For parents
Before your student applies,
here's what you should know.
This page covers how the program works, who mentors your student, what we expect from participants, and what you can ask us at any point.
Quick answers
Is it free?
Yes — no application fees, no program fees, no equity taken from your student's venture.
Is it supervised?
All mentor meetings are structured and supervised. No unsupervised in-person 1:1s.
Do I need to consent?
Yes — parent or guardian consent is required and built into the application.
What is the time ask?
3–5 hours per week, flexible around school schedules and commitments.
What is Aeroventure?
Aeroventure Institute is a Long Island program that helps high school students (grades 9–12) launch their own ventures. Accepted students receive up to $500 in startup grants, a dedicated mentor, step-by-step launch playbooks, and access to a cohort of peers going through the same process. The program is free. We never take equity from student ventures.
Safety and supervision
All program activities take place in supervised group settings or digitally through established platforms. Mentor meetings are structured and documented. We do not facilitate unsupervised in-person meetings between students and adult mentors unless a parent or guardian is present.
How mentors are vetted
Every mentor in our network goes through a screening process that includes a professional background review, a structured interview, and alignment with our mentor code of conduct. Mentors are working professionals and industry experts — not anonymous volunteers. We can provide information on any assigned mentor upon request.
Parent consent and involvement
We require parent or guardian consent as part of the student application. You'll receive information about your student's program participation, mentor assignment, and activities. Parents are welcome to attend open events and can reach out to us directly at any time.
Time commitment
Most students invest 3–5 hours per week in the program. Mentor check-ins happen every two weeks (~1 hour each) and students spend the remaining time working on their venture independently. All sessions are flexible and scheduled around school commitments. There is no attendance penalty for school conflicts.
No fees. No equity. Student ownership.
Aeroventure is free for accepted students. We do not charge program fees, and we do not take any equity or ownership stake in student ventures. Anything your student builds belongs to them, entirely. The funding we provide is a grant, not a loan, and comes with no strings attached.
How mentor vetting works
Who is mentoring my student?
Every mentor in our network is reviewed before being matched to a student. Here is exactly what that process involves.
Application & background review
Prospective mentors complete a professional profile. We verify their background, experience, and professional identity before progressing.
Structured interview
We conduct an interview to assess their communication style, reliability, and suitability for working with high school-age students.
Code of conduct sign-off
Every mentor must sign our mentor code of conduct before being matched. This covers communication norms, confidentiality, and student safety expectations.
Supervised matching
Mentors are matched by Aeroventure staff — not directly chosen by students or mentors. All sessions are structured and documented.
No unsupervised in-person meetings between students and adult mentors. All 1:1 sessions are conducted over video call or in structured group settings. You can request information on your student's mentor at any time.
Resources
Downloads for parents
Program one-page overview
A single-page summary of how Aeroventure works — program structure, timeline, funding, and safety. Share with family members.
Coming before launchStudent handbook
What students are expected to commit to, how sessions are structured, and what participation looks like week to week.
Coming before launchSafety policy
Our full safety policy — how we handle concerns, what we expect from participants, and how parents can escalate issues.
Read onlineParent FAQ
Questions parents ask us most.
Can my student apply if they don't have a business idea yet?
Yes. If they have a rough idea or even just an interest in entrepreneurship, we can help them develop and validate an idea during the program. No business plan is required to apply.
What happens if my student needs to leave the program?
Students can leave at any time without penalty. We ask for two weeks' notice so we can notify their mentor and close out any open activities. There are no financial obligations if they leave.
Is there any cost to families?
No. The program is completely free. There are no application fees, participation fees, or costs at any point. We also never take equity from student ventures.
Will my student need to travel?
Most mentor meetings happen over video call. In-person events and workshops take place on Long Island and attendance is encouraged but optional.
Who exactly are the mentors? Can I request information about my student's mentor?
All mentors are professionals — founders, operators, investors, and domain experts. They go through a background review, a structured interview, and must sign a code of conduct before being matched. Yes, you can request information on your student's assigned mentor at any time by emailing us.
What does a typical week look like for my student?
Students typically invest 3–5 hours per week. This includes a bi-weekly 1:1 with their mentor (~1 hour), independent work on their venture, and optional attendance at workshops or office hours. There's no penalty for missing sessions due to school obligations.
What if my student encounters a problem with a mentor or another participant?
Contact us immediately through the homepage contact form or by email. We have a documented safety policy and response process. All concerns are reviewed and acted on. For serious concerns, we can be reached directly and will prioritize the response.
Does Aeroventure take any ownership of my student's business?
No. We never take equity or ownership in a student's venture. The business belongs entirely to your student. The funding they receive is a grant — not a loan and not an investment.
What is Aeroventure's legal structure?
Aeroventure is currently operating as a sponsored program while our nonprofit application is finalized. We are in the process of filing for 501(c)(3) status. We will communicate the outcome to all participants and sponsors when confirmed.
How do I contact Aeroventure directly?
Email us at contact@aeroventureinstitute.org or use the contact form on our website. We respond to all inquiries within two business days.
Have a question? Reach out directly.
Questions about the program, a student's application, or mentor vetting are welcome. We respond to all parent inquiries within two business days.