Young entrepreneurs: held together by a common interest
Think of the world-changing innovations of the past century. First, the airplane, then communications satellites, and later PCs. All of these remarkable innovations would likely not exist without the pioneering work of entrepreneurial inventors.
Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) students are held together by a common interest. They want to change the world.
The mission of YEA! is to help local middle and high school students create new businesses, share ideas, and learn from successful business leaders. Students accepted into the YEA! program spend an entire school year developing the skills and confidence necessary for starting and growing their own business. And as a result, they graduate from the program as CEOs of a viable business.
YEA! students learn the skills they need to succeed as entrepreneurs. They see firsthand where companies begin. They learn how to write a business plan, pitch their ideas to investors, and obtain funding.
Through the process of operating a business, students are provided with hands-on experience in planning, critical thinking, and teamwork. Above all, as they learn, they apply new skills throughout the year. Furthermore, students also attend field trips to see real-world examples of entrepreneurial ideas in action.
National Competition
Each year in the spring, the students compete for funding during an investor panel event. Finally, the overall winner is awarded the opportunity to compete in the YEA! Saunders Scholars Competition. This competition brings together the top student businesses from each YEA! class around the country to compete. The prizes? Students can win college scholarship dollars and business start-up prize packages.
Entrepreneurs are important to our business ecosystem
Workforce development has always been a key initiative at the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, but even more so with the Chamber’s new strategic plan adopted in late 2021. YEA! Frisco is a Frisco Chamber of Commerce program in partnership with the Frisco Economic Development Corporation and Frisco ISD.
Do you know a student ready to change the world?
In conclusion, if you know a middle or high school student that is ready to change the world, this is a program worth looking into! No need to have experience or even a business idea. Above all, a great attitude and willingness to learn and grow will set the student up for success!
Applications for the 2022-23 Frisco Young Entrepreneurs Academy are now being accepted through August 26, 2022, at 5:00 PM. More information at friscochamber.com/young-entrepreneurs.
