Students with an entrepreneurial bent can apply for a summer intensive learning experience through Nalukai Academy’s Summer Startup Camp, which will be held in-person on the Big Island July 7-17, 2022. The event is sponsored by the Nalukai Foundation, an organization that encourages Hawaii teenagers to become social leaders.

The camp is a free social, cultural, leadership, technology entrepreneurship and design program, Nalukai Foundation Executive Director David Clarke said in an email. 

“Each student is provided with guidance from industry leaders, innovative educators, and cultural practitioners who help students craft their own startups and pitch their ideas to an audience of venture capitalists, peers, and local business owners at the end of the camp,” he said.  “Best of all, when students are accepted into the camp (via a thorough application), the costs of the program are covered by a full scholarship.”

If that is not enticing enough, Clarke said all students will receive a laptop that they will be able to take home after camp in order to equip the students with a powerful tool to help them build out the businesses they conceptualize while they are at Nalukai.

Moanalua High School seniors Ruimin Lin and Gordon Sheen, and alumna Taerang Bae have participated in the last few years.

“It redefined the word “entrepreneur” for me, and it inspired me to pursue a career that will benefit the community and bring fulfillment to my life,” she said. 

The application can be accessed at nalukai.org. Applications (and a recommendation) are due by April 18, 2022.