Student-Led Business

Microgrant Application

Enabling K-12 schools to build regional employer partnerships and launch student-led businesses by fall of 2027

The Student-Led Business Microgrants will help up to eight schools launch new student-led businesses, giving students valuable real-world experience while strengthening employer partnerships and career-connected learning opportunities.

Grant Opportunity

This grant helps schools without a student-led business launch high-quality, sustainable programs that meet Indiana work-based learning requirements, build student skills, and strengthen industry and community partnerships.

Eligibility

Eligible models include School-Based Enterprises and Workplace Simulations, as recognized by the Indiana Department of Education. Ascend Indiana will support selected schools through regular implementation check-ins as they plan, develop, and launch their student-led businesses.

Application

Application deadline: October 31, 2026

Priority consideration: Schools planning to launch their SLB by September 2027

Funding distribution: Awardees will receive funds at the beginning of Q2 2027

Download Application
Submit Application

 

Questions?

The Ascend team would be happy to answer any questions you may have as you fill out the application.

Email [email protected] for assistance.

Student-Led Businesses

A student-led business is a real or simulated enterprise that is designed, managed, and operated primarily by students. Learn more about the types of student-led businesses, access the Student-Led Business Toolkit, and read the report, “The Case for Student-Led Businesses.” 

Learn More

Central Intermediaries

Aspire Johnson County

Supports work-based learning by linking schools and more than 165 local employers to create hands-on opportunities that help students explore and pursue regional career pathways.
Counties Served: Johnson, Marion
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Central Indiana Educational Service Center (CIESC)

Partners with districts, educators, and students to provide high quality, sustainable services that enhance academic achievement and operational efficiencies.
Counties Served: Hamilton, Hendricks, Marion
Supporting: Schools
Visit Website
Contact

East Central Educational Service Center (ECESC)

Provides regional coordination, tools, and training to help schools implement consistent and high-quality work-based learning programs.
Counties Served: Bartholomew, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hancock, Henry, Johnson, Madison, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Union, Wayne
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Eastern Indiana Works (EIW)

Engages employers, offers workforce insights, and partners with schools to expand student access to work-based learning experiences.
Counties Served: Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, Union, Wayne
Supporting: Employers
Visit Website
Contact

EmployIndy

Located in Indianapolis, EmployIndy develops career-connected learning systems in Marion County by coordinating employer engagement, work-based learning programming, and youth career pathways.
Counties Served: Marion
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Greater Lafayette Commerce and Economic Development Foundation

Builds connections between schools and employers to expand high-quality work-based learning, coordinate meaningful career experiences, and strengthen pathways from education to employment.
Counties Served: Benton, Carroll, Fountain, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, Warren, White
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce

Serves as a bridge between businesses and schools to promote internships, employer partnerships, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Counties Served: Delaware
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Hendricks College Network (HCN)

Connects schools, employers, and community partners—facilitating ongoing collaborations, coordinating a range of employer involvement opportunities, and providing support to help schools track and manage work-based learning experiences.
Counties Served: Hendricks
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Invest Hamilton County

Works with employers and schools to connect schools and students to employers offering high-quality work-based learning experiences.
Counties Served: Hamilton
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce

Leads countywide coordination of work-based learning by unifying schools, employers, and partners to streamline student placements and employer onboarding.
Counties Served: Wayne
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Southern Intermediaries

E-REP (Evansville Regional Economic Partnership)

Connects schools, employers, and community partners to expand high-quality work-based learning opportunities, strengthen employer engagement, and support students in exploring and preparing for careers.
Counties Served: Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce

Connects local employers with schools to encourage internships, career exploration, and collaborative work-based learning initiatives.
Counties Served: Monroe
Supporting: Employers
Visit Website
Contact

Hub19

Connects high school students and schools with local employers through career exploration, internships, and hands-on work-based learning experiences.
Counties Served: Dubois
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI)

Located in Bloomington, ROI helps schools and employers throughout their region understand evolving requirements, building partner capacity, fostering regional connections, and coordinating programs that offer students meaningful career-aligned experiences.
Counties Served: Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, Washington
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Southern Indiana Education Center (SIEC)

Supports educators through training, resources, and collaboration structures that help schools and employers organize work-based learning.
Counties Served: Clay, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Warrick
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Southern Indiana Works (SIW, Workforce Region 10)

Engages employers and develops talent initiatives that connect students to meaningful work experiences aligned with regional workforce needs.
Counties Served: Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, Washington
Supporting: Employers
Visit Website
Contact

Southwest Indiana Workforce Board (SWIN)

Partners with businesses and schools to expand student access to industry-aligned work-based learning programs.
Counties Served: Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Warrick
Supporting: Employers
Visit Website
Contact

Northern Intermediaries

Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI)

Coordinates employer relationships, talent programs, and school partnerships to strengthen work-based learning throughout Northwest Indiana.
Counties Served: Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Starke
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Grow Allen

Supports work-based learning by coordinating student internships and work-based tours, connecting schools with local businesses, and partnering with community organizations to expand training pathways while collaboratively helping partners strengthen their work-based learning efforts.
Counties Served: Allen
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Horizon Education Alliance (HEA)

Partners with schools and employers to provide high school students with career exploration and hands-on work-based learning opportunities.
Counties Served: Elkhart
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Northeast Indiana Workforce Board (NEINW)

Supports regional talent pipelines by linking businesses with schools and promoting work-based learning as part of workforce development.
Counties Served: Adams, Allen, Grant, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, Whitley
Supporting: Employers
Visit Website
Contact

Northern Indiana Workforce Board

Serves as a regional backbone for work-based learning, bringing schools, employers, and workforce partners together to build shared WBL infrastructure and expand student opportunities.
Counties Served: Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall, St. Joseph
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Region 8 Education Service Center of Northeast Indiana (R8ESC)

Provides training, coordination, data support, and shared tools to help schools implement and scale consistent work-based learning practices across the region.
Counties Served: Adams, Allen, Blackford, DeKalb, Grant, Huntington, Jay, Kosciusko, Madison, Miami, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, Whitley
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

South Bend Regional Chamber

Coordinates employer partnerships, student programming, and large-scale work-based learning initiatives to connect youth with regional career pathways.
Counties Served: St. Joseph
Supporting: Employers, Schools
Visit Website
Contact

Connect

Contact

Connect with our team

Resources

Intermediaries

Find a regional partner to help you create work-based learning opportunities

Research

Indiana workforce data and insights

News

Workforce insights that inspire and educate

Who We Are

What We Do

Employers
Workforce Council
Choose Indiana
Research
Success Stories
About Us
News
Partners
Team
Board
Contact
Find a Job