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.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2025–26 cohort. Because of the hands-on and intensive nature of this program, there is an application and interview process. We ask that applicants thoughtfully and thoroughly complete the application below. Selected students will be invited to interview, and those who are a strong fit will receive an acceptance letter within one week of their interview. We look forward to getting to know you through your application!