YEA! is a groundbreaking program that takes students between the ages of 11 and 18 through the process of starting and launching a real business or social movement over the course of an academic year. By the end of the class, students own and operate fully-formed and functioning businesses, which may be carried on after their graduation from the program. YEA! aims to teach students at an early age how to make a job, not just take a job. It is the ONLY pre-college program developed by an entrepreneur, at a university, with support from a major entrepreneurial foundation, the Kauffman Foundation, and the United States Chamber of Commerce.

“We are thrilled to have the support of BD Medical to expand our YEA! Program to the Salt Lake Community College-Miller Campus,” says Gayle Jagel, the CEO and Founder of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy. “This will mean so much to the students as they make strides toward launching their businesses this fall.”

Presenting Sponsors will be given an exclusive judging seat when the students present their big ideas at their first Investor Panel Event for REAL start-up dollars. Judges will be able to provide students with positive feedback and encouragement as they pursue their passions. Additionally, presenting sponsors will be publicly recognized for their invaluable contribution to the community at all YEA! signature events throughout the year including the YEA! Investor Panel Event, YEA! CEO Roundtable, YEA! Media Meet and Greet, and the YEA! Trade Show.

“We are more than happy to be a part of promoting entrepreneurship in our local students,” says Jeff Jones, BD Medical. “We believe in providing the means to encourage these young students to embrace their creativity and passions. We hope that empowering them at such a young age will inspire them to do even greater things in the future. Investing in causes like this one is priceless.”

 The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) 

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a groundbreaking and exciting year long class that transforms middle and high school students into real, confident entrepreneurs. Throughout the class, students develop business ideas, write business plans, conduct market research, pitch their plans to a panel of investors, and actually launch and run their own real, legal, fully formed companies and social movements. Founded in 2004 at the University of Rochester with support from the Kauffman Foundation, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy today serves thousands of students in communities across America. For more information about the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, please call 585.272.3535 or visit www.yeausa.org 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment. The U.S. Chamber Foundation and Campaign for Free Enterprise are national sponsors and partners of YEA!, helping to promote the spirit of enterprise among today’s youth and tomorrow’s future leaders. 

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Partnership 

In 2011, the United States Chamber of Commerce and Campaign for Free Enterprise became a national sponsor and partner of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy to help promote the spirit of enterprise among today’s youth and tomorrow’s future leaders. Through coordination with its network of local chambers of commerce, the U.S. Chamber has helped communities across the country adopt the YEA! program. Together, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are celebrating the power and promise of young people in business and encouraging the next greatest generation to make a job, not just take a job.