Changemakers: Nurturing Entrepreneurship at LAS

At Leysin American School, innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship form a pillar of our academic and extracurricular programming and we provide experiential learning to help students see the real-world applications of their studies. By blending traditional academics with innovative programs, LAS develops critical skills in thinking, entrepreneurship, and teamwork, challenging students to think creatively and embrace an entrepreneurial mindset.

With our Changemakers program, LAS collaborates with Babson College, the top-ranked U.S. college for entrepreneurship, to bring the Entrepreneurial Program for Innovators and Changemakers (EPIC) curriculum to our students. This program equips students with essential skills in marketing, finance, design, and soft skills while creating projects aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). The Changemakers program also features:

• Speaker series—topics like sustainability in business and running family enterprises
• Entrepreneurship partners—collaborations with organizations like Dark Matter Labs and La Bruguera
• Cultural trips and courses—focusing on entrepreneurial thinking
• Real-world learning experiences

Real-world experiences are central to the LAS entrepreneurship program. Our annual workshop with Goldfinger Design in London offers students insights into sustainable design and business innovation. Students explore carpentry techniques, craft wooden projects, and engage with professionals on aligning purpose with profit. Other experiential opportunities include trips to Les Trois Terres vineyard for wine-making and Horizonte coffee workshops that merge business with craft skills.

LAS integrates advanced tools like Apple Vision Pro goggles, allowing students to explore virtual reality applications to solve real-world challenges. The Innovation Lab further nurtures creativity, offering hands-on learning with a “just in time” approach, where students acquire skills as needed for their projects. 

At LAS, we prepare students to tackle global challenges. Students develop critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making skills through programs like the Changemakers initiative, experiential workshops, and the Innovation Lab. Whether designing sustainable solutions or learning from industry leaders, LAS students are equipped to shape the future as compassionate, innovative leaders.