Entrepreneurship Merit Badge
Six requirements, with the business idea chosen in requirement 4 drawn as the prerequisite of the written business plan in requirement 5, the plan's five sections drawn as steps, and imagining the business running (6) drawn after the plan.
7 steps (5 parts inside them). · Version 1, published 8 October 2026 · About Entrepreneurship Merit Badge
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This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody.
Your progress
10 steps can be started now; 1 is waiting on something else.
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The steps
Stage 1 of 7
1 step
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1. Define entrepreneurship, and its impact on the U.S. economy Requirement
In your own words, then explained to your counselor.
Stage 2 of 7
1 step
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2. Ten skills an entrepreneur needs Requirement
Why each matters: communication, planning, organization, problem solving, decision making, basic math, adaptability, technical and social skills, teamwork, and leadership.
Stage 3 of 7
1 step
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3. Interview someone who has started a business Often forgotten Requirement
Their education, early work, where the idea came from, what starting it involved, how they raised the capital, successes and challenges, and how the business is doing now (if applicable). Discuss what you learned with your counselor.
Stage 4 of 7
1 step
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4. Business ideas: list them, pick three, choose one Requirement
Write down as many ideas as you can, select the three best opportunities, and choose one. Explain to your counselor why you selected it and why you feel it can succeed.
Stage 5 of 7
1 step
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5. A written business plan for your idea Requirement
It includes all five sections, (a) to (e).
Usually comes after 4. Business ideas: list them, pick three, choose one.
5 parts
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5(e). Promotion and Marketing Often forgotten
Stage 6 of 7
1 step
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6. Imagine your business up and running Requirement
When you believe the idea is feasible: the successes and problems you might have, and how you would overcome failures. Discuss with your counselor the ethical questions you might face and how you would deal with them.
Stage 7 of 7
1 step,
all ticked
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Counselor signs it off Milestone
The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.
Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.
This plan is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.