This article discusses how the mini-enterprise (ME) approach (Young Enterprise) can be understood as a tool for helping to achieve policy goals set for entrepreneurship. Analysis of 12 semi-structured interviews with 17-year-old students shows how social capital from friendship relations constitutes norms for interaction in MEs. To some extent, these norms appear to be at odds with business norms, and tension is created that may interfere with business productivity. The analysis of students' description of interaction provides explanations regarding documented outcomes from the ME approach. Furthermore, the article discusses the connection made between progressive pedagogical ideals and entrepreneurship education. Interviews were conducted during a field study of two classes in business economics in post-16 education in Norway.