Future Entrepreneurs Shine as Seton Hall’s Summer Program Concludes

High school students from across the region spent part of their summer bringing bold business ideas to life during Seton Hall University’s third annual Summer Entrepreneurship Institute. Hosted by the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies (CEPS) in partnership with the Greater Newark Enterprises Corporation (GNEC), the program ran from July 7–17, 2025, and offered students a hands-on introduction to entrepreneurship, small business startups and new product development.

For two weeks, participants engaged in interactive learning from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day, gaining practical skills while exploring how to turn innovative ideas into reality. Under the direction of Victor Salama, executive director of GNEC, students worked in teams to develop product prototypes during the first eight days of the program.

The Institute culminated in a fast-paced pitch competition on the ninth day, where students presented their business concepts continuously for 90 minutes to hundreds of guests. The pitches included a sound reducing carpet for apartment living, UV protective clothing for people with skin disorders and immune deficiencies, a refrigerator that runs on a battery powered generator for disaster prone areas, a line of natural hair products for people of color using AI technology to customize to one’s needs and more. Cash prizes were awarded to the top performing teams, highlighting the creativity and hard work of the participants.

Supported by Valley Bank and PSEG, the program also benefited from professional mentorship and resources provided by GNEC, a community development financial institution committed to supporting entrepreneurs since 2005. The University partnered with New City Kids in Jersey City to bring a cohort of students from underserved communities. Beyond teaching business fundamentals, the Summer Entrepreneurship Institute emphasized ethical and sustainable approaches to entrepreneurship, encouraging students to pursue innovation with lasting community impact.

As the program concluded, participants left with not only prototypes and business plans, but also the confidence and perspective to carry their entrepreneurial journeys forward.

Click here to learn more about the course and to enroll.