The High School Innovation Lab
Rising CEOs
Leadership and entrepreneurship development for youth ages 14–19, building technology, business, and leadership skills.
Every great business begins with an idea, and every entrepreneur begins by taking the first step. Rising CEOs equips ambitious high school students with the entrepreneurial mindset, leadership skills, and professional network needed to transform innovative ideas into real opportunities. Whether students dream of launching a startup, growing a family business, creating a nonprofit, or exploring entrepreneurship for the first time, Rising CEOs provides a pathway to turn vision into action.
Why Rising CEOs
Closing the gap between big ideas and real opportunity.
Too many talented young people have innovative ideas but limited access to entrepreneurial education, experienced mentors, professional networks, and startup resources. The MAC Foundation created Rising CEOs to help close those opportunity gaps by providing students with meaningful experiences that build leadership, strengthen business knowledge, and prepare them for long-term success.
Our goal is simple: empower young people to create opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities through entrepreneurship and leadership.
The Experience
A 10-week entrepreneurship & leadership accelerator
Rising CEOs is a 10-week entrepreneurship and leadership accelerator that meets once each week. Students work alongside local entrepreneurs, business professionals, educators, and community leaders. Participants will:
Business Development
Modern Strategy & AI
Mentorship & Network
The Pitch
An Immersive Alternative
Rising CEOs Summer Sprint
For students seeking a more immersive experience, the Rising CEOs Summer Sprint delivers the same proven curriculum in an intensive two-week format — focused instruction, daily collaboration, and hands-on business development.
In our inaugural Summer Sprint × Girls Inc. of Omaha cohort, a powerful group of girls developed businesses from the ground up, equipped with AI tools, hands-on business modeling, and direct access to mentors.
"When you give a girl the right resources, she doesn't just build a side hustle — she builds an empire."
Success Story
Kelsey Herrera, 2025 Rising CEOs Champion
"Rising CEOs challenges, connects, and grows you in ways that are always worth it."
In the 2025 cohort, young entrepreneurs launched ventures ranging from childcare services and sustainable jewelry to food delivery, mentoring, and photography. For Kelsey, the program provided more than $500 in startup funding for ParentKind — but more importantly, it offered the confidence, mentorship, and connections to turn an idea into action.
Is Rising CEOs Right for You?
Ages 14–19. No experience required.
Rising CEOs is designed for high school students who are curious, motivated, and ready to develop new skills — no previous business experience necessary, just a willingness to learn, collaborate, and turn ideas into action.
Beyond the program
A community that keeps growing
Graduating from Rising CEOs is only the beginning. Participants become part of the MAC Foundation’s growing network of entrepreneurs, mentors, business leaders, and community partners committed to expanding economic opportunity throughout Nebraska.
Students leave with more than a business plan — they gain confidence, leadership experience, professional relationships, and a community that continues to support their growth long after graduation.
Don't wait for graduation to build something real.
Whether you already have a business idea or are just beginning to explore entrepreneurship, Rising CEOs provides the guidance, mentorship, and resources to help you take the next step.
Every great business begins with an idea, and every entrepreneur begins by taking the first step. Rising CEOs equips ambitious high school students with the entrepreneurial mindset, leadership skills, and professional network needed to transform innovative ideas into real opportunities. Whether students dream of launching a startup, growing a family business, creating a nonprofit, or exploring entrepreneurship for the first time, Rising CEOs provides a pathway to turn vision into action.