Youth + Entrepreneurship = Success

The Youth + Entrepreneurship = Success (YES) program is not just an in-school course, not just an after school program, not just a business education program, and not just a mentorship opportunity. YES is all of these and much more. YES enables students from the Philadelphia community to realize their dreams of developing a business while fostering the skills needed to succeed in school, business, and community life. Our unique program model combines the compulsory aspect of high school and the interactive and engaging components of an after-school course. The YES In-School and After-School programs have students from partnering Philadelphia Academies public schools.

In-School Program

The YES In-School Program has tenth grade students who participate in a semester-long class on entrepreneurship during school hours, coupled with one-on-one mentorship outside the classroom. The curriculum is designed to guide each student through the process of completing a business plan and learning skills such as professional writing, financial literacy, and higher-order problem solving. All participants who successfully complete the course earn credit toward graduation. Students are encouraged to use The Enterprise Center Lab during class hours, where they have access to computers and mentorship from YES instructors to work on their business plan.

The in-school class culminates in a city-wide Business Plan Competition, during which students present their ideas to a panel of judges, participants from other schools, business professionals, teachers, and community leaders. Winners of the competition are invited to join YES' After-School Executive Incubator Program. The Business Plan Competition winners are awarded at the end of each semester during The Excellence Awards luncheon. During the luncheon, the current Executive Incubator students display their businesses. This gives the Executive Incubator students an opportunity to practice their entrepreneurial skills and allows prospective invitees an opportunity to see how their business plans can turn them into entrepreneurs.

After-School Executive Incubator Program

TEC's After School Executive Incubator Program enrolls students for the spring and fall semesters during the academic year, where they receive start-up capital, technical assistance, and other resources needed to implement their business plan. Students learn in a comprehensive and hands-on program that guides them in starting and running their own businesses. YES' Executive Incubator program offers students one-on-one mentorship and a safe space after school to continue developing as youth entrepreneurs. Students are encouraged to use the YES facilities and our state-of-the-art computer lab for additional resources on entrepreneurship and direct attention from the YES staff.

Business Boot Camp

Every summer YES hosts Business Boot Camp, an intensive five-day training program attended by 100 youth annually. Business Boot Camp provides an introduction to business concepts, entrepreneurship and provides the opportunity to meet a host of creative entrepreneurs.

The students participate in lectures given by recognized business leaders, discussions, simulations and other educational and team-building activities. At Business Boot Camp, youth explore five keys themes that are essential to success in business and entrepreneurship: Vision, Networking, Sales, Technology, and Giving Back (Social Entrepreneurship).