The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is enrolling North County middle schoolers in a seven-week entrepreneurship course that ends with students selling products they built themselves.

Fall registration for the Future CEO program opened Wednesday, Sept. 9, according to the Chamber. The after-school course meets Thursdays from 4 to 4:45 p.m., Sept. 24 through Oct. 29, at the Chamber's offices.

The program targets students in grades six through eight. Over seven sessions, participants work through creating a business plan, obtaining a business license, developing a product, building a brand, marketing, banking and finance, and interacting with customers. Local business leaders and mentors visit as guest speakers to share real-world experience, the Chamber said.

Each cohort's work culminates in a Future CEO Business Day & Maker's Market. Students showcase their businesses, present products and sell goods to real customers at the event. The Chamber has not announced a date or location for the fall market.

Jess Levy wrote in the Chamber's announcement that the program aims to build confidence, creativity, independence, communication and critical-thinking skills students can carry into any career path. Many important life skills come through experience rather than the classroom, the announcement said, and Future CEO gives middle schoolers a head start.

Future CEO launched in 2025. Cohorts have grown to roughly 25 to 35 students, according to the Chamber. The program has attracted local families and school district employees, the Chamber said.

The course is open to North County students. The Chamber's announcement does not specify which school districts are eligible or list a tuition fee.

The Chamber directs families to ImpactCarlsbad.com/FutureCEO for registration details, though the page was not accessible as of Wednesday, Sept. 9.