Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 22, 2026
Fredericksburg Students Launch Real Businesses in INCubatoredu
TLDR
- Fredericksburg ISD's INCubatoredu program awarded $21,000 in seed money and drew over 30 business mentors, giving students a distinct edge.
- INCubatoredu is a year-long high school curriculum from Uncharted Learning where students build and pitch a real business to community judges.
- The program rejuvenates education by connecting students with local mentors, turning classrooms into launchpads for community-minded entrepreneurs.
- A student from the winning pitch team asked to return as a mentor the next day, doubling the volunteer pool for year two.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it showcases a proven, scalable model for experiential entrepreneurship education that is already revitalizing a rural Texas classroom and could be replicated across the state. By immersing high school students in the full lifecycle of building a real business—from ideation to pitch—INCubatoredu equips them with practical skills, resilience, and an entrepreneurial mindset that textbooks alone cannot teach. The program's success in Fredericksburg, fueled by local business mentors and community fundraising, demonstrates how public schools can foster innovation without relying on additional tax dollars. As other districts consider adopting the model, it signals a shift toward community-driven, hands-on learning that prepares students for an evolving economy and strengthens local entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Summary
The latest episode of The Building Texas Show, published September 14, 2026, features host Justin McKenzie in conversation with Jason Roemer, a 27-year business educator at Fredericksburg High School. Roemer built Fredericksburg ISD's INCubatoredu program, a national curriculum developed by Uncharted Learning, in which high school students spend a full school year building and pitching a real business from nothing to a sold-out pitch night.
In its first year, Roemer recruited over 30 local business owners, board advisors, and judges; guided six student teams through building real businesses; raised $20,000-$25,000 for the program, with all funds staying in the classroom; and closed the year with a sold-out theater pitch night where $21,000 was awarded in seed money and scholarships. Mentors include David Pedragon, who built and sold Dogology; Chad Myers, CEO of Core Javelina Holdings; Dan Kemp, CEO of Security State Bank; Central Texas Electric CEO Mr. Hinojosa; and rancher Sam Sage. Roemer credits the model and his volunteer team, saying, “The coach is only as good as the players.” Heading into year two, the program has doubled its volunteer pool, with a student from the winning team returning as a mentor, and Roemer is in talks with the Chamber of Commerce about a permanent Main Street presence and with educators in Hondo, Dripping Springs, and College Station about adopting the model.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube to hear the full mentor stories and learn more about INCubatoredu, a national high school curriculum where students develop, build, and pitch a real business to community judges instead of studying from a textbook. The program is funded entirely through community fundraising, with the only tax dollars involved being Roemer's teacher salary. This episode is part of an ongoing series spotlighting the founders, educators, and community champions building Texas's entrepreneurial economy.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by Newsworthy.ai. Read the original source here, Fredericksburg Students Launch Real Businesses in INCubatoredu
