Programs

Designed for women and girls, this entrepreneurial summit connects female entrepreneurs at all levels of expertise with guest speakers from a myriad of industries and backgrounds. Participants attend workshops, buy and sell products and services at the Marketplace, have the opportunity to network, build their skill sets, and learn from experts during keynote sessions. A pre-summit Community Luncheon with a celebrity speaker is also an option.

Created for middle- and high-school girls, this conference empowers girls to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams through hands-on experience and mentorship, as well as inspiration from other successful entrepreneurs. The community is invited to attend #girlpreneur workshops, parent workshops, a Girls’ Marketplace where girls sell their products and services, and to watch teams of girls pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges for a cash prize. The curriculum includes:

• 24Hour Generator—teams of girls are formed from public and private schools across the region. They are presented with a problem a local business is experiencing and with the help of a mentor, collaborate on ideas to solve it. They spend 24 hours developing and testing solutions before making a final pitch as a team to a panel of judges for a cash prize. It is an intense but life-changing experience as girls broaden their networks, gain new skills, and see what’s possible!
• Girls’ Marketplace—in a marketplace setting, girls display and sell their products and services to event attendees. It’s a great way for girls to learn the ins and outs of product packaging and presentation, and booth preparation. Judges award a cash prize to the girl-owned business with the all-around strongest presentation.
• Entrepreneur Workshops—Local women entrepreneurs talk about their challenges and successes and share tips for thriving as a #girlpreneur—or the parent of a #girlpreneur—on the day of the event.

In partnership with the Company Lab and the Public Education Foundation, MBD developed a three-week, interdisciplinary for-credit summer course for high-school girls. During the placemaking course, girls from a cross-section of public and private schools meet with government representatives, heads of local organizations, designers, and social entrepreneurs to better understand local problems and challenges. At the conclusion of the course, each team of girls delivers a public prospectus for a problem they have observed to a panel of business and community leaders. Participants see long-range benefits as they expand their personal networks, learn about different perspectives, and gain a new set of life-long skills.

For more information about licensing any or all three of the components of the Mad, Bad, and Dangerous curriculum, Lauren Hayes, MBD Program Director, at info@getyourmbd.com.