Local student entrepreneurs will take the stage beginning at 6 p.m. April 3 at the Devorris Downtown Center to present their business plans before a panel of local leaders of industry and a public audience.

Fifteen students in grades six through 12 representing 11 self-made businesses and social movements from the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneurs Academy will have five minutes to pitch their business plans to prominent members of the local business community during the program’s annual YEA! Investor Panel Event conducted “Shark Tank” style.

The event is free and open to the public.

ABOUT BLAIR COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS ACADEMY

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy, or YEA!, is a class that teaches students between 11 and 18 years old how to start and run their own business, or non-profit organization. The class meets weekly for 25 weeks and is offered locally at Penn State Altoona’s Sheetz Entrepreneurial Center.

The YEA! class provides students with introductions to local entrepreneurs and business leaders; exciting field trips to businesses for a behind-the-scenes experience; and meetings with attorneys, accountants, marketing professionals, graphic designers, manufacturers, internet specialists, and more. All of the resources that students need to start their own businesses are provided—students just need the drive, motivation and enthusiasm to make it happen!

There are a limited number of spots in the class. Applications are accepted, and admissions are determined, on a rolling basis. Early applications are being accepted and reviewed by July 1st. Personal interviews are required to be considered for enrollment.

Classes meet weekly for 3 hours but not during school breaks or holidays. The YEA! class meets during the school day, beginning on 10/31/17 and ending in April . A college scholarship competition takes place in May. Students enrolled in the YEA! classes compete for college scholarships in the Saunders Scholars Bright Ideas Business Plan Competition.

​Tuition for this prestigious program is $495 with limited partial scholarships available.

​If you would like your child to apply, or to hear more about YEA!, call the Chamber at 814-943-8151, email YEA@blairchamber.com, or go to www.yeausa.org to fill out an online application.