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.
This will be the 12th year of YEA! at MVCC. More than 160 local students have experienced the program, launching businesses and learning so much about entrepreneurship and themselves. Applications are now open for the upcoming class and are due on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.
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. Class size is limited.
When are classes?
Classes will be held from 5-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings from Oct. 23, 2024, through April 30, 2025 (no classes during school breaks). A full schedule with locations will be provided upon acceptance to the program.
YEA! is a year-long commitment, but we are very aware that students and families are extremely busy. We can work with students if they have seasonal commitments, such as sports, school plays, clubs, etc. Please don’t dismiss this amazing opportunity without talking it through with us first!
Where are classes held?
YEA! classes are held at ICAN's Family Resource Center, 106 Memorial Parkway in South Utica (on the corner of Holland Avenue and the Parkway). Some classes may include field trips, and we will see that students be dropped off at other local locations.
How much does it cost?
Due to generous donations from business and individuals in our community, the year-long YEA! experience is provided to students at no cost (value is $995).
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
- Learn from local guest speakers in areas of law, accounting, banking, insurance, e-commerce, social media, and more
- Experience field trips
- Work one-on-one with business mentors
- Work with professional graphic designers to create their brand identity
- 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
- Graduate from the program with lifelong leadership and business skills
Student prizes
- 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!
- One student will be awarded a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship to MVCC for two years.
- One student will be chosen to be featured in a television segment with WUTR, and another student will appear on the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce podcast.
- One student will be awarded a one-year membership to the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce.
Application Process
Students 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 a personal 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
2024-2025 Calendar
- Application deadline: Monday, Oct. 7, 2024
- Student interviews (via Zoom): Oct. 7-11, 2024 (and/or as applications come in)
- Acceptance letters go out: Oct. 14-16, 2024
- Parent/Student Orientation: 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, 2024
- First Class: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024
- Investor Panel: March 2025 (date TBD)
- Graduation: April 30, 2025
- National Saunders Scholars Competition: May 7-10, 2025, in Rochester, N.Y.
Have questions?
Contact Michelle Truett, Program Manager, YEA Instructor since 2012:
youngentrepreneursmvcc@gmail.com
315-534-0067
Thank you to our 2024-2025 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
About YEA!
The University of Rochester started YEA! in 2004 with support from the Kauffman Foundation and now serves thousands of students across America. More than 7,700 students nationwide have launched over 5,100 real businesses, non-profits, and social movements.
YEA! USA is made possible by the Kauffman Foundation, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the E. Philip Saunders Foundation.