YEA! Chicago

Contact Info

(773) 273-9458

info@femalestrong.org

444 N. Michigan Avenue

Suite 3450

Chicago, IL 60611

YEA! PROGRAM

Empowering Girls to Step into BUSINESS and LIFE

Embrace your passion.

Live your dream.

Change the world.

With the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), girls are building skills and confidence to thrive in business and life.

The YEA! Program is focused on building the skills and confidence for girls to thrive in business and life. Over the course of six months, students learn how to select, research, vet, develop, and market a business. From idea generation to pitching their businesses for startup investment funds, this course is truly transformative.

As the only all-girls YEA! chapter in the United States, this powerful curriculum is about how to do business. The program focuses on the principles and values that go into doing business well—including communication, business etiquette, accountability, integrity, courage, and perseverance—because as we know, becoming an entrepreneur isn’t for the faint of heart!

Our six-month after-school program begins every October and ends in April. Classes for the 2025-26 cohort start in October 2025 and are held in downtown Chicago on Wednesday evenings from 4:30 to 7pm, except for holidays and winter break.

YEA! Program Application

How it works

When?
Class is held once a week from 4:30 to 7pm from October 2025 through April 2026.

Please note that class days and times are subject to change depending on level of interest and availability of students. We give our best effort to offer our programs at a time that is mutually convenient for students, instructors, and staff. Thank you for your flexibility!
Who?
Middle and high school girls (ages 11-18) in the Chicago area are eligible to apply.
What?
Students take a business from idea generation to pitching it to a panel of investors to receive startup investment funds. Throughout the program, girls learn how to select, research, vet, develop, and market a business.
Where?
Classes and YEA! related events, including the Investor Panel, are held in Downtown Chicago. All details are shared in advance of the October start date.

If you will not be able to attend in-person class sessions, please do not submit the application. Reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for understanding!
Cost?
The total program cost is $695. We can work with you to devise a payment plan, and financial assistance is available for selected students with proven financial need.
How?
If you are interested in applying for the our 2025-2026 cohort that will meet in downtown Chicago, please complete the application below.
YEA! Program Application

Interested in Mentoring a Student?

We are searching for Business Mentors for the fall YEA! Chicago cohort. Over the course of 6 to 10 weeks, your expertise shapes a student’s vision, guides them to create a robust business plan, and prepares them for their pitch to the Investor Panel. These 6th through 12th grade students are the future of business, and you could be their guiding light!

Interested? Submit the interest form below!

Business Mentor Interest Form