About

The Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP!) is a pre-college business and entrepreneurship summer institute for high school students (typically rising 10th–12th graders). Hosted by a global network of universities—including Yale, UC Berkeley, and Stanford—the flagship YEP program is a free 5-to-7-week incubator designed to develop the next generation of business leaders. The program focuses on entrepreneurial thinking, startup ideation, and real-world venture simulation, concluding with a formal Pitch Night.

While the university-chapter programs are free, other intensive 10-day formats within the YEP umbrella range in cost, such as the UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth, which lists 2026 tuition at $7,450 (in-state) and $7,950 (out-of-state). Enrollment for 2026 is capacity-limited and rolling, requiring an application that demonstrates a student's motivation to address community or societal issues through innovation.

The curriculum is divided into two parts: an hour focused on technical skills—such as market research, business modeling, and cost management—followed by an hour of "doing," where students apply these skills to their own ventures. A significant addition to the 2026 curriculum is the inclusion of AI-driven market analysis tools and sustainability frameworks.

Instruction is led by university professors and seasoned entrepreneurs (e.g., founders from Tesla or Apple), providing students with professional feedback loops. Unlike theoretical academic programs, YEP emphasizes iterative design and customer validation. The experience culminates in final pitch presentations to a panel of local leaders and investors, with some programs (like Champaign Public Library's YEP) offering seed money prizes of up to $5,000. By bridging the gap between high school and the startup ecosystem, YEP provides a substantive, hands-on experience for students eager to pursue entrepreneurship in their future careers.