IDEAS BY YOUTH
ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM
Empowering Youth through Social Entrepreneurship
Our Social Entrepreneurship Program is dedicated to building a mindset and skill set in young people that will guide them purposefully through life and career. This program empowers students to identify pressing social issues, conduct research, and develop innovative, community-driven solutions. Through collaboration with mentors and industry experts, students gain invaluable real-world experiences, equipping them with the entrepreneurial mindset essential to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond. Our goal is to foster the next generation of thoughtful, intentional leaders prepared to make a positive impact in the world.
A complimentary 12-week program that will teach high school students how to build a business, create a prototype and present it to a panel of experts in a shark-tank format for a chance to win a cash prize (to launch their business) and a 2-month business mentorship to take their idea to the next level.
Purpose
The program is designed to
- Empower young people to solve important problems such as poverty, injustice, health crisis, and climate change
- Guiding youth to find local solutions to global issues
- Provide opportunities for youth in underserved communities
Program Description
Step 1. 8-WEEK VIRTUAL PROGRAM WITH SESSIONS TWICE A WEEK.
Activities during the program include team building, leadership skill development, business research, conducting surveys, focus groups, and interviews about different types of businesses, prototype development, developing and presenting a business plan.
Step 2. COMPETITION.
Teams will present their prototypes to a panel of judges. The top 3 teams will win cash prizes to invest in their business and a 6-month mentorship to take their ideas to the next level. Judges will connect with the winning teams and become their mentors.
Step 3. 3-MONTH MENTORSHIP
Mentors will meet with top-scoring youth teams once a month under supervision of a professionally trained facilitator to ensure safety and productivity. Mentors will provide guidance to young people on how to implement their projects into their communities.
Step 4. SHOWCASE AFTER 3 MONTHS OF MENTORSHIP
Top scoring teams will present their businesses to entrepreneurs and investors after 3 months of mentorship to showcase their progress, get feedback on the next steps to take and attract more funding opportunities.
Key Dates
Deadline to Apply: December 30th, 2024
Program Start Date: January 9th, 2025
Final Competition: May 1st, 2025
Mentorship: May 5th - June 12th, 2025
IDEAS by Youth Showcase: June 13th, 2025
APPLYCompetition Presentations May 2023
Showcase Presentations August 2022
Competition Presentations January 2022
What Participants Are Saying
About Our Program
"Overall the program had a really good structure and timeline, we made a plan for our business and then brought it into reality."
– Participant, 2021 - 2022
This program has been one of my biggest achievement. This has been so moving for me to make a plan for my business and then making it work. Having this program to help me with my startup has been really amazing for me.
– Participant 2021 - 2022
I really enjoyed this experience, we were able to work with mentors and get feedback.
– Participant, 2021 - 2022