For Kids Who Mean Business
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is an innovative, 7-month program that transforms Loudoun County middle and high school students into real-life entrepreneurs and business owners. This program is presented by the Loudoun Chamber Foundation and the Loudoun Economic Development Authority.
2025-2026 Young Entrepreneurs Academy Application
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YEA! Class Details
In this class, students will:
- develop business ideas
- write business plans
- conduct market research
- be mentored by local businessmen and women
- pitch plans to a panel of investors
- become ready to launch their own legal, fully formed companies and social movements
Complete with guest speakers from the local business community and behind-the-scenes trips to local businesses, the projects-based YEA! approach empowers students to take charge of their futures in a profound way.
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy is not only a wonderful tool to teach students about business, but also a great way to build confident leaders with values. An excellent instrument to unify the business and educational communities, YEA! continues to expand across the country to fulfill our mission of teaching more students how to make a job, not just take a job.
Interested in being a YEA! mentor? Contact Program Coordinator, Faith Shoup.
2025-2026 Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Nikki Daruwala
Investor Panel Sponsors
Scholarship Sponsors
Personal Sponsor
Scott Loftis
CEO Roundtable Sponsor
The CEO Woman
YEA! Mentoring Host – Venture X
YEA! Supporter
Worldgate, llc
Class Host – The Building People
Thank you to our Class of 2026 YEA! Mentors:
Reggie Baker, Black Connoisseur Consulting
Valérie Beaudoin, George C. Marshall International Center
John Bell, First Citizens Bank
Fred Briggs, Applied Impact Robotics
Kim Curran, In Two Places
Shannon Curvey, Function-n-Fitness
Brandon Ferris, Loudoun VA Economic Development
Angelica Hayag, Data Storage Science
Robyn James, Birdie Everything llc
Raj Kalra, MoverJunction / Optimysis
Sharmeen Khan, Interim Healthcare
Aravind Koda, AWS
Colleen Lovelace, Lighthouse Mental Health Network
Jacob MacIntyre, Aperçu Eyewear
Meredith Nicklas, The CFO Solution, LLC
Viviane Okorie, Shepherd Ride
Eric Retzlaff, Northwestern Mutual
Ferri Riar, Orblynx Academy
Sugam Riaz, Bank of Clark
Melanie Scoggins, Town of Leesburg Economic Development
Tim Shinbara, Economic Development Advisory Commission / SkyRFID
Marty Shoup, Blue Lion Multimedia
Rajat Ravinder Varuni, SuccessKPI
YEA! Class of 2026 – Graphic Design Sponsors
AP Creative Solutions, LLC Mike Burns
Emily Reid Designs Nest-Egg Digital
Halo Designs Paperfish Creative
Kpthree.com Soaring Heart Design Studio
Maple Street Design, LLC
Class of 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities
Platinum Sponsors
Investment of $5,000
- Logo recognition on all marketing materials
- Recognition in all newsletters and press releases related to the program
- Speaking opportunity at YEA! Graduation and four tickets to the event
- One company rep on YEA! Investor Panel ($500 investment capital included in sponsorship)
- Logo recognition at the Annual Loudoun Small Business Awards Ceremony and recognition from the podium
- Recognition from podium at YEA! Investor Panel and YEA! Graduation
- Exhibit table, two tickets, and an opportunity to address the audience for two minutes at a Business @ Breakfast event
- Four tickets to the YEA! Investor Panel
- Opportunity for company rep to serve as class volunteer (guest speaker, web developer, etc.)
YEA! Investor Panel Sponsors
Investment of $3,000
- Logo recognition on all marketing materials*
- Recognition from podium at YEA! Investor Panel and YEA! Graduation
- One company rep on Investor Panel ($500 investment capital included in sponsorship)
- Two tickets to the Investor Panel and Invitation to Graduation
- Opportunity for company rep to serve as class volunteer (guest speaker, web developer, etc.)
Scholarship Sponsors
Investment of $2,500
- Scholarships used to fund the tuition of underrepresented student populations
- Logo recognition on all marketing materials*
- Recognition from the podium at YEA! Investor Panel and Graduation
- Two tickets to the YEA! Investor Panel and Invitation to Graduation
- Opportunity for company rep to serve as a class volunteer (guest speaker, web developer, etc.)
CEO Roundtable Sponsor
Exclusive, One Available, Investment of $1,000
- Logo on signage at CEO Roundtable event
- Name recognition on all marketing materials*
- Recognition from the podium at YEA! Investor Panel and Graduation
- Two tickets to the Investor Panel event
- Opportunity for company rep to serve as a class volunteer (guest speaker, web developer, etc.)
Graduation Sponsor
Exclusive, One Available, Investment of $1,500
- Logo on signage at YEA! Graduation
- Name recognition on all marketing materials*
- Recognition from the podium at YEA! Investor Panel and Graduation
- Two tickets to the Investor Panel event
- Opportunity for company rep to serve as a class volunteer (guest speaker, web developer, etc.)
YEA! Supporter
Investment of $500
• Exposure and name recognition on YEA! Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Website
• Recognition from the podium at YEA! Investor Panel and YEA! Graduation
• Two tickets to the Investor Panel event
• Opportunity to support Loudoun youth to become successful entrepreneurs
