The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a groundbreaking program that transforms middle and high school students into real entrepreneurs.

During the 20-week program, students develop business ideas, write business plans, conduct market research, pitch their plans to a panel of investors, obtain funding, and then actually launch and run their own legally-registered, fully-formed companies.

YEA! guides students through the process of fulfilling their very own American dream. By bridging the business and educational communities, students are taught by trained instructors, and are exposed to guest lecturers, successful entrepreneurs and mentors.

Over the course of the program, students:

• Brainstorm business ideas
• Write a business plan
• Interact with business professionals
• Attend field trips for a behind-the-scenes look at local businesses
• Pitch their business plan to local investors for startup funding and the opportunity to advance to regional and national competitions.
• Legally register their businesses
• Launch and run their own business or social movement
• Graduate from the program with lifelong leadership and business skills

Website: https://www.mplschamber.com/yea/

Managing Organization: The Minneapolis Regional Chamber

Contact:

yea@mplschamber.com

Eligibility:
YEA! welcomes applications from all students in grades 6-12 who are between 11 and 18 years old. Students interested in starting their own, real businesses may apply for acceptance into the program by completing the application, which includes an essay and short-answer questions, school transcripts and letter of recommendation. Once the completed application is received, students may be invited to attend an in-person interview. Acceptance into the program is based on all aspects of the completed application as well as the personal interview. Prior business experience is not required, nor is it required to have a business idea prior to the start of class.

Registration Opens: January 1, 1970

Registration Closes: January 1, 1970

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a groundbreaking program that transforms middle and high school students into real entrepreneurs.

During the 20-week program, students develop business ideas, write business plans, conduct market research, pitch their plans to a panel of investors, obtain funding, and then actually launch and run their own legally-registered, fully-formed companies.

YEA! guides students through the process of fulfilling their very own American dream. By bridging the business and educational communities, students are taught by trained instructors, and are exposed to guest lecturers, successful entrepreneurs and mentors.

• Brainstorm business ideas
• Write a business plan
• Interact with business professionals
• Attend field trips for a behind-the-scenes look at local businesses
• Pitch their business plan to local investors for startup funding and the opportunity to advance to regional and national competitions.
• Legally register their businesses
• Launch and run their own business or social movement
• Graduate from the program with lifelong leadership and business skills

Website: https://www.mplschamber.com/yea/

Managing Organization: The Minneapolis Regional Chamber

Contact:

yea@mplschamber.com

Entry Fee:

Eligibility:
YEA! welcomes applications from all students in grades 6-12 who are between 11 and 18 years old. Students interested in starting their own, real businesses may apply for acceptance into the program by completing the application, which includes an essay and short-answer questions, school transcripts and letter of recommendation. Once the completed application is received, students may be invited to attend an in-person interview. Acceptance into the program is based on all aspects of the completed application as well as the personal interview. Prior business experience is not required, nor is it required to have a business idea prior to the start of class.

Registration Opens: January 1, 1970

Registration Closes: January 1, 1970