Fall 2026 Cohort
10 weeks.
1 idea.
1 business.
A 10-week after-school entrepreneurship experience for teens 14–18. Turn a real idea into a real business, learn from working entrepreneurs, and pitch for cash and prizes.
Duration
10 weeks: Aug 27 - Oct 29
Thursdays
4:30 – 6:30 PM
Location
UNO CEC
Presented at the Rising CEOs Live Business Pitch Finale. Plus up to $1,500 in-kind and additional recognition awards available.
From idea to business to pitch
About the Program
Rising CEOs is the MAC Foundation's flagship youth entrepreneurship program, run in partnership with the Midlands African Chamber.
Over 10 weeks, participants take an idea from concept to business — building a brand, understanding their customer, writing a business plan, and preparing for a live pitch competition.
No prior business experience is required. Just bring an idea, curiosity, and the willingness to do the work.
It's a chance for young people to build something, test it, pitch it, and see what happens when someone believes their idea can become a business.
Day & time
Duration
Location
Cohort
Culmination
Prizes
10 weeks · real skills · real business
LET THEM COOK. 🔥
Every session builds toward the pitch — from the first spark of an idea to standing in front of judges.
Entrepreneurship Fundamentals
Understand how businesses work and what it takes to turn an idea into an opportunity.
Business Development
Define a problem, identify a customer, develop a solution, and build a business model around it.
Branding & Marketing
Create a brand identity and learn how to communicate the value of a business to the people who matter most: customers.
Money & Financial Literacy
Learn the basics of pricing, costs, revenue, profit, and what it takes to make a business sustainable.
Pitch Training
Learn how to tell the story behind a business, build a compelling pitch, and confidently present in front of an audience.
Leadership Development
Build communication, confidence, critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills that extend far beyond entrepreneurship.
Mentor Network
Direct connection to entrepreneurs and business professionals who provide feedback, perspective, encouragement, and real-world insight throughout the 10 weeks.
The Rising CEOs Challenge
Build it. Brand it. Pitch it.
The 10-week experience culminates in a live business pitch competition in front of judges, mentors, family, and community supporters — and yes, there's money on the line.
Who should apply
You don't need to have it
all figured out.
Rising CEOs is for young people who are curious about entrepreneurship and ready to turn an idea into action. Participants may:
- Already have a business
- Have a business idea they’ve been thinking about
- Want to start a business but don’t know where to begin
- Love creating, making, selling, designing, or solving problems
- Be interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, or innovation
- Simply be ready to try something new
The ideal Rising CEO is:
Curious
Asks questions and wants to understand how things work.
Sees possibilities and isn't afraid to think differently.
Driven
Willing to show up, do the work, and keep going.
Ready to grow
Understands that becoming a CEO starts with learning.
What you'll leave with
Tangible proof of the work, not just a certificate of attendance.
01
A business concept
A clearly defined idea built around a real customer, problem, and solution.
02
A business plan
A practical roadmap covering customer, value proposition, and basic operations.
03
A brand
The foundation for how the business looks, feels, and talks to customers.
04
A Pitch Deck
A professional presentation that communicates the business with confidence.
05
Entrepreneurial skills
Financial literacy, communication, problem-solving, and marketing.
06
A CEO mindset
The confidence to see yourselves as creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
Why entrepreneurship matters
It's not just about
starting a business.
It's about learning how to identify problems, create solutions, communicate ideas, manage money, take calculated risks, and believe you have the power to create something that didn't exist before.
That's why the MAC Foundation built Rising CEOs in partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation's FastTrac program and Google.
We don't just want young people to dream about becoming CEOs. We want to give them a place to practice.
This is your opportunity
Ready to become a Rising CEO?
You've got the idea. We've got the space, tools, mentors, and platform. Now let's see what you can build.
ABOUT
MAC Foundation
The MAC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to empowering young people and communities through entrepreneurship, leadership development, workforce development, and economic opportunity.
Rising CEOs is our flagship youth entrepreneurship program.
We believe the next generation of entrepreneurs isn’t waiting to grow up.
They’re already here.
They just need someone to give them a shot.