NEXTGENVENTURE LAB
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Parent information and registration

Help them build skills they can prove.

NextGen Venture Lab is a practical 12-week online programme for young people aged 13 to 18. Students learn business and technology by creating real projects, receiving mentor feedback and building evidence they can explain with confidence.

Read the full programme information↓
12 weeksA structured journey from foundation skills to a final showcase.
2 live sessionsMentor-led learning and project support every week.
Portfolio evidenceStudents finish with work, feedback and reflections they can present.
Registration is not a payment or final enrolment.
We use this first step to understand your child, recommend a suitable pathway and arrange a parent conversation before a place is confirmed.
Register your interestThis usually takes around five minutes. Please complete it as the parent or legal guardian.
Step 1 of 3

Parent or guardian

Tell us who we should contact about the programme.

Step 2 of 3

Your children

Add each young person you are considering. Please use first names only.

Step 3 of 3

Programme fit

A few final details will help us recommend the right next step.

What they are joining

A practical programme built around doing, not just watching.

Students do not simply sit through online lessons. Every stage asks them to investigate, make decisions, create something, receive feedback and improve their work.

01

Live mentor teaching

Two guided online sessions each week combine explanation, demonstrations, discussion and practical support.

02

Real project work

Students apply what they learn to ideas, products, campaigns, software or technology solutions.

03

Feedback and improvement

Work is reviewed so students can respond to feedback, make changes and understand how progress happens.

04

Evidence of learning

Students collect project work, reflections and individual contributions in a portfolio they can explain.

The 12-week journey

From shared foundations to a finished venture.

The programme moves carefully from core skills into a specialist pathway and then into a collaborative project.

Week 0

Onboarding

Meet the team, understand expectations and prepare the tools needed to take part safely.

Weeks 1 to 3

Shared foundation

Explore problems, ideas, users, teamwork, responsible technology and how projects are built.

Weeks 4 to 7

Specialist pathway

Develop focused knowledge and practical skills in the student's chosen area.

Week 8

Mini-project

Use pathway skills to complete and present a smaller independent project.

Weeks 9 to 11

Team venture

Work across different roles to build, test and improve a shared venture.

Week 12

Showcase

Present the project, explain individual contributions and reflect on the next step.

Specialist pathways

They can explore a pathway that matches their interests and direction.

A child does not need to know their final career. The registration conversation helps us understand their interests, confidence and current experience before recommending a suitable pathway.

01

Business and Entrepreneurship

Turn problems into ideas, understand customers, shape an offer and develop a viable venture.

02

Marketing and Growth

Research audiences, create campaigns, communicate value and learn how brands earn attention.

03

Product and Business Analysis

Understand user needs, map processes, define requirements and help teams build the right solution.

04

Software Development

Plan, build and test websites, applications or digital tools through practical coding projects.

05

Cloud Engineering

Explore how online systems are hosted, connected, secured and operated reliably.

06

AI Engineering

Use data and AI tools responsibly to design, test and improve useful intelligent solutions.

07

AI Solution Architecture

Plan how people, data, AI models, software and cloud services work together in a complete solution.

Age-specific learning

The challenge, pace and support change with their age.

The same programme structure is adapted so that younger students receive more guidance while older students take on greater independence and complexity.

13–14

Explore and build confidence

Clear demonstrations, guided activities and shorter independent tasks help students develop curiosity and confidence.

  • Approximately 60 minutes per live session
  • 10 to 20 minutes of independent work
  • More scaffolding, examples and mentor support
15–16

Apply skills to real projects

Students make more decisions, work with realistic briefs and practise explaining why they chose a particular approach.

  • Approximately 75 minutes per live session
  • 20 to 40 minutes of independent work
  • Greater ownership of planning and delivery
17–18

Build depth and independence

Older students work with more complex challenges, stronger evidence standards and clearer links to future study, work or ventures.

  • Approximately 90 minutes per live session
  • 30 to 60 minutes of independent work
  • More independent research, decisions and leadership
What they gain

The outcome is more than a certificate. It is proof of capability.

A completed project

Something tangible they have helped research, plan, build, test and present.

A personal portfolio

Evidence of their own contribution, feedback received, improvements made and lessons learned.

Communication skills

Practice presenting ideas, asking useful questions, giving updates and explaining decisions.

Team experience

Experience working with different roles, responsibilities and perspectives towards a shared result.

Responsible technology habits

Guidance on privacy, online conduct, accessibility, ethics and thoughtful use of AI tools.

Greater direction

A clearer view of their strengths, interests and possible next steps in business or technology.

Safety and support

Young people should be able to build in a space that is responsible and respectful.

Safeguarding is part of the programme design.

Registration is completed by a parent or legal guardian. We collect only the information needed for initial contact and programme planning. Expectations for online behaviour, privacy, respectful collaboration and responsible technology use are introduced from onboarding and reinforced throughout the programme.

Parent communicationImportant decisions, programme information and consent requirements are communicated through the parent or guardian.
Private learner informationRegistration details and student work are not displayed publicly as part of the application process.
No public leaderboardsProgress is based on evidence, feedback and improvement rather than public ranking or unhealthy competition.
Responsible AI and technologyStudents are taught to consider accuracy, privacy, bias, accessibility, ownership and the effect of their work on others.
Programme fees

Clear payment options before you commit.

Programmes start from £160 per month.

The programme runs for 12 weeks and can be paid monthly across three months or paid in full. The final fee can vary by age group and specialist pathway. We confirm the timetable, exact fee and payment option during the parent conversation before enrolment.

From £160per month
After you register

A simple process before a place is confirmed.

STEP 01

We review the registration

We look at age, interests, goals, availability and any access needs shared in the form.

STEP 02

We contact the parent

A short conversation helps us answer questions and understand the child beyond the form.

STEP 03

We recommend a pathway

We suggest the age group, pathway and cohort that appear to be the best fit.

STEP 04

You decide whether to enrol

You receive the confirmed timetable, fee and next steps before making a commitment.

Submitting this form does not guarantee a place and does not create a payment obligation. It begins the family conversation so both you and the NextGen team can decide whether the programme is suitable.
Questions parents often ask

A few helpful answers before you register.

Does my child need previous experience?

They do not need to arrive with a finished business idea or advanced technical skills. We use the registration and parent conversation to understand their starting point and recommend the right level of challenge.

What happens if they are unsure about a pathway?

Select “Not sure yet” in the form. Their interests, strengths and goals can be discussed before a pathway is recommended.

Can I register more than one child?

Yes. Use the “Add another child” button inside the form so each young person can have their age, interest and goal recorded separately.

Is this self-paced learning?

No. The programme includes scheduled live mentor sessions, independent practice and project deadlines. Students need to be able to attend and participate regularly.

Will my child only work on theory?

No. Concepts are introduced so students can use them. Each stage leads towards practical work, feedback, revision and portfolio evidence.

What device will they need?

A laptop or desktop computer with reliable internet access is recommended. Tell us in the form if devices will be shared or if access may be difficult so this can be discussed.

Ready to discuss whether NextGen is right for your child?

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