Startopia
    Families · Ages 7-14

    Kitchen Table CEOs

    Your child is CEO. You are the advisor. Build a real business idea together at home and submit a pitch that could win a place at a live founder showcase.

    Start the challenge
    Unsure? Join for free

    Free to enter · AED 175 only if judged · start any time

    Not sure yet? Start with the ten questions first
    A child and parent forming their team and drawing an organisation chart at the kitchen table

    4

    gates, each with a real deliverable

    4 weeks

    at 30-45 minutes per gate

    Free

    to enter and complete

    AED 175

    only if you want the pitch judged

    One family, one kitchen table, four weeks

    How it works

    Four gates. The parent asks, the child answers.

    1

    Take on your roles

    Your child is CEO. You are the advisor. No prior business experience needed on either side.

    2

    Work through the four gates

    Org chart, problem statement, founder card and pitch - at your own pace, from your kitchen table.

    3

    Submit your pitch

    Send the finished portfolio for feedback, or pay AED 175 to have it judged for a place at a live showcase.

    The four gates

    The Kitchen Table CEOs challenge.

    Each gate has a real deliverable, built together at home.

    01

    Organisation Chart

    Who is the CEO? Who advises? Who does what? Children design the structure of their business from day one - assigning real roles including their own.

    02

    Problem Statement

    Find a real problem by observing, asking questions and gathering evidence. Parents guide the conversation - but the child identifies the problem.

    03

    Founder Card, Financial Model & Logo

    Who is this founder? What does the business charge, cost and earn? Design a logo that represents the idea. All three assets go into the ProofVault portfolio.

    04

    Pitch

    Record a short live pitch: the problem, the solution, the evidence and the ask. Submit the full portfolio and pitch for review.

    A family reviewing their pitch deck together
    Reviewing the founder card before recording the pitch
    Two children drawing their company logo on a tablet
    Designing the business logo

    The four-week journey

    What it looks like at the kitchen table.

    Each gate takes 30-45 minutes and produces a real deliverable. Photos from the GEMS Family Innovation Challenge.

    1. Form Your Team: The child takes the role of CEO. A parent or guardian becomes the advisor. Together they create their org chart and company name.

      01 · Week 1

      Form Your Team

      The child takes the role of CEO. A parent or guardian becomes the advisor. Together they create their org chart and company name.

    2. Find Your Problem: The CEO identifies a real problem from their own world. Who is affected? Why does it matter? A one-page problem statement is the deliverable.

      02 · Week 2

      Find Your Problem

      The CEO identifies a real problem from their own world. Who is affected? Why does it matter? A one-page problem statement is the deliverable.

    3. Build Your Founder Card: A 5-slide deck: cover, problem, first financial model, solution idea, and why your family deserves a place. Designed by the child, reviewed by the advisor.

      03 · Week 3

      Build Your Founder Card

      A 5-slide deck: cover, problem, first financial model, solution idea, and why your family deserves a place. Designed by the child, reviewed by the advisor.

    4. Record Your Pitch: A 90-second video pitch recorded at home. The child presents to camera - the parent sits off-screen. Real judges watch every submission.

      04 · Week 4

      Record Your Pitch

      A 90-second video pitch recorded at home. The child presents to camera - the parent sits off-screen. Real judges watch every submission.

    What your family builds

    Every Kitchen Table CEO finishes with a portfolio of real work, not just a certificate.

    • A clearly defined problem statement grounded in real observation
    • A structured solution developed through guided ideation
    • A Founder Card, a basic financial model and a business logo
    • A recorded pitch with supporting evidence
    • A ProofVault portfolio ready for Startopia Skills or a live showcase

    Free entry.

    AED 175 if you want the submission judged, credited against any programme within 12 months.

    What families say

    "My child has discovered that age is not a limitation to making a difference. She has become more confident, responsible, and motivated to use her talents to help others."

    Hijrah

    Parent · Family First 2026

    "I learned that even kids can turn their ideas into something real. I was happy when families played my game and enjoyed it, and it made me more confident."

    Diya

    Young founder · Family First 2026

    Not sure yet?

    Start with the ten questions first.

    Ten questions to ask at the kitchen table, plus a short video course with Louis. Try them with your child before you start the challenge.

    Get the Founder Questions - free

    Not ready to enrol?

    Get The Founder Questions by email.

    Questions parents ask

    Before you start.

    “

    My child has discovered that age is not a limitation to making a difference. She has become more confident, responsible, and motivated to use her talents to help others.

    Hijrah · Parent · Family First 2026

    What age is it for?Ages 7 to 14, with a parent or guardian acting as advisor.
    Who holds the account?The parent. Children do not register or log in on their own.
    Does it cost anything?Entry is free. AED 175 is only charged if you want the submission judged, and that fee is credited against any Startopia programme within 12 months.
    What does my family come away with?A ProofVault portfolio: a problem statement, a Founder Card, a simple financial model, a logo and a recorded pitch.
    What happens after Kitchen Table CEOs?Families move on to Startopia Skills to build the six founder skills the challenge introduced.
    What comes next

    Build the six founder skills the challenge introduced.

    Startopia Skills

    Ages 7+ · six modules, at home

    Send your family pitch for a chance to build your idea with Louis!

    Ready to start?

    Start the challenge to lock in your family's place and get instant access to the Kitchen Table CEOs materials.

    Start the challenge
    Unsure? Join for free
    Not sure yet? Start with the ten questions first

    Not ready to enrol?

    Get The Founder Questions by email.