The pilot event, which is hosted by the Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre, runs on September 5 and 6 at the Orana Steiner School in Weston.

"It's a crash course in developing a business, over a weekend," said Lighthouse director Candice Edye.

After five years of aiming the initiative at university research students, the organisers are targeting the next generation of whiz-kids.

"There aren't that many events pitched at high school students," Ms Edye said.

"The younger they are the more creative and open to ideas they are. There's no age limit on innovation."

Over the weekend free thinkers from years 7 to 12 will come up with business ideas before selling their concepts to a panel of judges.

Working in teams, they will brainstorm fresh visions for products or services that could provide solutions to the global issues their generation will face.

Ruby McFarlane, in year 7 at Orana Steiner School, was looking forward to "being able to solve problems in the future".

The teens can enter as a group or as individuals.

Lighthouse chief executive officer Anna Pino said students did not need to know how to code to take part in the program.

"They just need to bring their enthusiasm and good ideas," she said.

As the young adults grapple with the challenges of sustainability and globalisation, their capacities for innovation, creativity and problem solving will be put to the test.

The budding business people will develop their ideas around one of three streams of change: health, communication or energy.

Industry professionals and experienced entrepreneurs will guide and inspire them with workshops and presentations.

New technologies will be showcased at the Canberra start-up camp, which has attracted interest from as far afield as Bega.

On the Sunday, the teams will put forward their proposals for critiquing, with the winners receiving prizes.

"I would love to see this taking off, with schools running it themselves," Ms Edye said.

For more information, visit http://www.startupcampcanberra.com.