The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a groundbreaking and exciting program that transforms local middle and high school students into real, confident entrepreneurs. Students from all local school districts are encouraged to apply, and educators are invited to nominate students they believe will excel in the program. Full and partial scholarships are available to qualifying students.
This will be the 11th year of YEA! at MVCC. Applications are now open for the upcoming class and are due on Monday, Oct. 3.
Apply to the Young Entrepreneurs Academy today!
Who can apply?
The class is open to students in grades six through 12 (ages 11 to 18) from any local school district and class size is limited.
When are classes?
Classes will be held from 5-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings from Oct. 12, 2022, through April 26, 2023 (no classes during school breaks).
Classes will be a mix of in-person and virtual for the 2022-23 school year. A full schedule with locations will be provided upon acceptance to the program.
What is the class like?
During the class, students:
- Learn how to create a business they are passionate about
- Complete market research and develop a business plan
- Work one-on-one with business mentors and graphic designers
- Attend field trips to learn from local entrepreneurs
- Pitch their ideas at a "Shark Tank"-style investor panel presentation to win real start-up funds
- Legally register their business as a DBA
- Take part in a trade show
- Graduate from the program with lifelong leadership and business skills
One student from the program is chosen to represent our class at the Saunders Scholars National Competition at Rochester Institute of Technology, where they will compete against students from all over the country! Other prizes include an annual membership to the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce.
Application Process
Student will need to:
- Complete the application
- Answer three short-answer questions
- Write a 300-word essay
- Get one letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor
- Get a copy of their academic transcript
- Complete an in-person interview (via Zoom)
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.
Forms
For Students:
For Educators:
2022-2023 Calendar
- Application deadline: Monday, Oct. 3, 2022
- Student interviews (virtual): Oct. 3-7, 2022, via Zoom
- Parent/Student Orientation: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022; virtual (TBD)
- First Class: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022
- Investor Panel: Wednesday, March 29, 2023
- Trade Show and Graduation: Wednesday, April 26, 2023
- National Saunders Scholars Competition: TBD, Rochester, N.Y.
Have questions?
Contact Michelle Truett, Program Manager, YEA Instructor since 2012:
michelle@484design.com
315-534-0067
Thank you to our 2022-2023 program partners:
- M&T Bank/Partners Trust Bank Charitable Fund
- Berkshire Bank
- First Source Federal Credit Union
- Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce
- WUTR Eyewitness News
- Sentinel Media Company
- ICAN
- thINCubator
The University of Rochester started YEA! in 2004 with support from the Kauffman Foundation and is now in 168 communities across America with classes also in Shanghai, China, and India. More than 4,000 students nationwide have launched over 3,000 businesses and social movements.
YEA! USA is made possible by the Kauffman Foundation, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the E. Philip Saunders Foundation. We also thank our national supporters — Sam’s Club and Southwest Airlines.