The Foundry Lab is a hands on entrepreneurship experience designed for curious teens who enjoy thinking creatively, solving problems, and exploring real-world ideas.
Located in the heart of Old Town Orange, students will spend the week studying local businesses, exploring the Orange Circle, and identifying opportunities for new ideas within one of Southern California’s most historic small business districts.
Throughout the week students will:
• Explore real businesses around the Orange Circle (3 Walkable Field Trips)
• Observe what can make a businesses successful
• Identify opportunities in a real marketplace
• Explore a business idea that would add value to the district
• Present their concept in The Forum
The week concludes with The Forum, where students share their ideas and insights with peers in a supportive, discussion-based setting.
The Foundry Lab is designed as a preview of the Foundry & Forum programs launching this fall, where students will continue building entrepreneurial thinking, communication skills, and real-world creativity.
For more than 150 years, the Orange Circle has been a place where entrepreneurs opened storefronts, served their community, and built lasting businesses. The Foundry Lab invites students to step into that tradition—studying the district, exploring its businesses, and imagining what ideas might belong here next.
Fall Schedule Preview
The Foundry - Wednesdays | 9am to 12pm | Creative Commons 1-3pm
In The Foundry, students gain hands on, real world experience in essential
business and professional skills. From mastering Google Workspace and
crafting standout résumés to learning marketing strategies and building
networks, The Foundry equips students with practical tools to thrive. Each
session blends actionable skill building with real life scenarios, ensuring
students walk away ready to navigate professional environments, take on
leadership roles, and confidently step into their future ventures.
The Forum - Fridays | 9am to 12pm | Creative Commons 1-3pm
The Forum is where entrepreneurial ideas take flight. Each week, students
tackle hands on business or entrepreneurial objectives, applying their
creativity and critical thinking to real-world challenges. Once a month, a guest
speaker, (an experienced entrepreneur) joins us to share their journey and
insights. Students engage in Q&A, making connections between their own
projects and the wisdom of real world practitioners. It’s a dynamic blend of
doing and learning, inspiring students to shape their own entrepreneurial
paths.
The Foundry Lab is a hands on entrepreneurship experience designed for curious teens who enjoy thinking creatively, solving problems, and exploring real-world ideas.
Located in the heart of Old Town Orange, students will spend the week studying local businesses, exploring the Orange Circle, and identifying opportunities for new ideas within one of Southern California’s most historic small business districts.
Throughout the week students will:
• Explore real businesses around the Orange Circle (3 Walkable Field Trips)
• Observe what can make a businesses successful
• Identify opportunities in a real marketplace
• Explore a business idea that would add value to the district
• Present their concept in The Forum
The week concludes with The Forum, where students share their ideas and insights with peers in a supportive, discussion-based setting.
The Foundry Lab is designed as a preview of the Foundry & Forum programs launching this fall, where students will continue building entrepreneurial thinking, communication skills, and real-world creativity.
For more than 150 years, the Orange Circle has been a place where entrepreneurs opened storefronts, served their community, and built lasting businesses. The Foundry Lab invites students to step into that tradition—studying the district, exploring its businesses, and imagining what ideas might belong here next.
Fall Schedule Preview
The Foundry - Wednesdays | 9am to 12pm | Creative Commons 1-3pm
In The Foundry, students gain hands on, real world experience in essential
business and professional skills. From mastering Google Workspace and
crafting standout résumés to learning marketing strategies and building
networks, The Foundry equips students with practical tools to thrive. Each
session blends actionable skill building with real life scenarios, ensuring
students walk away ready to navigate professional environments, take on
leadership roles, and confidently step into their future ventures.
The Forum - Fridays | 9am to 12pm | Creative Commons 1-3pm
The Forum is where entrepreneurial ideas take flight. Each week, students
tackle hands on business or entrepreneurial objectives, applying their
creativity and critical thinking to real-world challenges. Once a month, a guest
speaker, (an experienced entrepreneur) joins us to share their journey and
insights. Students engage in Q&A, making connections between their own
projects and the wisdom of real world practitioners. It’s a dynamic blend of
doing and learning, inspiring students to shape their own entrepreneurial
paths.
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