Record 850 applicants for Ye! Youth Ecopreneur Programme
Applicants from more than 100 countries applied for the Ye! Youth Ecopreneur Programme 2024. After a rigorous selection process, 125 outstanding participants were chosen to embark on this transformative journey towards creating sustainable solutions for our planet.
The particular focus is on land restoration, to address the urgent need to mitigate environmental degradation and foster biodiversity conservation.
Welcoming the next generation of ecopreneurs
Our kick-off event on 2 May 2024 set the room buzzing with excitement. The event served as a warm welcome to our selected participants, setting the stage for an inspiring and impactful journey ahead.
Bootcamp
Now the participants dive into a 10-week bootcamp to equip them with essential entrepreneurial skills, including:
- Masterclasses: Participants will engage in interactive sessions covering key areas such as business planning, marketing strategies, social media management, and effective pitching techniques.
- Global networking: With over 40 countries represented, participants can connect with like-minded peers, mentors, and industry experts from around the world, fostering collaboration and innovation.
- Pitching competition: During the final week, participants will showcase their businesses, competing for recognition and a spot in the Accelerator stage.
Accelerator stage
The top 25 participants from the bootcamp will advance to the Accelerator stage. Participants will receive customized training and coaching tailored to their businesses. They will also gain access to seed funding and investor networks, particularly for land restoration. Additionally, they will benefit from pro-bono legal services provided by the esteemed Sidley Austin LLC and have preferential access to the Google Startup for Sustainable Development Programme.
Awards
The final journey of the programme lies the Awards stage, where eight exceptional participants from the Accelerator pitch live on stage in front of an international audience for the Youth Ecopreneur Awards. The finalists have the ultimate chance to win the prestigious Youth Ecopreneur Award, with a $10,000 prize, fueling their continued journey towards a sustainable future.
The Ye! Youth Ecopreneur Programme 2024 aims to empower young entrepreneurs who are passionate about making a positive impact on the environment. Through a combination of expert-led masterclasses, networking opportunities, and hands-on experience, participants will be well-equipped to scale their eco-friendly business ventures.
As we gear up for this exciting journey, stay tuned for updates, success stories, and highlights from the Ye! Youth Ecopreneur Programme 2024. Together, we're shaping the future of sustainable entrepreneurship and paving the way for a greener, more sustainable world.
The Ye! Youth Ecopreneur Programme 2024 is hosted by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the G20 Global Land Initiative.
Next year’s cohort
Missed this year’s call? Sign up here to find about the 2025 intake.
About the Ye! Community
The ITC Ye! Community powered by the Youth and Trade Programme is aimed at helping youth entrepreneurs to build scalable and sustainable businesses. The Ye! Community provides access to a global network of youth, mentors and ecosystem enablers, as well as free access to start-up trainings, resources, events and business opportunities.
