POWERING ON THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

The Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship is dedicated to providing entrepreneurial leadership in communities across the
country and can help you establish your own CEO program.

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CEO+ Sign In

The Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship is dedicated to providing entrepreneurial leadership in communities across the
country and can help you establish your own CEO program.

Quick Contact:
Follow Us:
CEO+ Sign In
Midland Institute For EntrepreneurshipFAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Entrepreneurship starts with curiosity, and great questions are the first step. Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions about the CEO program, from how it works and who it’s for to how your community can get involved. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you.

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What is the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship?

The Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship is the provider of CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities). It partners with businesses, schools, and community leaders across the country to help communities establish, launch, and run their own CEO programs.

CEO stands for Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities. It is a year-long, experiential entrepreneurship education program for high school students and the recognized standard for entrepreneurship education in the United States.

CEO builds 21st century skills including problem-solving, teamwork, communication, self-motivation, and higher-order thinking, as well as entrepreneurial skills like creativity, leadership, and growth mindset.

Fearless Founders is a Midland Institute podcast featuring interviews with entrepreneurs, authors, athletes, and other leaders. Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. 

No. The program focuses on developing an entrepreneurial mindset. Starting a business is part of the experience, but the deeper goal is to change how students think, solve problems, and lead.

Midland provides ongoing tools, training, technology, resources, and personal support to local boards and facilitators. Communities also become part of a larger national network of CEO programs.

Who can participate in CEO?

CEO programs generally serve high school juniors and seniors from public, private, and homeschool settings. Exact eligibility requirements and participating schools vary by local program.

Students apply through their local CEO program. The process may include written responses, recommendations, and other application materials. Students should speak with their school counselor or contact their nearest CEO program for local instructions.

CEO looks beyond grades alone. Local programs seek students who are dependable, willing to work, open to new experiences, and prepared to take responsibility for their commitments.

CEO typically meets for 90 minutes each weekday throughout the school year. Classes meet in local businesses and other community locations rather than remaining in a traditional classroom.

Students visit businesses, learn from guest speakers, build professional relationships, work with mentors, participate in collaborative business experiences, develop business plans, and launch their own ventures.

Students generally receive two high school credits for completing CEO. Some programs also offer dual-credit opportunities through local education partners.

Evaluation standards are determined locally, but students are generally expected to produce quality work, meet deadlines, participate consistently, communicate professionally, and take ownership of their responsibilities.

How can our community start a CEO program?

Communities interested in launching CEO can contact the Midland Institute. The Midland team helps local leaders understand the model, organize community support, establish a board, prepare a facilitator, and work through the launch process.

Each program is guided by a local board made up of representatives from business, education, and the broader community. The board oversees local operations and works with the program facilitator and participating schools.

The facilitator guides students through the experience, coordinates community connections, and helps students take ownership of their work. Rather than functioning like a traditional lecturer, the facilitator manages an experiential learning environment and challenges students to grow.

CEO programs are primarily supported by local business investors, organizations, donors, and community partners. This community-funded model helps keep the program accessible to students.

Midland provides a structured launch framework, facilitator training, ongoing development opportunities, program resources, technology, website support, marketing materials, student documents, best practices, and access to the CEO network.

Yes. Many CEO programs bring together students from multiple schools within the same region, including public, private, and homeschool students.

How can I support a local CEO program?

You can contribute as an investor or donor, host students at your business, speak to a class, mentor a student, serve on a local board, provide professional expertise, or help connect the program with additional community resources.

Yes. Local businesses play a central role in the CEO experience by opening their doors, sharing how their organizations operate, and giving students direct exposure to different careers and industries.

Authorized board members, facilitators, and program leaders can use the Midland Institute sign-in area and CEO resource platforms to access program materials, tools, and support.

Current openings are posted on the Job Openings section of the Midland Institute website. Availability changes, so interested applicants should check that page for active positions and application details.