DCSTW26 - NEXTGENPRENEUR Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Weekend
About this Event
NEXTGENPRENEUR DAY 2026
BUILD • CREATE • LEAD
Two days. Big ideas. Real-world experiences. A weekend designed to give middle and high school girls the space to build, create, lead and discover what’s possible.
In partnership with DC Startup & Tech Week, NEXTGENPRENEUR Day 2026 brings students together in Alexandria, Virginia for a high-energy Youth Entrepreneurship & Innovation Weekend.
Designed for middle & high school girls ages 11–18 • Boys are welcome to attend.
And this isn’t another sit-and-listen youth conference.
Participation is the point.
Students will get hands-on with entrepreneurship, innovation, AI and leadership through experiences designed to get them thinking, creating, collaborating and putting ideas into action.
WHAT THEY’LL EXPERIENCE:
Saturday, October 17th:
BUILD-A-THON
Students will work together to build AI-powered solutions, putting creativity, problem solving, technology and teamwork into action.
AI LAB
Get hands-on with AI and discover new ways to use emerging technology to create, solve and build.
HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS
Learn from entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders through interactive sessions designed to develop skills that extend beyond the classroom.
PARENT WORKSHOPS
Sunday, October 18th, 2026:
FEATURED KEYNOTE: THE MAYOR OF ALEXANDRIA
A centerpiece of the weekend, the Mayor of Alexandria will join us for a special keynote and inspiring conversation on leadership, innovation, opportunity and the future.
Young people will have a rare opportunity to hear from, engage with and learn directly from a leader shaping their community.
YOUTH PITCH COMPETITION
Young founders and aspiring entrepreneurs take the stage to pitch their businesses and business ideas to a panel of judges and compete for prizes.
YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR MARKETPLACE
Young business owners and creators can showcase and sell their products while gaining real-world entrepreneurial experience.
PANEL SESSIONS WITH YOUNG FOUNDERS AND EXPERTS
CURIOUS? COME EXPLORE. ALREADY BUILDING? BRING IT.
Some students will arrive already running businesses, developing ideas or building projects.
Others may be curious about entrepreneurship, AI, technology, leadership or innovation but haven’t figured out exactly what they want to pursue yet.
Both belong in the room.
Students do not need to own a business or arrive with the next big idea. NEXTGENPRENEUR Day is designed to give young people the opportunity to explore what’s possible while actually doing something with what they learn.
PARENTS & GUARDIANS, THIS WEEKEND IS FOR YOU TOO.
The world young people are preparing to enter is changing quickly.
Academic achievement matters. But so does the ability to communicate ideas, solve problems, use emerging technology, take initiative, build relationships and create opportunities.
NEXTGENPRENEUR Day gives parents and guardians an opportunity to expose young people to these skills, people and environments now.
Parents and guardians will also have opportunities to participate in dedicated conversations, connect with one another and learn more about supporting young people as they navigate entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation and opportunities beyond the classroom.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
NEXTGENPRENEUR Day is designed with middle and high school girls ages 11–18 at the center of the experience.
Come curious.
Come with an idea.
Come already building.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
ALREADY BUILDING SOMETHING?
Good. Bring it.
Students who are already developing businesses, products or ventures can take their experience further by applying for the Youth Pitch Competition and/or Youth Entrepreneur Marketplace.
Participation in these opportunities requires registration for the DCSTW NEXTGENPRENEUR Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Summit. Additional application and selection requirements apply.
Saturday, October 17, 2026
10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Sunday, October 18, 2026
11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Alexandria, Virginia
Middle & High School-Aged Students | Ages 11–18
WHAT WILL YOU BUILD NEXT?
Sometimes one room, one conversation or one opportunity can expand what a young person believes is possible for themselves.
Let this be one of those rooms.
About DC Startup and Tech Week:
DC Startup & Tech Week (DCSTW) is the mid-atlantic's largest entrepreneurship and innovation conference, uniting founders, investors and ecosystem leaders to catalyze growth, partnership and investment throughout the DMV and beyond. Learn more at dcstw.com
ABOUT NEXTGENPRENEUR
NEXTGENPRENEUR prepares middle and high school girls to lead, build and thrive beyond the classroom through entrepreneurship, leadership, financial literacy, AI and hands-on learning.
This weekend brings that mission to life through a weekend where young people aren’t simply told what’s possible.
They get to experience it.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 62.67 to USD 535.38
