Brill Academy is ideal for students who are curious about how businesses work, willing to test ideas and receive honest feedback, and comfortable with uncertainty and iteration. Your child doesn't need a business idea or entrepreneurial experience—just a willingness to think critically and engage actively.
We have zero tolerance for bullying, harassment, or disrespectful behavior. Students are expected to treat instructors, advisors, and peers with respect at all times. Violations may result in removal from the program without refund. See our Enrollment Policy for full code of conduct details.
No. Sessions are closed to parents to create a safe learning environment where students can take risks, share ideas, and receive honest feedback without parental pressure. We provide regular updates on student progress and welcome parent communication outside of session times.
Graduates are invited to pitch their businesses to professional investors (angels, VCs, family office representatives) at our bi-annual showcase. This is not a competition—there are no winners or prizes. It's a high-fidelity simulation of what real founders experience when presenting to people who evaluate ventures professionally. Participation is optional and requires separate consent.
Absolutely. Students retain full ownership of their business concepts and can continue developing them independently. The personalized evaluation letter includes recommended next steps for launching or refining their ventures. Some graduates choose to pitch at future Brill Ventures Showcases as their businesses evolve.
Brill Academy programs are designed for middle school students ages 12-14. Students outside this range may be considered on a case-by-case basis. No prior entrepreneurship experience or technical skills are required.
No. This is not a coding program. Students build business concepts around real problems—digital or non-digital. The focus is on entrepreneurial thinking: identifying opportunities, understanding customers, designing sustainable business models, and communicating value clearly.
Students need a computer or laptop with camera and microphone (tablets and phones are not recommended), reliable high-speed internet, video conferencing software (details provided at enrollment), and a quiet, distraction-free workspace.
No. Brill Academy is a private enrichment program, not an accredited academic institution. Students who successfully complete the program receive the Brill Academy Founder Credential, a comprehensive venture portfolio, and a personalized evaluation letter—all designed to demonstrate their entrepreneurial learning and capability.
Most programs are either too theoretical (no real execution), too tech-focused (requires coding), or competition-based (only "winners" get recognition). Brill Academy focuses on real entrepreneurial thinking: students build individual businesses, receive professional mentorship, practice peer advisory skills, and pitch to actual investors—without needing to code or compete.
Regular attendance is essential for success. If your child must miss a session, please notify us as soon as possible. We do not provide makeup sessions or recordings due to our privacy policies protecting student ideas and work. Students are responsible for staying current with program work.
All tuition is non-refundable once enrollment is confirmed. We encourage families to carefully review program details and ask questions before enrolling. If you have concerns about fit or commitment, please contact us before registering.
No. Sessions are not recorded and are not available for playback to protect student privacy and intellectual property. Sessions may be transcribed for internal quality assurance purposes only, with parental consent provided at enrollment.
We do not currently offer financial aid or payment plans. Full tuition is due upon enrollment. We occasionally offer scholarships on a case-by-case basis for exceptional circumstances—please contact us to inquire.
If we cancel a program due to unforeseen circumstances, families will be offered the option to transfer to a future cohort or receive a full refund of tuition paid within 14 business days.
If you have questions that we haven't addressed here, please contact us HERE.
Serial entrepreneur, investor, and long-time startup advisor with 30+ years in Silicon Valley. Y Combinator alumna, Thiel Foundation advisor, and graduate of innovation programs at HEC Paris and Oxford. She has built, scaled, and advised companies across technology, media, and global consumer businesses—working with Google, Apple, Meta, Disney, Adobe, and LVMH.
She founded Brill Academy to teach middle schoolers the entrepreneurial thinking she learned building and evaluating ventures at the highest levels.
