Get ‘Em While They’re Young, By Sponsoring Youth Entrepreneurship
- 5 Comments
- December 3rd, 2008
One of the ways companies are developing loyalty among entrepreneurs and small businesses is to get to them early on — before they’ve established loyalties elsewhere.
And make no mistake about it, entrepreneurs are getting younger and younger these days. Youth entrepreneurship initiatives are a growth area today.
A new report, “Youth Entrepreneurship Education in America“ (PDF) points to some interesting statistics and programs. Consider that:
- Over 2,000 (or two-thirds) of U.S. colleges and universities now teach entrepreneurship.
- Gainesville, Florida has the Buchholz High School Academy of Entrepreneurship, teaching 200 students annually
- Cleveland, Ohio recently opened E-Prep (the Entrepreneurship Preparedness Academy), the city’s first school devoted to the use of Entrepreneurship Education, serving 6th – 8th graders.
- There are numerous national and state level award programs for youth entrepreneurs — ranging from the NFIB Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards, to West Virginia’s business plans and North Carolina’s “Hop on the Bus” competition, targeting grades 9-12.
Your company could consider supporting a university entrepreneurship program or a middle- or high-school level entrepreneurship program through donation of equipment, involvement of company executives and/or monetary support. Or consider financially supporting a youth entrepreneurship award program — prizes may be very affordable, at a few hundred dollars each.
Don’t go overboard, though. Remember that some of these youths may not end up following entrepreneurship as a career path — or it may be years before they are in a position to actually buy your products and services. This is a long-term brand building and community giving strategy, not a near-term revenue driver.
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I think it’s great that colleges are teaching students about entrepreneurship. With lots of young adults turning towards starting online businesses, it’s nice that they have the opportunity to obtain knowledge about business.
ReplyGreat article Anita. I would add one national resource for individuals seeking more information about entrepreneurship education. The Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education
represent 100+ member organizations dedicated to educating young people about entrepreurship. http://www.entre-ed.org.
George Waters
ReplyEDTEC New YouthEntrepreneurs
Camden, New Jersey
http://www.edtecinc.com
When my children want a special toy I take them right over to the toy on the shelf and show them the price tag. Then I kneel down to there level, look them right in the eye and tell them they can have this toy and any other if they work for it. I then do some quick math and tell them how many chores they have to do to earn that money. My oldest is 5 so I use extra chores for him to earn money, keeping in mind that he still has to do his regular chores. I realize that this is more a teaching of work ethic than being an entrepreneur but I believe it is a foundation for all successful entrepreneurs.
ReplyFor more information, email him at artm@the4hourworkday.net or visit his website at http://www.the4hourworkday.net.
I think this is fantastic and I love to see these programs popping up everywhere. These children represent our future. Someday our problems will be theirs. Promoting entrepreneurship really sends a message to the youth that they are in control as well. They do have the power to create change and become whatever it is that they envision themselves to be. These programs build confidence and promote creativity and individual spirit. I thi”nk they’re wonderful and someday, we may all be truly thankful for them.
“Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
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