YEA! Young Entrepreneurs Academy

Changing Entrepreneurial Education For Kids Who Mean Business.

Greater South Bay (Los Angeles) Students in Grades 6-12

APPLY to YEA! TODAY

STUDENT APPLICATION

Application Deadline: September 18, 2024

Registration Fees: Pay Here.

YEA! Scholarship Application (Fillable) 2024

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Groundbreaking Program

Founded in 2004 at the University of Rochester with support from the Kauffman Foundation, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a groundbreaking and exciting program that transforms local middle and high school students into real, confident entrepreneurs. Through the year-long program, students in grades 6-12 generate business ideas, conduct market research, write business plans, pitch to a panel of investors, and launch their very own companies.

Meets for 24 Weeks (October - May). Includes at least 1 field trip.
Held on Wednesdays 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM at Mira Costa High School (Manhattan Beach).
Supported by 50 entrepreneurial professionals, including CEO Roundtable.
Culminates in Investor Panel ("Shark-Tank"). Opportunity to win seed money.
Investor Panel Winner may be invited to National Saunders Competition.
Registration Fees: $20 Application. $895 Tuition (24-Week Program). YEA! Scholarship Application https://www.manhattanbeachchamber.com/assets/pdf/YEA%21+Scholarship+Application+%28Fillable%29+2023(Fillable) 2024

Student Eligibility

Eligible students are motivated and self-starting 6th-12th graders who either live in or attend school in the Greater South Bay of Los Angeles, California:

The Beach Cities & Palos Verdes Peninsula: El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes
The Southernmost Neighborhoods of the City of Los Angeles: Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, San Pedro, Wilmington
Inland cities of the South Bay: Hawthorne, Gardena, Lawndale, Lomita, Carson, Inglewood
Unincorporated areas of L.A. County: Del Aire, Other small unincorporated "county strip" areas of Los Angeles County

Contact: YEAmb@manhattanbeachchamber.com

Easy Application

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a life-changing program, which positively impacts students and the entire community alike. From exciting local business mentors and guest lecturers to dynamic field trips to local companies, students learn how to develop and run an actual enterprise in a fun, project-based approach. Simply complete the YEA! Application Form and pay the nominal Application Fee. Upon application review, students may be contacted for an interview. Upon acceptance, students will be guided to complete the registration process.

Contact: YEAmb@manhattanbeachchamber.com

Meet the YEA! 2024 Winner

Maia Rocha 11^th grader at Mira Costa High School, took home the 1^st Place award with her business Doing Done. She demonstrated exceptional innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, Maia was awarded a start-up investment of $1,700 for her productivity application, Doing Done. Her outstanding presentation and business concept also earned her the prestigious role of representing her class at the upcoming Saunders Scholars competition in Rochester, New York this May. Check out Maia's Doing Done app

Meet the YEA! 2023 Winner

Lila Mokhtari from Manhattan Beach, 9^th grader at Mira Costa High School, took home the 1^st Place award with her business Maji. It can be found at www.majisoap.com. She takes home a $30,000 Scholarship to the Rochester Institute of Technology, a full tuition scholarship to the Golisano Institute, and a $5,000 cash prize.

Meet the YEA! 2022 Winner

Dallas Nurre - 1st Place Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA) and 3rd Place RIT Saunders National Competition - invented The Reptile Rover, a wearable sling for pet reptiles. A venture sparked by his desire to bring owners and their pets closer through doing more activities together, Nurre's energetic presentation style, coupled with his well-crafted business plan, won over sponsors and judges alike. 12-year-old Nurre was awarded start-up funds and a scholarship to the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Nurre is also an accomplished water polo player. Nurre plans to, “grow my business to much larger heights and expand as much as I can. You’re going to see Reptile Rovers in local pet stores soon.” Nurre credits YEA for his success and adds, "Now, instead of just being a kid, I’m the CEO of a company.” … (Read more.)

Testimonial

"My son has had so many great educational experiences in MBUSD, but the one I wouldn't trade for the world is Young Entrepreneurs Academy. In a few short months I saw a 12 year old develop an understanding of business that most of us don't comprehend until adulthood. He now speaks comfortably about how products are designed, businesses are built, and ideas are transformed into sources of income. To this day he collaborates and presents ideas confidently with industry professionals (more than 2x to 3x his age) as he continues to build the ReptileRovers.com brand. The instructors and mentors at YEA both informed and inspired him in a way that has forever changed his life for the better. It has been an invaluable opportunity and one that every parent should encourage their child to explore."

Lara Nurre - Parent

YEA! Mission

Develop and deliver experience-based entrepreneurship programs to young people to:

Enable them to transition successfully to adulthood
Help them to pursue their dreams by harnessing their creativity and energy
Help them transform their ideas into tangible enterprises that create economic and social value for a better world
Develop the character of tomorrow’s leaders based on personal principles and values
Enable educational institutions and Chambers of Commerce to provide successful and effective entrepreneurship programs for middle and high school students;
Create a culture of innovation in schools and communities across the nation

Foster the entrepreneurial mindset in young people, educators, and community members. APPLY HERE.

Meet the YEA! Team

Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce - YEA! Program Manager

Contact: YEAmb@manhattanbeachchamber.com

Phone: 310.545.5313

Rachel Thomas - YEA! Instructor

Rachel Thomas has been the YEA instructor since it came to Manhattan Beach in 2015. Her English degrees from Truman State University (BA) and University of Iowa (MA) coupled with 29 years of teaching, allows Rachel to reach students of varied learning styles effectively. With additional certificates from the University of Southern California (Business Management), the University of California at Irvine (GATE), and the Journalism Education Association (Journalism Educator), the Manhattan Beach Unified School District has been fortunate to have Rachel as a power-house English teacher for over 22 years of her three-decade career, initially at Manhattan Beach Middle School and currently at Mira Costa High School. Originally from historic, bridge-building Rock Island, IL, Rachel honed her entrepreneurial skills by co-managing a Tour Bus company and today at YEA. Contact: rachthomas@me.com

Ro Schreiner - YEA! Program Support

Ro Schreiner is a mainstay in the Manhattan Beach educational scene. Completing her undergraduate work at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Ro also holds degrees from the University of Southern California (Liberal Studies) and Pepperdine University (Psychology). Retiring after 51 years as a History Teacher at Manhattan Beach Middle School, including 24 years as their Associate Student Board (ASB) instructor, Ro continues her mission to support youth through the Young Entrepreneurs Academy. Additionally, she serves on numerous committees including the Library Commission and the Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council. Ro's energy for teaching is only matched by her passion for travel, having visited every country she taught about to 7th graders, plus having impressively completed the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage with her husband. Contact: schreiner.ro@gmail.com