Every season since 2024
Explore the growth and impact of BizBuzz across each season: what we ran, when and where, how many students took part, and the people and partners who made it happen.
Seasons at a glance
Sessions and hours of mentoring add up to the all-time totals (35 sessions and 830 hours). Students are counted separately each season, so the seasons add up to 1,455 while the all-time figure on our About page is 1,584+.
2026Two camps side by side
BizBuzz 2026 ran two six-week camps side by side, KidPreneur Camp and VentureLab, alongside the Fish Tank competition and the Naperville Children's Business Fair, reaching 365 students.
- students
- 365
- sessions
- 6
- programs
- 3
- hours of mentoring
- 145
Timeline
2026 Summer Camps Begin
KidPreneur Camp and VentureLab launch simultaneously.
Final Camp Session
Mock pitch session closes both six-week programs.
3 programs
- 2026 Summer Entrepreneurship Camp
- Fish Tank 2026
- 2026 Naperville Children's Business Fair
Program details and photos for 2026
2026 Summer Entrepreneurship Camp
Two six-week programs running simultaneously, KidPreneur Camp and VentureLab, from June 5 to July 10, covering ideation, finance, marketing and prototyping, business models, presentation skills, and a mock pitch.
Fish Tank 2026
Two separate tracks, KidPreneur and VentureLab, so every young entrepreneur competed against peers at their level.
2026 Naperville Children's Business Fair
BizBuzz returned to the Naperville Children's Business Fair, working with 100+ young entrepreneurs.
Photos from 2026
2025A bigger stage at Benedictine University
BizBuzz 2025 grew into a seven-week summer camp, a two-day Fish Tank final at Benedictine University, and workshops at the DuPage and Naperville Children's Business Fairs, reaching 370 students.
- students
- 370
- sessions
- 11
- programs
- 4
- hours of mentoring
- 304
Timeline
DuPage Children's Business Fair Workshops
Three workshops prepare 30 students for the April 26 fair.
2025 Summer Camp Begins
Seven-week entrepreneurship camp opens at the 95th Street Library.
Final Camp Session
Pitch rehearsal and preparation ahead of Fish Tank.
Fish Tank 2025
Two-day competition at Benedictine University with 70 competitors.
Naperville Children's Business Fair
BizBuzz staff judge the full-day fair at the Matrix Club.
4 programs
- DuPage Children's Business Fair Workshops
- 2025 Summer Entrepreneurship Camp
- Fish Tank 2025
- 2025 Naperville Children's Business Fair
Program details and photos for 2025
DuPage Children's Business Fair Workshops
Three workshops preparing 30 entrepreneurs for the DuPage Children's Business Fair, guiding them through ideation, marketing, and finance.
2025 Summer Entrepreneurship Camp
A free seven-week camp running from June 6 to July 25, covering networking and ideation, the lean canvas, marketing and branding, prototyping, finance, business planning, and pitch rehearsal.
Fish Tank 2025
Two-day pitch competition on August 2nd and 3rd where young entrepreneurs presented their ventures to Naperville business owners and leaders.
2025 Naperville Children's Business Fair
BizBuzz staff judged a full-day, farmers-market style event at the new Matrix Club, where kidpreneurs ages 5–14 tested the waters of entrepreneurship by selling handmade goods and pitching their small businesses.
Photos from 2025
2024Where it started
Our inaugural season: BizBuzz delivered school talks, a six-week summer entrepreneurship camp, the Fish Tank pitch competition, and year-round workshops across DuPage County, reaching 720 students.
- students
- 720
- sessions
- 18
- programs
- 13
- hours of mentoring
- 381
Timeline
Scott Elementary School Talk
First school presentation of the year, inspiring 135 students.
Crone Middle School Talk
Second school presentation reaching 60 students.
Summer Camp Begins
Launch of 6-week Summer Entrepreneurship Camp at 95th Street Library.
Camp Session 6 & Pitch Preparation
Final camp session with preliminary judge feedback before Fish Tank.
Fish Tank 2024
80+ students compete at College of DuPage in a two-day pitch competition.
Best Brains Workshops
Partnership workshops introducing entrepreneurship to 20 students.
Madison Junior High Program Starts
Long-term mentorship program begins with 90 students.
Brookdale Elementary Workshops Begin
Four-week workshop series teaching 20 young entrepreneurs.
13 programs
- Camp Session 1: Ideation & Innovation
- Camp Session 2: Unique Value Proposition & Networking
- Camp Session 3: Marketing
- Camp Session 4: Public Speaking
- Camp Session 5: Finance
- Camp Session 6: Pitching
- Fish Tank 2024
- Madison Junior High mxINCedu Mentorship Program
- Best Brains Learning Center Workshops
- Naperville Children's Business Fair Workshops
- Brookdale Elementary School Workshops
- Crone Middle School Talk
- Scott Elementary School Talk
Program details and photos for 2024
Camp Session 1: Ideation & Innovation
Students kicked off our free 2024 Summer Entrepreneurship Camp by exploring the basics of business-minded thinking, learning how to identify and solve real-world problems. After being introduced to concepts like value creation and market fit with 10 instructors, students dove into our Mini Fish Tank activity with $200+ in prizes.
Camp Session 2: Unique Value Proposition & Networking
Students learned how to craft a unique value proposition for their businesses and practiced their networking skills with 9 instructors. They put their skills to the test in a coffee shop simulation contest with $100 in awards.
Camp Session 3: Marketing
Students explored marketing, branding, and advertising through activities like the 'Guess the Brand' game and a flyer design challenge with $140 in prizes.
Camp Session 4: Public Speaking
Students explored the art of sales and pitching. Guided by 14 instructors, they practiced their public speaking skills and competed in an interactive, hands-on pitch contest with over $170 in prizes.
Camp Session 5: Finance
Students learned the basics of personal and business finance from 16 instructors. They then put their skills to the test in a dream vacation budgeting game with over $330 in prizes.
Camp Session 6: Pitching
The final session before Fish Tank where students finalized their pitch decks and practiced rehearsing their scripts. Preliminary judges offered exciting feedback.
Fish Tank 2024
Two-day pitch event where young entrepreneurs pitch innovative ideas, receive expert feedback, and compete for resources to turn their business concepts into reality. 80+ competitors, 30+ mentors, and 11 judges.
Madison Junior High mxINCedu Mentorship Program
A mentorship program enhancing the mxINCedu curriculum with new worksheets, slides, and activities for 90 students.
Best Brains Learning Center Workshops
Two workshops introducing 20 students to entrepreneurship and the process of turning imagination into innovation.
Naperville Children's Business Fair Workshops
Three workshops helping 50 students use creative problem-solving, marketing, and finance to launch products sold alongside 150 young entrepreneurs at the Naperville Children's Business Fair.
Brookdale Elementary School Workshops
Four workshops teaching 20 young entrepreneurs fundamental business skills, culminating in a school Pitch Night for parents and high school guest judges.
Crone Middle School Talk
A school talk encouraging 60 students to see themselves as problem-solvers and future business creators.
Scott Elementary School Talk
A school talk inspiring 135 students to explore entrepreneurship by showing how creative ideas can turn into real businesses, even as kids.
Stories from 2024
Garrett Hauk · Student
From Idea to First Place: Garrett's Gourmet Dog Treats
Garrett's Gourmet Dog Treats offers organic, natural, and delicious snacks made with fewer than five ingredients. As a healthier, modern alternative to conventional options, they ensure man's best friend enjoys treats that are both simple and satisfying.
Kandice Henning · Mentor
CEO Shares Journey to Fearless Entrepreneurship
Sharing her journey of creating one of Naperville's largest nonprofit organizations, she inspired students to embrace risk, pursue their passions, and lead through social innovation.
2024 partners
- College of DuPage (opens in a new tab)
- Naperville Public Libraries
- Madison Junior High
Photos from 2024
Summer 2027 is next
Registration for the 2027 camp is open. It is free, for students in grades 3 to 8, and taught by high school students.