For Kids Who Mean Business
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is an innovative, 7-month program that transforms Loudoun County middle and high school students into real-life entrepreneurs and business owners. This program is presented by the Loudoun Chamber Foundation and the Loudoun Economic Development Authority. Applications for the Class of 2025 are now closed.
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YEA! Class Details
In this class, students will:
- develop business ideas
- write business plans
- conduct market research
- be mentored by local businessmen and women
- pitch plans to a panel of investors
- become ready to launch their own legal, fully formed companies and social movements
Complete with guest speakers from the local business community and behind-the-scenes trips to local businesses, the projects-based YEA! approach empowers students to take charge of their futures in a profound way.
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy is not only a wonderful tool to teach students about business, but also a great way to build confident leaders with values. An excellent instrument to unify the business and educational communities, YEA! continues to expand across the country to fulfill our mission of teaching more students how to make a job, not just take a job.
Interested in being a YEA! mentor? Contact Program Coordinator, Faith Shoup.
2024-2025 Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
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Investor Panel Sponsors
Personal Sponsor
Scott Loftis
Scholarship Sponsors
CEO Roundtable Sponsor
YEA! Supporter
Worldgate, llc
YEA! Mentoring
Venture X
Class Host
The Building People
Thank you to our Class of 2024 YEA! Mentors:
Reggie Baker, Black Connoisseur Consulting
Kindra Dionne, Purpose WorX, LLC & Fifty Leven Wine
Leah Fallon, Birch Tree Bookstore
Brandon Ferris, Loudoun County Economic Development
Tyra Flynn, The Global Local
Tiffany Hundley, Evolving Enterprises
Robyn James, Birdie Everything llc
Raj Kalra, MoverJunction / Optimysis
Lisa Kimball, The ARC of Loudoun
Colleen Lovelace, NM Inc.
Jacob MacIntyre, Aperçu Eyewear
Scott Montgomery, Worldgate, llc
Kelly Pauline, Financial Growth Partners
Eric Retzlaff, Northwestern Mutual
Mark Rider, Marbles Business Solutions
Sherif Said, Esolytics & Strategic Innovation Group
Lee Shabe, Anchor Bar / Xenith Solutions
Marty Shoup, Blue Lion Multimedia
Jordan Smith, Tree of Life Ministries
Matt Tregoning, Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Daniela Williams, Cucinamore, LLC
Krista Woods, GloveStix LLC
Sharon Wright, LoudandClear Marketing
Justin Zubrick, Worldgate, llc
Graphic Design Sponsors:
Additional Corporation Mike Burns
Conveyance Marketing Group Dreamcatcher Creative Studio
Halo Designs Maple Street Design, LLC
Paperfish Creative Vizual, Inc.
Class of 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities
Platinum Sponsors
Investment of $5,000
- Logo recognition on all marketing materials
- Recognition in all newsletters and press releases related to the program
- Speaking opportunity at YEA! Graduation and four tickets to the event
- One company rep on YEA! Investor Panel ($500 investment capital included in sponsorship)
- Logo recognition at the Annual Loudoun Small Business Awards Ceremony and recognition from the podium
- Recognition from podium at YEA! Investor Panel and YEA! Graduation
- Exhibit table, two tickets, and an opportunity to address the audience for two minutes at a Business @ Breakfast event
- Four tickets to the YEA! Investor Panel
- Opportunity for company rep to serve as class volunteer (guest speaker, web developer, etc.)
YEA! Investor Panel Sponsors
Investment of $3,000
- Logo recognition on all marketing materials*
- Recognition from podium at YEA! Investor Panel and YEA! Graduation
- One company rep on Investor Panel ($500 investment capital included in sponsorship)
- Two tickets to the Investor Panel and Invitation to Graduation
- Opportunity for company rep to serve as class volunteer (guest speaker, web developer, etc.)
Scholarship Sponsors
Investment of $2,500
- Scholarships used to fund the tuition of underrepresented student populations
- Logo recognition on all marketing materials*
- Recognition from the podium at YEA! Investor Panel and Graduation
- Two tickets to the YEA! Investor Panel and Invitation to Graduation
- Opportunity for company rep to serve as a class volunteer (guest speaker, web developer, etc.)
CEO Roundtable Sponsor
Exclusive, One Available, Investment of $1,000
- Logo on signage at CEO Roundtable event
- Name recognition on all marketing materials*
- Recognition from the podium at YEA! Investor Panel and Graduation
- Two tickets to the Investor Panel event
- Opportunity for company rep to serve as a class volunteer (guest speaker, web developer, etc.)
Graduation Sponsor
Exclusive, One Available, Investment of $1,500
- Logo on signage at YEA! Graduation
- Name recognition on all marketing materials*
- Recognition from the podium at YEA! Investor Panel and Graduation
- Two tickets to the Investor Panel event
- Opportunity for company rep to serve as a class volunteer (guest speaker, web developer, etc.)
YEA! Supporter
Investment of $500
• Exposure and name recognition on YEA! Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Website
• Recognition from the podium at YEA! Investor Panel and YEA! Graduation
• Two tickets to the Investor Panel event
• Opportunity to support Loudoun youth to become successful entrepreneurs
