- TiE Young Entrepreneurs · New Jersey
TYE Entrepreneurship Academy
Our mission: To inspire, challenge, and empower high school students to become the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.
- Oct 2026 – May 2027
- 14 Sundays · 10 AM – 3 PM
- Somerset, NJ
Apply for TYE 2026-27
Applications close Sept 30, 2026. Limited to 20 students.
Info session: Saturday, Oct 3, 11:00 AM on Zoom
A Global Program for Future Founders
The TYE Entrepreneurship Academy is a global program dedicated to fostering future generations of industry leaders by teaching high school students the rewards and challenges of becoming an entrepreneur. During the program, student teams utilize modern skills and tools to build a concept using customer feedback, iteration, and lightweight business models. The program is open to students in 8th-12th grade interested in entrepreneurship, STEM or business.
15+
Years of proven curriculum
8th–12th
Grades eligible to apply
Global
Path to the TYE Global Competition
What Every Student Gains
Build a real startup with a team
Participate in a rigorous business curriculum proven over 15+ years
Develop confidence and leadership skills
Learn directly from startup founders and industry experts
Collaborate with other students passionate about STEM
Connect with a dedicated mentor who will coach their team
Participate in professional development workshops around networking, professional correspondence, interviewing skills, LinkedIn, etc.
Compete for seed funding, a chance to present your pitch to real-life entrepreneurs at Rutgers Innovation Center, and an opportunity to represent New Jersey at the TYE Global Competition.
Finalists pitch at Middlesex Innovation Center for seed funding — and the first-place team represents New Jersey at the TYE Global Competition.
Fourteen Sundays. One Real Startup.
2026–27 Session Dates
Alternating Sundays, 10 AM – 3 PM · Cedar Hill Prep School, Somerset, NJ 08873
May 9
May 23
Finals
Oct 11
Oct 25
Nov 8
Nov 22
Jan 17
Jan 31
Feb 14
Feb 28
Mar 7
Mar 21
Apr 11
Apr 25
Who should apply : any 8th–12th grade student interested in entrepreneurship, STEM, or business.
Each student must register and pay individually. After the first 20 slots are filled, applicants join a wait list. The fee includes a complimentary five-year TiE New Jersey membership for students who successfully complete the program.
TYE is a rigorous program that requires commitment: any student who misses the first two sessions, or more than three total sessions, will no longer be able to participate. Fees, once paid, are non-refundable.
$1,750
Includes all learning materials
Info Session: Oct 3 · 11:00 AM (Zoom)
Application deadline: Sept 30, 2026
Behind TYE New Jersey 2026–27
Dr. Nandini Menon
Lead Instructor
Chief Education Officer, Serial Entrepreneur, Product Designer, Sustainability Changemaker, Formulator.
Raj Shah
Co-Chair & Mentorship Chair
Principal at Charles River Development (A State Street Company). Investment management technology leader with 15+ years across fintech, operations and entrepreneurship.
Buvana Radhakrishnan
Lead Instructor
Data Management & Governance, Analytics, AI Governance Practitioner. A product innovator committed to digital solutions that drive societal impact.
Priya Karthik
Co-Chair & Mentorship Chair
Leadership & Communication Coach and Founder of Enspire Academy NJ.
- Syamala Suren · Program Coordinator
- Raman Kapur · TiE NJ Board Member
- Diya Mathews · TiE NJ President
Learn From Founders Who've Done It
To supplement our workshops and to inspire the rising entrepreneurs in our program, we invite a number of founders to speak on the challenges and triumphs of founding a company!
Lata Setty
VC, Angel Investor, LegalTech Pioneer, Serial Entrepreneur, Board Member, Patent Litigator.
Raj Lakhanpal, MD
Entrepreneur, Clinician, Thought Leader. CEO of SpectraMedix.
Ashok Krish
Founder & CEO of Kaizen Secure Voiz, Yale alum, EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Finalist, Board Member TiE NJ.
Aruna Dontabhaktuni
Entrepreneur, Innovator, Scientist, Investor. Pharma & biotech consultant with 30+ years in drug development.
Kirthika Parmeswaran
CEO of Vital Start. AI and XR-enhanced employee and family wellbeing.
Avani Modi Sarkar
Inc Female Founders 100, Forbes Next 1000 Honoree, EY Entrepreneur of the Year NJ Finalist, Tory Burch Fellow.
Vinod Borsadiya
Founder & CEO of NasalRx — innovative nasal sprays and smart digital health platforms. Serial entrepreneur in HealthTech and MedTech.
Suresh U. Kumar
Entrepreneur, Professor, Author, Commissioner of the NJ-India Commission, Ex-President & Board Member TiE New Jersey.
Guided Every Step of the Way
Participants are encouraged to reach out to all workshop leaders and guest speakers to support their individual development and the growth of their startup. Along with these individuals, each startup is paired with a mentor who works with the team to get ready for the final competition.
Our mentors are incredible people who not only understand all the components of building a startup, they also care about creating a supportive learning environment for young people!
Are you a business professional interested in becoming a TYE mentor? Sign up to receive more information.
The New Jersey Competition
At the end of each program cycle, the teams pitch their startups in front of a panel of investors. They not only have the chance to demo their product and services but they also have a but they also have the chance to win seed funding! The 1st Place team from New Jersey is invited to compete against their peers from Australia, India, Canada and other US cities at the TYE Global Competition held each summer!