Inspiring the Next Generation of Student Entrepreneurs

Preparing students for college is an important goal for many schools. At Spring Education Group, the mission goes further—equipping students with the mindset, skills, and confidence to transform bold ideas into innovations that can shape the future.

That vision comes to life through Startups@Spring, a network-wide incubator and competition that invites middle and high school students to experience the full journey of entrepreneurship—from identifying a problem and developing a solution to pitching their ideas to industry leaders.

Now in its third year, the program combines academic rigor with real-world entrepreneurial thinking. Student teams collaborate to research markets, design innovative products, and build compelling business pitches—culminating in a live competition judged by experienced technology and business leaders.

Originally launched through BASIS Independent Schools, Startups@Spring was created in response to growing interest from students and families eager for deeper opportunities to explore entrepreneurship and innovation.

“We want our students to discover as early as possible that they can build their own things and impact the world,” says Michael Collins, CEO of Spring Education Group.

Turning Ideas into Real Solutions

Each year, the competition centers around a theme designed to encourage students to explore emerging technologies and their potential impact on society.

This year’s theme focused on Artificial Intelligence, challenging students to imagine new ways AI could improve everyday life.

Students from 10 high schools and 21 middle schools across the Spring Education Group network participated, presenting solutions to real-world challenges in areas such as healthcare, sustainability, and education technology.

Our first place middle school team from Stratford Pleasanton developed an AI-powered recycling assistant designed to help users correctly sort waste and reduce contamination in recycling streams. The high school winning team from BASIS Independent McLean proposed an AI-driven surgical modeling system that could help doctors plan complex procedures with greater precision.

These ideas demonstrated not only creativity, but also a thoughtful understanding of real problems and how emerging technologies can help address them.

Learning From Industry Leaders

Finalist teams presented their ideas to an accomplished panel of judges that included leaders from technology, venture capital, and academia.

This year’s judges included:

• Craig Martell, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Lockheed Martin
• Rebecca Lin, CEO of ToroBio
• Amrit Saxena, Founder and CEO of SaxeCap and a Silicon Valley angel investor
• Ken Snyder, Executive Director of the Shingo Institute at Utah State University
• J Provine, CEO and Co-Founder of Aligned Carbon

Judges evaluated each team based on creativity, feasibility, market potential, and the clarity of their presentations.

Winning teams received cash prizes and chose to donate their winnings to charitable causes—reflecting the program’s broader emphasis on innovation with purpose.

This Year’s Winning Teams

High School

• First Place: BASIS Independent McLean
• Second Place: Laurel Springs School
• Third Place: Stratford Preparatory Milpitas

Middle School

• First Place: Stratford Pleasanton
• Second Place: Stratford Mission Viejo
• Third Place: BASIS Independent Manhattan

Building Future Innovators

Programs like Startups@Spring help students develop the mindset needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world—encouraging creativity resilience, collaboration, and leadership.

By exploring entrepreneurship early, students gain valuable experience turning ideas into tangible solutions while developing confidence in their ability to solve meaningful problems.

More than just a competition, Startups@Spring serves as a launchpad for the next generation of innovators, empowering students across the Spring Education Group network to think boldly, experiment creatively, and build ideas that could shape the future.

Discover the Spring Education Group Difference

At Spring Education Group schools, curiosity, innovation, and academic excellence go hand in hand. Programs like Startups@Spring provide students with opportunities to apply their learning in meaningful ways while developing the skills needed to succeed in college and beyond.

Learn more about Spring Education Group schools and how we help students turn ideas into impact.