Elkhart Community Schools & the Greater Elkhart Chamber Welcomes Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a year-long program that teaches middle and high school students how to start and run their own REAL businesses. YEA! was developed at the University of Rochester in 2004 with the support of a grant from the Kauffman Foundation. The Greater Elkhart Chamber is excited to be introducing YEA! to the Elkhart Community! YEA! guides high school students through the process of starting and running a legitimate business or social movement over the course of a full academic year. YEA! has graduated almost 600 students over the past 7 years, who have started almost 450 businesses and social movements! YEA! graduates started as students, and left the program as CEOs of their own companies!
Over the course of the program, students:
• Brainstorm business ideas • Write a business plan • Interact with business professionals • Pitch their business plan to potential “investors” (think Shark Tank meets The Apprentice meets American Idol) • Obtain funding • Legally register their businesses • Participate in a Trade Show • Actually launch their own businesses or social movements
Why Apply? This program offers students the chance to:
• Develop the skills necessary to launch their own business or social movement (hands-on entrepreneurial experience!) • Learn about real businesses - why they succeed or fail • Hear from local entrepreneurs • Launch their own business or social movement! • Become more confident in their ideas and their abilities
Organization of Program
YEA! classes will meet January through June, for three hours weekly, with the exception of a few hours extra from time to time. Applications will be accepted from students in grades 9-12. There are no classes during regular school holidays and recesses. Students are taught by an instructor, but are exposed to guest lecturers, successful entrepreneurs and business mentors. The class goes on field trips to a variety of local businesses. Finally, the students participate in three major events throughout the year: the Investor Panel, Trade Show and a formal graduation ceremony.
Student Selection Process To apply for YEA!, students must:
• Download the student application • Complete the essay and the short answer questions • Submit transcripts • Submit a letter of recommendation • Scholarships available - download scholarship application
Once the completed application packet is received, students will be asked to come in for an interview. Acceptance in the program is based on all aspects of an application, as well as the personal interview. Prior experience with business is not required!
How Business Professionals Can Get Involved
Through their interactions with business professionals during the year, YEA! students gain some of the most important knowledge and experience they need to succeed. Local professionals volunteer their time and expertise as guest speakers, mentors, investors, graphic designers, field trip hosts, business plan reviewers, and much more. The time YEA! students spend with adults who encourage their futures is invaluable, and participants often report getting even more out of their participation than they put in to it!
If you are interested in becoming involved with YEA! as a guest speaker, field trip host, or volunteer, contact either at (574) 612-6582 or at (574) 293-1531 ext.122.
