Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Information Session
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) will hold a virtual information session on Thursday, August 27, 2020, at 6:30 PM for potential applicants and their parents. YEA! is a nine-month program of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Frisco ISD and the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, which guides middle school and high school students through the process of starting a real business. YEA! Frisco teaches students not only the importance of social and business entrepreneurship but also the process by which one establishes a business enterprise or social movement.
During the information session, the students and parents will have the opportunity to hear from and ask questions of the program managers, past YEA! Frisco graduates, and will even get to hear from Mayor Jeff Cheney. As of now, this year’s program, including applicant interviews, will be 100% virtual.
“It always amazes me to see the growth of the students as they start to understand their business idea, see that it is possible to launch a real business, and then to see that transformation from a wide-eyed and optimistic student turn into a laser-focused and enthusiastic student-CEO with a passion for their business ideas,” said Peter Burns, one of YEA! Frisco Program Managers. “Seeing this passion drives our entire team of volunteers to push these students further out of their comfort zone, and then stand back and watch them accomplish amazing things!”
Each year in the spring, the students also compete for funding during an investor panel event with the overall winner being awarded the opportunity to compete in The YEA! Saunders Scholars Competition. This competition brings together the top student businesses from each YEA! class around the country to compete to win scholarship dollars, and business start-up prize packages.
YEA! Frisco is celebrating its tenth anniversary this program year. Program Managers Keith Britton, Peter Burns, Kevin Thompson, and Tony Felker (President/CEO of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce) are credited for starting the YEA! Frisco chapter which was the first chapter west of the Mississippi.
“With the help of the program managers and volunteers from the business community, the student CEOs receive guidance in starting a real business, including business plan development, pitching to the investor panel, obtaining funding, launching the venture, managing media campaigns, e-commerce and web development, and more,” shared Felker. “The end result of the YEA! program, unlike other simulation models, is a fully formed and functioning business, which is carried on by students after graduation.”
The links for the application and registration for the August 27th Information Session can be found at friscochamber.com/young-entrepreneurs-academy. Applications are due by 5:00 PM on Friday, September 11, 2020
