(Newswire.net — April 26, 2013) Cincinnati, OH — The Young Entrepreneur of the year competition will take place Thursday night with 41 students from around the world. They will all pitch their business ideas which they have previously done in their own hometowns.
This will be the fifth year of the Young Entrepreneur competition, in Rochester, and the winner will get college scholarships and other prizes, such as the chance to appear on the ABC television show, Shark Tank.
More than half the students who participate are economically disadvantaged minorities who attend weekly classes on entrepreneurship at the academy.
“Even if they never have their own business beyond school, the practical education and experience they are gaining from this exposure should be able to help them in every aspect of life.” Pamela Heald
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) molds middle and high school students into confident entrepreneurs. Throughout the class students will learn about how to write business plans, conduct market research, pitch their plans to investors and actually launch and run their own business.
Since the program’s inception it has launched over 500 businesses and impacts over 90 communities in 17 stages, bringing educational and business communities together. It fosters the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation among today’s youth.
“It’s popular with kids because it is all about learning while doing,” Gayle Jagel.
The school yields some impressive facts:
- 100% of Academy Graduates Graduate High School on Time
- 99% of Academy Graduates Enroll in College
- 19% of YEA! Students Start Second Businesses
- 50% of YEA! Students Continue Business for More Than 1 Year
- 49% of YEA! Students are Female
- 56% of YEA! Students are Underrepresented Minorities
- YEA! Students have been awarded over a half million dollars in scholarships as a result of their involvement in YEA!
- 870 students have graduated from YEA! And have launched 552 enterprises.
- 7,300 business and community leaders have supported the students’ experiences as YEA! Volunteers.
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy: www.yeausa.org/