EDUCATOR
INNOVATION
PROGRAM
SUMMER 2026
Train with global innovation experts.
Bring a proven entrepreneurship framework back to your classroom.
Guide your students through the Global Entrepreneurship Challenge.
OVERVIEW
What Is the Educator Innovation Program?
The Educator Innovation Program is an immersive, hands-on training experience designed for high school educators who want to bring real-world innovation into their classrooms.
The program begins with a one-week summer intensive in Lisbon, Portugal, hosted in collaboration with Unicorn Factory Lisboa. You'll experience the same innovation process your students will follow — from problem identification to pitch — learning by doing alongside educators from around the world.
After training, you'll return to your school equipped to launch and lead an innovation club or class, guiding student teams through the year-long Global Entrepreneurship Challenge (GEC).
No prior experience with entrepreneurship is required… just a passion for helping students tackle real problems.
The Global Entrepreneurship Challenge
The GEC is a free, year-long innovation program where high school teams from around the world work on real human-centered challenges tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As an educator in this program, you'll mentor student teams through the full GEC experience.
Sponsors & Organizers:
YOUR JOURNEY
From Training to Global Summit
The Educator Innovation Program is a year-long commitment with three phases.
1.
JUL 2026
Summer Training in Lisbon
One-week in-person intensive with international specialists. Experience the innovation process as a learner and collaborate with fellow educators.
2.
OCT 2026 - APR 2027
Lead the GEC at Your School
Launch an innovation club or class. Mentor student teams through the Global Entrepreneurship Challenge, meeting approximately one hour per week.
3.
SPRING 2027
Global Summit
You and your students work with entrepreneurs. Students present their solutions at the GEC Summit either in Lisbon or via Zoom.
WHY JOIN
What Makes This Program Different
A hands-on experience designed to give you experience from the working world.
Learn from Global Experts
Train with facilitators from Hudson Lab Ventures, Unicorn Factory Lisboa, Co-Created (a venture studio working with Fortune 500 companies), and the GEC team at Scarsdale High School.
Experience Innovation First-Hand
Observe high school students from around the world tackle corporate-sponsored challenges during Innovation Summer School. Learn the process by living it yourself.
Launch Your Own Program
Return to your school with curriculum, tools, and ongoing support to lead an after-school innovation club — and connect your students to a global community through the GEC.
EDUCATOR BENEFITS
What You’ll Walk Away With
Everything you need to bring innovation-driven learning to your school.
Classroom-Ready Innovation Framework
A structured, repeatable process you can use with any group of students.
Global Educator Network
Connect with fellow educators from around the world who are doing this work too.
A Model for Project-Based Learning
A practical, proven approach to PBL grounded in empathy, research, and clear thinking.
Full Curriculum & Teaching Materials
Lesson plans, timelines, and tools designed for the school year ahead.
Online GEC Team Support
Regular check-ins, Zoom meetings, and guidance throughout the school year.
Student Access to the GEC
Your teams participate in the year-long Global Entrepreneurship Challenge and Summit.
SUMMER INTENSIVE
One Week in Lisbon
Given the luxury of time, you'll dive into the innovation process as a learner and collaborate with educators from around the world.
Summer 2026
July 2026 · Lisbon, Portugal
FORMAT
One-week in-person training with international innovation specialists and entrepreneurs.
EXPERIENCE
Work alongside Unicorn Factory Lisboa's partners and startups on real business challenges.
COMMUNITY
Connect with other educators, founders, and experts in a fun and enriching setting.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
Is This Program For You?
Ideal Candidates
High school educators passionate about innovation and real-world learning
Teachers in any subject area — no entrepreneurship experience required
Educators interested in project-based learning and student-centered approaches
Open to learning new frameworks and collaborating internationally
Your Commitment
Attend the one-week summer training in Lisbon (July 2026)
Launch and lead an after-school innovation club at your school
Mentor student teams through the GEC (Oct–Apr)
Participate in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit
Note: The Summer 2026 program is primarily designed for Portuguese educators, with spots available for international participants.
LEADERSHIP
Meet the Team
Cate Han
Before founding Hudson Lab School and Hudson Lab Ventures, Cate helped startups raise over $100M in early-stage capital and worked with entrepreneurs to build company value through mentoring, strategic planning, and fundraising. Cate began her career as a Quantitative Analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein, co-founded Launch Collective and Learning Pods, and set up the finances for Managed by Q. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst with an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA from Barnard College.
Brian McDonald
Recipient of the 2019 STEMX Curriculum Design Award, Brian McDonald combines engineering, design thinking, and entrepreneurship in the classroom. At the Design Lab at Scarsdale High School, Brian has collaboratively designed a cohesive, authentic, and experiential STEAM program integrating experiential learning and self-reflection. Brian has a BS in Technology Education from SUNY Oswego and an MS in Humanistic and Multicultural Education.
SPONSORS & ORGANIZERS
Our Partners
A global network of innovators, educators, and institutions.
GET STARTED
Ready to Bring Innovation to Your Classroom?
No prior experience with entrepreneurship required. Join a global community of educators building the future of learning.