AI Founder credits entrepreneurial education as foundational

INCubatoredu alum, Johnny Palumbo, brings an energy that’s impossible to ignore. As someone who never fit the mold of a traditional learner, he’s always approached problems differently. That same mindset fuels every conversation we have. Our meetings aren’t just chats; they’re brainstorming sessions that challenge my thinking. Johnny doesn’t just talk about AI—he shows what’s possible, pushes me to rethink efficiency, and helps me reallocate my brainpower to what truly matters.

As an educator, I help students and teachers navigate innovation, and my conversations with Johnny remind me to apply that same mindset to my own work. AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a force multiplier, creating space for deeper thinking and bigger ideas. Johnny’s journey proves that entrepreneurship education isn’t just about launching businesses—it’s about shaping how we think, adapt, and create in ways that move us forward.

Meet Johnny

Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, but succeeding in this space requires more than just technical skills. It demands a mindset of innovation, adaptability, and problem-solving—qualities deeply ingrained in entrepreneurial education. Johnny Palumbo, co-founder of Simplify Tech, credits INCubatoredu as the foundation for his AI-driven business success.

Finding Meaning in Education: A Game-Changer

Traditional school structures weren’t designed for students like Johnny. “I was an ADHD kid growing up. I was good at math, so I was ahead of the other kids. English? I didn’t care much for. I just wasn’t paying attention,” he said. “School was a struggle for me. I got decent grades, but nothing really hooked me in—until INCubatoredu at Barrington High School.”

His experience is not unique. Student engagement is a powerful predictor of academic achievement, yet many high schoolers struggle to connect with traditional coursework. As XQ highlights in a recent newsletter, “boredom, stress, and feelings of apathy” drive disengagement, and “if teens can’t see the relevance of assignments, no amount of remediation or test prep will fully close the gaps.” The solution? Schools must make learning meaningful—centering projects that foster curiosity, collaboration, and purposeful learning.

That’s exactly what Johnny found in INCubatoredu, high school entrepreneurship.

“I had heard the stories about how cool the program was. It was the first real taste of life I got,” he said. “It helped me realize I wanted to work for myself. I always thought I knew how to best use my own energy, and INCubatoredu helped me start doing it.”

From that moment, Johnny was hooked—not just on business, but on the act of problem-solving in the real world.

The Tools of Entrepreneurship—And How They Applied to AI

When Johnny entered college at the University of Wisconsin, majoring in Computer Science and Engineering, the lessons from INCubatoredu stayed with him. Even as he pursued a technical career, his business instincts kept driving him forward.

“I was making money on the side, selling textbooks, finding new markets—I never lost that business mindset,” he said. But it wasn’t until an internship at a financial institution that he realized just how powerful his skills were.

His future business partner, a finance professional, approached him with an idea: Could Johnny custom-develop AI software for businesses? The offer was too good to pass up.

“At first, I was just making chatbots. But then I started thinking—how is this guy paying me so well? I realized I could help him scale this,” Johnny explained. “So, I told him, ‘I want half the company. I can make this bigger.’ And that’s how Simplify Tech was born.”

Lessons That Translated Directly from INCubatoredu

Reflecting on his success, Johnny identifies three core lessons from INCubatoredu that set him apart:

1. Being Goal-Oriented – “School was about passing exams. INCubatoredu was about solving real problems. At 16, we were asking, ‘How do we bring a marketable solution to this problem?’ And that lesson stuck.”
2. Using Business Frameworks to Make Smart Decisions – “Every business idea I have starts with the Business Model Canvas. Years later, I emailed my teacher and asked, ‘Hey, can you send me that finance sheet and marketing template again?’ Because these tools still matter.”
3. Becoming a Doer – “INCubatoredu didn’t just teach me to think—it made me act. At 16, I was driving across three towns looking for a seamstress to make our first prototypes. That was the first time I was truly motivated to figure something out.”

These skills gave Johnny a huge advantage when launching his AI company. “I learned tools at 16 that my business partner, at 22, never had,” he said. “Honestly, 95% of adults in the workforce don’t have them either.”

Trailblazing AI

Simplify Tech helps businesses integrate AI to increase efficiency and automate workflows—a service that is more in demand than ever.

“We started as two broke 21-year-olds. We didn’t have investor money to burn, so we had to be smart,” Johnny explained. “AI allowed us to launch and scale without needing a huge team. The efficiency it enables is insane.”

His company now operates with just 10 employees, yet achieves the output of a much larger firm. “AI is a 10x productivity tool. One person can now do the work of ten.”

As for their clients? “90% of businesses come to us saying, ‘We need someone who understands AI.’ Big companies move too slowly to build AI teams. We can integrate AI into their workflows fast. That’s our edge.”

Why Every Student Needs AI Literacy

Looking ahead, Johnny believes AI literacy should be a core part of entrepreneurship education. His advice for students who want to stay ahead?

• Use AI in daily life – “I don’t send an email that isn’t read over by AI.”
• Stay curious – “Get on YouTube. Google ‘How can I use AI to do X?’ There’s an AI for everything.”
• Experiment with AI tools – “We use Zapier, Make.com, Fireflies, and AI-driven CRM integrations. Students should be playing with these now.”

“AI isn’t going to replace your job,” he adds. “But someone who knows how to use AI will replace 10 of what they were before.”

How Schools Can Prepare Students for the Future

So, how do we ensure students are ready for an AI-driven world? Embrace that young people want to learn—but they need what XQ calls, “meaningful reasons and supportive environments to do so.”

INCubatoredu is a prime example of how hands-on, student-led learning can spark engagement. When students have a voice in shaping projects and see their work impact real-world problems, they show up—both literally and figuratively.

Johnny is now working with his former teacher to bring AI education into the program. “I’m giving a lecture next Friday to INCubatoredu and Acceleratoredu students on generative AI,” he said. “I want to make sure they know how to use it.”

He also recently published an article on Medium about his journey and the future of AI in business. Read his insights here.

The Future Belongs to the Doers

Johnny’s story proves that entrepreneurial education isn’t just about startups—it’s about creating adaptable, innovative problem-solvers. And as AI reshapes industries, these skills will be more valuable than ever.

For schools looking to prepare students for the future, the takeaway is clear: Don’t just teach AI. Teach students to think, create, and act in ways that make AI work for them.

Want to learn more about how INCubatoredu prepares students not just for AI-driven careers but for life?   Explore INCubatoredu.