YEA! Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about the Young Entrepreneurs Academy Program

  1. What age group is accepted into the YEA! Program?
    The YEA! program is looking for students in middle or high school that live and/or attend school in Loudoun County.
  2. How long is the program?
    The program runs from October 2024 to May 2025.
  3. Where and when are the classes held?
    The class is held at The Loudoun Chamber office in Leesburg from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Tuesday evenings. (We will follow LCPS holiday schedule for Spring and Winter breaks. (If LCPS closes for inclement weather, we will meet virtually.)
  4. Are there any scholarship opportunities?
    Yes, the Chamber offers scholarships to students who are a part of the LCPS CAMPUS or AVID programs or if a student is on free and reduced status. Payment plans are also offered. If your student is not a part of the CAMPUS or AVID programs but you are seeking scholarship assistance, please contact YEA! Program Coordinator, Faith Shoup, at fshoup@loudounchamber.org.
  5. How much is tuition?
    $950.00
  6. How many students are accepted into the program?
    Class size will be restricted to 20-24 students for the Class of 2025.
  7. Does my student need to fill out the application? To be considered for the YEA! program all applicants must fill out the application completely. If your application meets the programs standards, you will be asked to come in for an interview with a panel. After your interview you will be notified of your admission status.
  8. How much time do the students spend outside the classroom working on their businesses? We make sure to give the students plenty of time in class to work on their businesses. We like to say that the students get out of the program as much as they put into the program.
  9. In order to apply for the program does my student need to have a business idea?
    No, students do not need to have a business idea to enter into the program.
  10. Is there extra help offered to the students?
    Yes! There are multiple office hours for students to utilize outside of the classroom.
  11. What do students do during the 7 months of YEA!?
    YEA! students learn how to generate business ideas, conduct market research, write business plans, pitch to a panel of investors, and become ready to launch their very own real companies. There are several events throughout the course in which the students will participate culminating with the Investor Panel, where each student will present a 3-minute pitch presentation of their business to a panel of judges. The top six highest scored students will win seed money that may be used to start their business.
    YEA! students learn to develop their favorite hobbies, passions, and great ideas into thriving enterprises through a series of classes, guest lectures and fun field trips to local businesses for behind-the-scenes tours while meeting successful entrepreneurs along the way. Students develop self-confidence and self-assurance as they learn that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to.
  12. Can students participate in YEA! for multiple years?
    This is a one-year program for students. After students graduate from the YEA! program, they have the opportunity to be set up with the Small Business Development Center in Leesburg who can help coach and mentor them through their startup. Students also are welcome to stay involved with the program by volunteering as assistant mentors as well as various opportunities to work with the current class.

Last Update: 3/5/2024