Our Teen Programs
Youth Entrepreneur Institute offers four entrepreneurship programs for teens. Each builds entrepreneurial knowledge and artistic abilities, making it possible to transform youth into creative entrepreneurs driven to be apart of DC's creative economy.
Explore our four hands-on entrepreneurship programs for teens
Artpreneur Academy
Offered in Fall and Summer | Paid Experience
During this program, teens develop, launch, and run their own artistic businesses. Youth learn graphic arts, apparel making, commercial production, design and business acumen. They learn technical skills related to artistic career clusters, how to use professional graphic software and how to operate commercial machinery ( heat press, vinyl cutters/plotters, large format printers, screenpress, embroidery,sublimation ,DTG machines) to design and create their own artistic products.
MBSYEP Summer Internship
Offered in the Summer | Paid Experience
During this 6-week program, teens test business ideas to earn revenue. They also learn and practice business development, finance, and marketing concepts. During the culminating $1,000 Pitch Competition, each aspiring entrepreneur pitches their business to a panel of experts and sells their products and services to real customers.
STE(a)M Studio's
Offered in Fall and Spring | Qualifies for DCPS Volunteer Hours
During this product design program, teens learn and apply the Design Thinking process to YEI Social Enterprises and Community Projects. Each class track is approximately 18 hours (8 learning hrs & 10 hrs dedicated to project) Studios Classes includes:
- BizBeauty ( cosmetic & candle making activities)
- BizTee (pro-bono apparel making, for deserving local nonprofits and schools)
- BizMake ( laser cutting, 3d printing, website development and prototyping.)
- BizGrow ( nutrition, community garden, agriculture and food science)
- BizKits ( help design and create “businesses-in-boxes,” and “STEM kits” designed for children ages 9-13.)
The goal of the studio classes and projects are to introduce youth to technical STE(a)M skills through the design thinking process while helping them build tools for advocacy and civic engagement in their communities.
Smart Hustle Incubator
Offered in Fall and Summer | Paid Experience
Participants must have completed our Academy, Studios, OR Summer Internship program. During this year round internship, teen entrepreneurs-in-residence spend a minimum of 125 hours and a maximum of up to 230 hours directly managing their business, focusing on website, social media, and finances. They gain hands-on experience working with local entrepreneurs and their peers. Participants also complete 25 hours of in-class coursework focused on professional development.
College & Career-Readiness
We inspire higher academic engagement and achievement while nurturing skills necessary for college and career success. By successfully completing our programs, teens can also earn college credit through our partners.
Financial Wellness
Teens in our Smart Hustle Incubator and Summer Internship programs complete our official course on financial wellness, learning money management skills that set them up for long-term success. In our other programs, teens engage in conversations around budgeting and open their own savings accounts. They also receive a lesson on mobile banking and keeping their accounts safe.
College Credit
At YEI, we’re committed to providing valuable, real-world learning experiences that go beyond the classroom. Participants in select programs have the unique opportunity to earn 3 lower-level college credits in Business through our partner institution. Eligibility for youth to receive these college credits requires participation in one of YEI’s Business Pitch Competitions and passing the optional BizInnovator exam.
Understanding that traditional test-taking isn’t everyone’s strength, and some showcase their learning better by doing. We’re excited to announce that YEI is currently working on starting the process to get our program accredited by the American Council on Education. Sometime in the near future, this will enable us to award college credits based on practical achievements, such as the completion of a business plan and pitch, rather than solely on exam results. This initiative will open doors for students to demonstrate their learning through action, aligning with our belief in the power of ‘learning by doing.’
Stay tuned for more updates as we work towards make early college credit more accessible and rewarding for our students!
Support Our Accreditation Journey
YEI is currently on a path to secure accreditation from the American Council on Education, a process that requires significant investment, including a fee of $11,000. Achieving this accreditation will enable us to offer college credits to students who excel in our programs through practical accomplishments, without the stress of traditional exams. Your donation directly contributes to this goal, enabling us to make higher education more accessible to aspiring young entrepreneurs.
