TFS Launches the Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Business Program
TFS is proud to mark the official launch of the Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Business (EIB) Program. This student-led initiative is designed to develop creativity, leadership and the real-world problem-solving skills young people need to succeed beyond the classroom.
The Origin of the EIB Program
The program began with an idea from two Senior School students at the time, now alumni, Ethan Bu ’25 and Josef Marshall ’25. Both had already experienced the highs and lows of starting their own businesses and they saw an opportunity to fill a gap that existed at the school. They sought to create a space where students could learn about entrepreneurship, not just in theory, but by actually building, testing, failing and trying again. Their vision was simple and ambitious: create a structure of support, mentorship and opportunity for the next generation of business leaders at TFS.
From the beginning, they understood that you can’t truly teach entrepreneurship from a textbook. You need immersion. You need mentors. You need space to take risks. That’s why the EIB team has brought together an incredible group of industry experts and TFS community members who will guide students as they turn ideas into ventures.One of those mentors, Justin Poy ’87, spoke at the launch and shared his journey from TFS student to founder of the Justin Poy Agency. His words captured the spirit of the program: “The EIB has the chance to change lives. If there had been a program like this when I was a student, it would have saved me years and years of heartache.”
The evening also featured Trent Mell, TFS parent and founder & CEO of Electra Battery Materials. He emphasized the program’s value as a place where students can stretch themselves: “The EIB provides a safe place to make mistakes — to learn resilience and to find solutions.”
Learning by Doing: How the EIB Program Works
The program unfolds in two phases. Phase one is an eight-week course, with each session taught by an expert guest lecturer who brings real-world case studies to the classroom. By the end of this first phase, students will have developed a complete business plan and earned a microcredential certification. Phase Two is the incubation stage. Here, students are paired with mentors, begin developing their first prototype and conduct user-testing. The program culminates in the Cougar’s Den, where students will pitch their ventures to a panel of investors and judges. First place will receive $10,000 in seed funding, and second place will be awarded $5,000.
Created and led by students, supported by faculty, the Foundation and industry mentors, the EIB program offers learners hands-on experience in entrepreneurship. It shows what’s possible when students identify a need and bring a community together to find a solution.
Reflecting on the launch, Head of School, Norman Gaudet shared that “today marks an extraordinary milestone in our school’s story because we are launching a program that I truly believe has the power to change lives.”
We’re eager to see all that our students will learn, build and accomplish in the months and years ahead.
