Tennessee Students Launch Real Businesses at New Center

High school students in Clarksville, Tennessee now have a place to build real businesses before they graduate, complete with professional equipment, mentor guidance, and pathways to startup funding.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System opened Founders Inc. this week at the newly renovated Burt Innovation Center. Juniors and seniors from across the district can now spend part of their school day learning to identify problems, build prototypes, and pitch their ideas to actual investors.

The two-year program starts with an incubator phase during junior year. Students research customer needs, develop prototypes, and prepare investor pitches even if they arrive without a business idea. During senior year, they shift into acceleration mode, focusing on company formation, marketing strategies, and scaling their ventures.

The facility itself reflects serious investment in student potential. Specialized studios include woodworking equipment, apparel production machines, podcast and video studios, and flexible presentation spaces. Students can access whatever tools their specific business idea requires, from sewing machines to media production gear.

Emily Butcher, a consulting teacher with Career and Technical Education, explained that students receive coaching from teachers, mentors, and local business professionals throughout the process. Top projects advance to national judging, with finalists competing in Chicago for real startup funding.

The program costs students nothing and includes transportation for those who need it. The district funded the renovation with approximately $11 million from Tennessee's Innovative School Models grant, with additional money supporting career labs at other schools.

The Ripple Effect

The building's transformation mirrors the opportunity it now provides. Burt High School originally opened in 1923 as the only public high school for Black students in Montgomery County during segregation. It was named after Dr. Robert T. Burt, a surgeon who founded Clarksville's first hospital and championed education access.

Director of Schools Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder noted the program continues Dr. Burt's legacy of creating opportunities. Rather than simply renovating the historic building, district leaders chose to honor its past by making it a launchpad for future entrepreneurs.

Students don't need previous business experience or a developed concept to apply. The collaborative, project-based approach means they learn by doing, receiving structured feedback and refining their products throughout the year.

Young entrepreneurs across Tennessee now have proof that their school district believes their ideas are worth serious investment.