Teenagers Benefit from Catholic Entrepreneur’s Business Startup Program

Luke Burgis, a former Silicon Valley entrepreneur turned seminarian turned Catholic educator, is making waves in the world of entrepreneurship education for Catholic students. After a journey that took him from Wall Street to Las Vegas to the seminary, Burgis found himself searching for deeper meaning in his work. This led him to found the Catholic Entrepreneurship and Design Experience (CEDE) in 2020, a program aimed at helping students integrate their faith with their professional lives.

Now, four years later, CEDE is thriving at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., with programs and materials reaching students worldwide. Burgis, now an entrepreneur-in-residence and assistant clinical professor of business at CUA, is dedicated to bridging the gap between Catholic social teaching and practical entrepreneurship.

This year, Burgis is launching a new project for CEDE – a summer entrepreneurship program for high school students. The 10-week virtual Startup Venture Challenge will teach students the basics of starting a business within the context of Catholic social teaching. Burgis emphasizes that the goal is not just to create more business owners, but to equip young Catholics with the skills and confidence to succeed in any vocation.

The program, running from June 10 to August 12, is fully virtual and flexible to accommodate students’ work schedules. With a cost of $250 and scholarships available, applications are open to teenagers ages 14-18. Burgis hopes to ignite a fire within students, empowering them to take ownership of their creativity and talents while serving others. Through CEDE, Burgis is shaping the next generation of Catholic entrepreneurs and leaders.