LAWRENCEVILLE — The Gwinnett County Public Library is accepting applications for its 2026 RISE Teen Entrepreneurship Program, a four-week workshop designed to help teens develop and pitch their own business ideas.

The program begins Feb. 17, 2026, and will teach participants how to build a business concept, create a small business plan and present their ideas to a panel of local entrepreneurs in a Shark Tank-style competition. Winners will receive cash awards to support their ventures.

Applicants must be Gwinnett County residents between 13 and 19 years old and have reliable transportation to weekly meetings. Sessions will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lawrenceville Hooper-Renwick Branch.

The application deadline is Jan. 5, 2026.

Library officials also noted that cardholders ages 13 and older can access nine makerspaces across the county. The spaces include technology such as laser printers, digital cameras, podcasting mixers, sewing machines and software. All equipment is free to use and can help young entrepreneurs develop products and promotional materials before launching on platforms such as Etsy, Fiverr, Instagram, WordPress and YouTube.