Young Entrepreneurs Academy - Savannah
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)is a groundbreaking class that transforms students between the ages of 11 and 18 into real, confident entrepreneurs. Students develop ideas, write business plans, pitch their plans to a panel of investors for funding, and launch their own legally registered, fully formed companies and social movements in less than 100 hours at the Savannah Technical College offered by the Metropolitan Savannah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Students—these are kids in grades 6 through 12-- learn to develop their favorite hobbies, passions and great ideas into thriving enterprises through a series of guest lectures and fun fieldtrips to local businesses for behind-the-scenes tours while meeting successful entrepreneurs all along the way. And, in the process, students develop self-confidence and self-assurance as they learn that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to.
YEA! began at the University of Rochester in 2005 with support from the Kauffman Foundation and today serves students across America and around the globe. Over 20,000 students have graduated from YEA! and have started more than 10,000 businesses—cool inventions and great ideas. YEA! students have been featured in national media including the hit shows Shark Tank, Hatched, and Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, the New York Times, USA Today, Seventeen Magazine, Teen Vogue, Inc.com, Fortune and Forbes, raised tens of millions of dollars in seed capital, and won millions of dollars in college scholarships. It’s not only about business—YEA! kids are doing everything from creating ‘apps’ that decrease bullying to reducing our carbon footprint.
A talent search is underway to identify America’s next top young entrepreneurs. Students do not need a business idea, invention prototype or previous business experience to apply for admission. Motivated, determined, resourceful students ages 11-18 who attend public school, private school, and home-school are invited to apply.
YEA! is currently accepting applications for the 2023 YEA! class hosted at the Savannah Technical College. Classes begin in February and meet once a week after school every Wednesday from 4:30pm-7:30pm through May. Class does not meet during school breaks or holiday recess. Tuition for the class is $995. Tuition includes materials, books, supplies and field trip transportation. Scholarships are available and are based on need and merit.
The student application process is competitive, and space is limited to 24 students per class. Admissions interviews are conducted on a rolling basis and applicants are encouraged to apply early as spots are limited. Application deadline is February 8, 2023. To apply, please complete and submit the YEA! Student Application attached and located at https://yeausa.wufoo.com/forms/ruy1odi0itbgzf/ [yeausa.wufoo.com] . Upon submission of the application, a personal interview will be scheduled.
If you have any questions about student eligibility, or student selection procedures, please do not hesitate to contact our YEA! Program Manager, Alfonso Ribot, at alfonso.ribot@msavhcc.org or by calling 912-495-7276. Students do not need to have any previous business experience at all, they just need to be motivated, committed, enthusiastic and excited about starting their own business or non-profit.
We encourage you to watch our YEA! graduate who appeared on Shark Tank with the young people in your life—Rachel Zietz, Gladiator Lacrosse, and review the enclosed information. You may find the overview of student run businesses and non-profit organizations developed and launched by our YEA! graduates particularly interesting, as they demonstrate the breadth of possibilities, and commitment and passion of these young entrepreneurs.
YEA! helps students recognize their personal potential and the power of their ideas while providing them with real world experience and practical application of knowledge. YEA! teaches the magic formula to turn ideas into businesses and social movements that create economic and social value, helping to motivate kids to design their futures in bold and powerful ways.
We look forward to partnering with you and receiving student applications from your students, family members, and your neighborhood kid who is always trying to sell you Something. Good luck!
Volunteer or Ask Questions About YEA! Savannah
If you are interested in supporting YEA! or have questions about the program, please contact Alfonso Ribot, at alfonso.ribot@msavhcc.org or by calling 912-495-7276.