Sam’s Club and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) have collaborated to launch the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) to drive youth entrepreneurship in over 100 U.S. communities. Thirteen Chambers of Commerce across the U.S. received $5,000 each in startup funds to launch YEA! – a $2,500 donation from Sam’s Club matched by $2,500 from the USCCF. As a result, 13 new YEA! chapters will launch this year, opening doors for students ages 11 to 18 to start a real business or social movement in just one academic year.
“YEA! will help Chambers of Commerce to fulfill their goals of supporting small business development in their communities by training their future leaders and helping them to establish strong, lasting relationships with their hometown business communities,” says Gayle Jagel, Founder & CEO, YEA!. “This program will enhance business education for students and provide a unique, challenging and fulfilling experience for all participants.”
Over a course of 30 weeks, students will form, pitch and launch their business ideas with support from mentors and local entrepreneurs in fields including graphic design, web development, law, accounting, retail, manufacturing, technology. Upon completion of the YEA! program, students will own and operate fully functioning businesses.
“The U.S. Chamber Foundation is delighted to team up with YEA! and Sam’s Club, and we look forward to together inspiring young people through the spirit of the free enterprise system,” said Carolyn Cawley, managing director, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “By offering support for these educational programs, we hope to emphasize what a powerful tool entrepreneurship can be.”
Here are the 13 startup fund recipients:
Athens Chamber of Commerce, Athens, Texas
Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, Alexander City, Alabama
Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, Loxahachee, Florida
Hannibal Chamber of Commerce, Hannibal, Missouri
Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Lakeland, Florida
Montrose Chamber of Commerce, Montrose, Colorado
National Association of Women Business Owners Detroit & Detroit Chamber of Commerce, Detroit, Michigan
Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, Paso Robles, California
Richland Area Chamber of Commerce, Mansfield, Ohio
Templeton Chamber of Commerce, Templeton, California
Union County Economic Development Partnership, Marysville, Ohio
Harford County Chamber of Commerce, Bel Air, Maryland
Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, Santa Rosa, Florida
“Sam’s Club has helped small businesses startup and succeed since we opened 32 years ago,” said Rosalind Brewer, CEO and President of Sam’s Club. “We are thrilled to help the Young Entrepreneurs Academy deliver entrepreneurial education to young people in the communities we serve.”
