Member Login | Become a Member | Business Directory
KEY WEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • Visit Key West
    • Community Calendar
    • Getting Here
    • Map & Places of Interest
    • Places to Stay >
      • Lodging Online Booking
    • Places to Dine
    • Things to Do >
      • The Florida Keys & Key West
    • Weddings
    • Sunset Times
  • Live, Work & Relocate
    • New Residents Guide
    • Important Telephone Numbers
    • City of Key West >
      • Utilities
      • Disaster Preparedness Resources
    • Monroe County >
      • School/College Registration
      • Auto/Drivers License Info
      • Fishing/Hunting/Boating Licenses Info
    • Latest Community News
    • Job Listings >
      • Job Board
  • The Chamber
    • Why Join the Chamber >
      • Membership Application
      • Testimonials
      • Member Login
      • Membership Referral
    • Board of Directors >
      • How to Become A Board Member
    • Chamber Staff
    • Chamber Calendar >
      • BBQ Rib Battle
    • Committees
    • Chamber Resources >
      • Business Magazine Archive
      • Business Directory
      • Member Discounts and Affinity Programs
    • Awards >
      • Athena Award Nominations
    • Chamber News >
      • Cybersecurity and Ransomware
    • Photo Gallery
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
  • Foundation
    • Tom Sawyer Five Star Program
    • Teacher Appreciation
    • Past Scholarship Award Winners
  • A Guide to Tourist Development Tax for Home Rentals
  • Economic Partners
  • Quick Facts
Picture
Congrats to the 2024 YEA! Winners:

1st Place - Avery Sir
2nd Place - Blake and Wes Kulaga
​Groundbreaking Program
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a groundbreaking and exciting program that transforms local middle and high school students into real, confident entrepreneurs. Through the year-long program, students in grades 6-12 generate business ideas, conduct market research, write business plans, pitch to a panel of investors, and launch their very own companies.​ The Key West Chamber of Commerce Foundation is excited to be introducing YEA! to Key West.
  • Meets for 25 Weeks (November - May). Includes at least 1 field trip.
  • Held on Tuesdays 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the College of the Florida Keys.
  • Supported by 50 entrepreneurial professionals, including CEO Roundtable.
  • Culminates in Investor Panel ("Shark-Tank"). Opportunity to win seed money.
  • Investor Panel Winner may be invited to National Saunders Competition.
  • Registration Fees: $100 Tuition (24-Week Program).  ​
Student Selection Process 
To apply for YEA!, students must:
• Fill out the YEA Student Application
• Complete the essay and the short answer questions
• Submit a letter of recommendation

Once the completed Application packet is received, students will be asked to come in for an interview. Acceptance in the program is based on all aspects of an application, as well as the personal interview. Prior experience with business is not required!

Community Impact
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy is a life-changing program that positively impacts the entire community. From exciting local business guest lecturers to dynamic field trips to local companies, students learn how to develop and run a real enterprise in a fun, projects-based approach.

BECOME A SPONSOR or VOLUNTEER
HOW BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS CAN GET INVOLVED
Through their interactions with business professionals during the year, YEA! students gain some of the most important knowledge and experience they need to succeed. Local professionals volunteer their time and expertise as guest speakers, mentors, investors, graphic designers, field trip hosts, business plan reviewers, and much more. The time YEA! students spend with adults who encourage their futures is invaluable, and participants often report getting even more out of their participation than they put in to it!

If you are interested in becoming involved with YEA! as a guest speaker, field trip host, or volunteer, contact the Chamber at [email protected] ​or call 305.294.2587 

As business leaders, we encourage you to nominate creative, motivated students who pursue their goals with tenacity. Nominated students should have a strong work ethic and should demonstrate high levels of effort on a consistent basis. Please nominate students who have an interest in business and/or starting their own company or social movement. A limited number of scholarships are available. Please be aware that the nomination of a student does not guarantee a scholarship.
National Partnerships
Founded in 2004 at the University of Rochester with support from the Kauffman Foundation, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy today serves thousands of students across America. In 2011, the United States Chamber of Commerce and Campaign for Free Enterprise became a national sponsor and partner of the Academy to help celebrate the spirit of enterprise among today’s youth and tomorrow’s future leaders.

Picture
YEA! Mission
Develop and deliver experience-based entrepreneurship programs to young people to:
  • Enable them to transition successfully to adulthood
  • Help them to pursue their dreams by harnessing their creativity and energy
  • Help them transform their ideas into tangible enterprises that create economic and social value for a better world
  • Develop the character of tomorrow’s leaders based on personal principles and values
  • Enable educational institutions and Chambers of Commerce to provide successful and effective entrepreneurship programs for middle and high school students
  • Create a culture of innovation in schools and communities across the nation; an
  • Foster the entrepreneurial mindset in young people, educators, and community members.
YEA! Vision
To be a leader in establishing innovative, experiential entrepreneurship programs for middle and high school students, delivering these programs through colleges and universities, and in high schools and middle schools throughout the country, in close cooperation with local community and business leaders and their organizations. To partner with like-minded organizations to effectively deliver entrepreneurship education to young people across our nation.
 
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy provides a focused introduction to the business world, combining a dynamic, proven curriculum with the experiences of local leaders of industry, community members, educators, and entrepreneurs. The goal of all YEA! classes is for each student to successfully launch their own business.

                                                           
Picture

Sponsors

OnPoint Restaurant Group
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Andy Griffiths
School Board Member, District 2
Picture
Picture
Picture
Appraisal Company of Key West
Conch Republic Seafood Company
Hemingway Home and Museum
Shots & Giggles

Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce.  All Rights Reserved.
510 Greene St., First Floor  |  Key West, FL 33040
[email protected] | sitemap
Picture
  • Visit Key West
    • Community Calendar
    • Getting Here
    • Map & Places of Interest
    • Places to Stay >
      • Lodging Online Booking
    • Places to Dine
    • Things to Do >
      • The Florida Keys & Key West
    • Weddings
    • Sunset Times
  • Live, Work & Relocate
    • New Residents Guide
    • Important Telephone Numbers
    • City of Key West >
      • Utilities
      • Disaster Preparedness Resources
    • Monroe County >
      • School/College Registration
      • Auto/Drivers License Info
      • Fishing/Hunting/Boating Licenses Info
    • Latest Community News
    • Job Listings >
      • Job Board
  • The Chamber
    • Why Join the Chamber >
      • Membership Application
      • Testimonials
      • Member Login
      • Membership Referral
    • Board of Directors >
      • How to Become A Board Member
    • Chamber Staff
    • Chamber Calendar >
      • BBQ Rib Battle
    • Committees
    • Chamber Resources >
      • Business Magazine Archive
      • Business Directory
      • Member Discounts and Affinity Programs
    • Awards >
      • Athena Award Nominations
    • Chamber News >
      • Cybersecurity and Ransomware
    • Photo Gallery
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
  • Foundation
    • Tom Sawyer Five Star Program
    • Teacher Appreciation
    • Past Scholarship Award Winners
  • A Guide to Tourist Development Tax for Home Rentals
  • Economic Partners
  • Quick Facts