Greater Macon

Chamber of Commerce
305 Coliseum Dr, Macon, GA 31217
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Young Entrepreneurs Academy

In 2016, the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce launched the first Georgia-based Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) program in Macon-Bibb County, with support from local community sponsors, as well as with the help of local partners: Mercer University, Bibb County School District and SparkMacon.

Over the course of the program, students learn how to:

  • Brainstorm business ideas
  • Write a business plan
  • Interact with business professionals
  • Pitch their business plan to potential “investors” (think “Shark Tank”!)
  • Obtain funding
  • Legally register their businesses
  • Participate in a Trade Show
  • Actually launch their own businesses or social movements
Click here to view a YEA! Macon Presentation about the program.
Click here to view the YEA! Macon Overview.

YEA! Macon 2017-2018 Schedule
  • Application Deadline: August 31, 2017
  • Acceptance Notification Day: September 15, 2017
  • Student and Parent Orientation: October 3, 2017, at 6 p.m.
  • First Day of Class: October 10, 2017
  • Last Day of Class: May 22, 2018
YEA! Macon classes meet each Tuesday, from October 2017 through May 2018, from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m., excluding school holidays, at Mercer University's Innovation Center. Click here for a campus map.

YEA! Macon Special Events
  • Investor Panel: April 7, 2018, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Graduation: May 22, 2018, at 6:30 p.m.
  • Trade Show: June 1, 2018, 5 – 8 p.m.
YEA! Macon 2016-2017 Event Photos Student Application & Selection Process

Who Can Apply?

YEA! Macon welcomes applications from students in grades 6 through 12, who are between 11 and 18 years old, attending public, private and home schools in the Macon-Bibb County area. Prior business experience is not required, nor is it required to have a business idea prior to the start of class.

How Do I Apply?

Students passionate about business can apply for the YEA! Macon 2017-2018 program by completing the following:
  • Submit the YEA! Program Application, including the essay and short answer questions
  • Submit a transcript (via application, email or mail)
  • Submit a letter of recommendation (via application, email or mail)
Program Applications are due by August 31, 2017!

Once the completed application is received, students and parents will be invited to attend an in-person interview. Acceptance into the program is based on all aspects of the completed application, as well as the personal interview.

YEA! Macon Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition for the program is $695 per student, and there is limited need-based financial assistance.

To apply for scholarships for the YEA! Macon 2017-2018 program, complete the following:
  • Submit the YEA! Scholarship Application (via email or mail)
  • Submit a copy of both the parent/guardian’s and the student’s 2016 federal tax return, if applicable (via email or mail)

Scholarship applications are due by August 31, 2017!

Community Involvement

There are many opportunities for local community and business leaders to help guide these future CEOs, including being a guest speaker, field trip host and mentor.

Click here to view a list of Community Volunteer Opportunities

For More Information

Contact Nadia Osman:
Workforce and Business Development Manager, Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce
Email: nosman.yea@maconchamber.com
Phone: 478.621.2026

Social Media

Click here to view the YEA! Macon Facebook page
Click here to view the YEA! Macon Twitter page

Overview
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a groundbreaking and cutting-edge program that takes students in middle and high school, ages 11 to 18, through the process of starting and launching a real business or social movement over the course of an academic year.

Throughout the class, students develop business ideas, write business plans, pitch their plans to a panel of investors for real funding, then actually launch and run their own real, fully-formed companies.

Complete with dynamic guest speakers from the local business community and exciting behind-the-scenes field trips to local companies, the fun, project-based YEA! approach empowers students to take charge of their futures in a profound way.

Background
YEA! was founded in 2004, at the University of Rochester, with support from the Kauffman Foundation, and now has backing from both the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Sam’s Club. Today, YEA! has expanded into over 100 communities in the United States, and it even has programs in India.

Click here to view the YEA! National website.

Benefits to the Community

  • Develop educated, motivated workforce and the next generation of CEOs
  • Generate excitement in the community
  • Create professional networks for students
  • Connect students and business professionals
  • Connect educators and administrators with business professionals
  • A fun and unique opportunity for business professionals to mentor youth
  • Foster business and job creation in the area

YEA! Inaugural Class



 YEA! Macon Investor Panel Winners


Sponsors