme 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 proposed project.

What happens during a typical session?

The proposed programme 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 programme 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 programme 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.

Students collaborating on an age-appropriate innovation project

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 program
Students collaborating on an age-appropriate innovation project

Innovation, 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
Students participating in a guided communication activity

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 program

Draft review notes

  • Obtain the authoritative Phase 1 curriculum and reconcile every public session, activity, project and outcome before approval.
  • Complete separate internal UAT, learner-pilot and publication approvals. Phase 2 must remain described as not implemented.
  • Confirm delivery, educators, Forge access, dates, locations, fees, capacity and safeguarding arrangements before offering a session.

Interested in this program?

Tell us what your learner is curious about and we’ll help identify an appropriate next step.

Register Your Interest