Applications Open for TiE Boston’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy

September 30, 2026
- By WestfordCAT Staff

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BOSTON — TiE Boston is accepting applications for the 2026–27 TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) Academy, a hands-on entrepreneurship program in which high-school students work together to develop real startup concepts.

Westford has been especially well represented in the program, with at least 15 Westford Academy students participating during the past three cohorts.

Recent participants include Rahul Ram, whose team developed CCOMPASS, an all-in-one learning-resource platform for students outside traditional school settings, and Nipun Kodeboyena, whose team created Authenticlo, a scannable electronic chip designed to help reduce fashion counterfeiting.

Another notable Westford success story is Maruthi Birudavolu, a Westford Academy student and member of TelePark, a mobile app designed to help drivers locate available public parking spaces. TelePark won first place at TiE Boston’s 2024 Final Pitch Competition and advanced to the TYE Global Finals in Silicon Valley, where the team earned three awards. Maruthi later returned to the program as a TYE Alumni Co-Director, helping guide and support the next generation of student entrepreneurs.

“Westford students have consistently brought creativity, curiosity, and a strong work ethic to TYE,” said Adam Carter, Director of Programs at TiE Boston. “They have developed thoughtful solutions to real problems while becoming more confident leaders, collaborators, and presenters. We would love to welcome another strong group of Westford students this year.”

Founded in Boston in 2005, TYE introduces students to the rewards and challenges of entrepreneurship. Participants learn directly from startup founders, executives, investors, and other business leaders while developing practical skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, financial literacy, customer discovery, marketing, and public speaking.

Students form teams and progress through the major stages of creating a startup. They identify a problem, interview potential customers, develop a value proposition and business model, create a prototype, consider pricing and financial sustainability, and prepare a professional pitch presentation.

Each team is paired with experienced mentors who help the students refine their ideas and prepare for the program’s culminating Final Pitch Competition. During the competition, teams present their ventures before a panel of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders and respond to questions from the judges.

Last year’s competition featured student-created ventures addressing challenges in health, safety, sustainability, education, and technology. The event demonstrated not only the students’ entrepreneurial knowledge but also the confidence, teamwork, and communication skills they developed throughout the program.

Students do not need to enter TYE with a startup idea or previous business experience. The program is open to students in grades 9–12 who are interested in entrepreneurship, STEM, technology, business, leadership, or solving real-world problems.

The academy meets for 12 Saturday sessions from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Cambridge Innovation Center in Kendall Square. Two cohorts are available, beginning October 17 and October 24.

The program fee is $2,400, which includes learning materials and catered lunches. Need-based scholarships and a two-installment payment plan are available to help make the program accessible to qualified students.

The approximate application deadline is October 12, and space is limited. After applying, students participate in a brief phone or video interview that also provides an opportunity to ask questions about the program.

For additional information, previous digital yearbooks, or the online application, visit www.tye-boston.org. Questions? Call Adam Carter, TiE Boston’s Director of Programs, at 401-306-4929 or email adam@boston.tie.org.