Summer 2026 Youth in Business Series: NextGen Founders

This series offers youth interested in entrepreneurship the soft skills, tools and support to turn ideas into action.
About this Event

HCEDA’s Youth in Business Series is an engaging, 5-week initiative designed to inspire and equip young minds (ages 16-24) with the skills, mindset and confidence to become future entrepreneurs.

Through interactive workshops, panel discussions with experts and real-world business challenges, participants will explore the fundamentals of entrepreneurship—from ideation and business planning to marketing, budgeting, and pitching.

Whether you're dreaming of launching your own startup or just want to learn how to think like an entrepreneur, this series offers the tools and support to turn ideas into action.

Sign up for one or all presentations! LUNCH IS PROVIDED!

Thank you to our supporting partners:

• HC Office of Workforce Development
• Howard County Public School System
• Howard Community College
• Howard County Library System
• Maryland Business Opportunity Center
• Maryland Innovation Center Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs)

Each Friday, there will be guest speakers presenting on two topics each week! Here is the tentative schedule of topics (subject to change):

Week 1: 7/10/2026

• Topic 1: Goal Setting (Assessing Your Strengths & Weaknesses
• Topic 2: Building Your Personal Brand

Week 2: 7/17/2026

• Topic 1: Navigating a MultiGen Workplace
• Topic 2: Being an Entrepreneur

Week 3: 7/24/2026

• Topic 1: HCEDA Business Finance 101
• Topic 2: Finding Your Voice

Week 4: 7/31/2026

• Topic 1: Time Management
• Topic 2: Careers in STEM

Week 5: 8/7/2026

• Entrepreneur Panel
• Professional Headshots

Interested in being a sponsor, contact us at [email protected]!

7/10/2026

🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Goals Setting / Strengths and Weaknesses
Host: Helen Rose, Howard Community College
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Building Your Personal Brand
Host: Keyara Stephenson, Howard Community College
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
LUNCH
7/17/2026

🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Navigating a Multi-Generational Workplace
Host: Hina Naseem, Howard County Public School System
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Being an Entrepreneur
Host: Justin Shaw, Maryland Innovation Center
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
LUNCH
7/24/2026

🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
HCEDA Business Finance 101
Host: Darshni Patel, HCEDA
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Finding Your Voice
Host: Kierra Kimmie, HCEDA
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
LUNCH
7/31/2026

🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Time Management
Host: Kechi A, Rescue 1 Youth Club
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Youth in STEM
Host: Janear Garrus, Spartek Academy
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
LUNCH
8/7/2026

🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Entrepreneur Panel Discussion
Host: TBD
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Capstone Presentations & Professional Headshots
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
LUNCH