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Young Innopreneurs, Inc. offers a diverse range of programs for middle school, high school, college, and year after college to youth and young adults ages 11 to 24 years. Our 14-week program supports young social innovators who are ready to take their big dreams to the marketplace.
Through the program, Young Innopreneurs will learn human-centered design thinking, a creative approach to problem-solving that puts empathy at the center of the process. They will also incorporate the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, a set of 17 goals aimed at creating a better and more sustainable future for all.
In addition to these technical skills, the program also emphasizes relational skills such as empathy, negotiation, team building, community building, and management.
All programs include the following elements
The Entrepreneurial Mindset
- Fostering a growth mindset and redefining success and failure.
- Encouraging exploration of passion and purpose.
Aligning Passion and Purpose
- Emphasizing the importance of aligning passion and purpose with positive social impact and college/career choices.
Paths to Innovation
- Introducing entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, and social entrepreneurship as paths to developing innovative solutions.
- Utilizing the design thinking process to address various student-, community-, company-, and small business-driven challenges.
Presentation Forums and Collaboration
- Providing platforms for students to present their ideas through pitch competitions, student expo fairs, and multimedia presentations.
- Facilitating input and collaboration with local entrepreneurs and businesses.
Program Formats
- 3-Day Immersive 45 Hours Bootcamp
- 14-weeks Program
- 6-weeks Summer Camp
- Annual Changemaker Challenge Competition
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
The Young Innopreneurs, Inc. programs align with the Partnership for 21st Century Skills’ standards and College and Career Ready Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects. The programs aim to achieve the following student outcomes:
- Increased self-awareness and a deeper understanding of passions, interests, and identities.
- Empowerment to recognize and act on problems or opportunities.
- Inspiration to pursue passions and actively engage with communities.
- Expanded possibilities for future careers and potential for creating positive impact.
- Understanding of business operations and their impact on customers and communities.
- Building networks in the local community, including relationships with potential future employers.
- Cultivating a desire to explore diverse experiences and interests as a result of participating in Young Innopreneurs, Inc. programs.
YIEP Feel
Young InnoPreneurs is a program that aims to empower young people with the skills and resources they need to succeed as innovators and entrepreneurs. The program recognizes that the current education system does not adequately prepare students with the necessary soft and innovative skills required to thrive in the 21st-century job market.
To address this gap, Young InnoPreneurs provides a guided changemaking curriculum and programmatic toolkit for students, with four distinct pathways for students at different stages in their entrepreneurial journey. The program’s ultimate goal is to provide lifelong support and a network for students as they pursue meaningful careers in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Young InnoPreneurs has developed programs that support all three pathways for students and has established partnerships that will help students succeed. To further develop and scale the program, Young InnoPreneurs is seeking a social pilot grant of $200,000 to cover salaries, outreach, legal, and travel expenses.
Any Similar Programs?
There are several similar programs that aim to empower young people with entrepreneurial skills and resources. Here are a few examples:
- Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE): NFTE provides entrepreneurship education to young people from under-resourced communities. Their program includes a comprehensive curriculum, mentorship, and access to capital and resources.
- Junior Achievement: Junior Achievement offers entrepreneurship education programs for students in grades K-12. Their programs aim to teach students financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship skills.
- Young Entrepreneur Institute: Young Entrepreneur Institute provides entrepreneurship education to students in grades K-12. Their program includes curriculum, mentorship, and resources to help students start and run their own businesses.
- The Future Founders Foundation: The Future Founders Foundation provides resources and support to young entrepreneurs, including mentorship, workshops, and funding opportunities.
These programs and others like them aim to provide young people with the skills and resources they need to succeed as entrepreneurs and innovators.
Any Curriculums?
Yes, many entrepreneurship education programs have a structured curriculum that covers a range of topics related to starting and running a business. Here are a few examples of entrepreneurship curriculums:
- Lean LaunchPad: Lean LaunchPad is a widely-used curriculum for entrepreneurship education that teaches students how to create and test business models using the lean startup methodology. The curriculum includes tools for customer discovery, business model canvas, and minimum viable products (MVPs).
- Youth Entrepreneurs: Youth Entrepreneurs provides a comprehensive entrepreneurship curriculum that includes 12 courses covering topics such as opportunity recognition, market analysis, financial management, and more.
- Startup Experience: Startup Experience is a hands-on entrepreneurship curriculum that teaches students how to start and run a business in a simulated environment. The program includes modules on ideation, market research, product development, and more.
- Kauffman FastTrac: Kauffman FastTrac is a flexible curriculum for entrepreneurship education that includes both online and in-person courses. The program covers topics such as market research, financial management, and business planning.
Each program has its own unique approach and may focus on different aspects of entrepreneurship, but all aim to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed as entrepreneurs.
How About Social
Innovation Curriculum?
Yes, there are also several social innovation curriculums available for students who are interested in using entrepreneurship to solve social or environmental problems. Here are a few examples:
- Ashoka’s Start Empathy Initiative: Start Empathy is a curriculum that focuses on developing social and emotional skills in students to help them become changemakers. The program includes modules on empathy, teamwork, leadership, and social innovation.
- Global Social Entrepreneurship Network (GSEN): GSEN provides a comprehensive social entrepreneurship curriculum that covers topics such as social impact measurement, business planning, and social finance.
- Design for Change: Design for Change is a curriculum that teaches students how to use design thinking to create social change. The program includes modules on empathy, problem-solving, and prototyping.
- Youth Venture: Youth Venture is an entrepreneurship education program that focuses on social innovation. The program includes a curriculum that covers topics such as ideation, business planning, and social impact measurement.
Each program has its own unique approach and may focus on different aspects of social entrepreneurship, but all aim to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to create positive social and environmental change through entrepreneurship.
Conclusion Young Innopreneurs, Inc. is committed to nurturing the next generation of innovative, socially responsible leaders and changemakers. Through our comprehensive programs, distinct pathways, and unique approach to education, we aim to empower young people with the skills, resources, and support they need to succeed in the 21st-century job market and make a positive impact on their communities and the world.
PROGRAM PATHWAY
OPTION 1 - 3-DAY YIEP IMMERSIVE 45 HOURS BOOTCAMPS
45 hours of immersive experience for the three-day bootcamp, you’ll need to plan the sessions accordingly to ensure that you cover all the content and activities effectively. Let’s divide the time while considering breaks and meal times:
- Session 1: Welcome and Icebreaker (1 hour)
- Session 2: Introduction to Social Innovation and SDGs with Guest Speaker (2 hours)
- Session 3: Identifying Community Challenges with Empathy and Coach Engagement (4 hours, including breaks)
- Session 4: Human-Centered Design Thinking Workshop with Coach Engagement (4 hours, including breaks)
- Session 1: Ideation Techniques for SDGs with Coach Engagement (3 hours, including breaks)
- Session 2: Social Impact Measurement and SDGs with Guest Speaker (2 hours)
- Session 3: Prototyping and Validation with Human-Centered Design and Coach Engagement (4 hours, including breaks)
- Session 4: Pitching Workshop with SDGs and Empathy in Mind and Guest Speaker (4 hours, including breaks)
- Session 1: Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development Goals with Guest Speaker (2 hours)
- Session 2: Business Model Canvas for Sustainable Impact with Coach and Advisor Engagement (3 hours, including breaks)
- Session 3: Mentorship, Feedback, and Empathy with Coaches and Advisors (4 hours, including breaks)
- Session 4: Final Pitch Competition with SDGs and Empathy Emphasis and Judges (4 hours, including breaks)
- Session 5:
- Award Ceremony and Closing (1 hour)
Total: 45 hours
With this adjusted schedule, each session is allotted ample time for meaningful engagement, discussions, activities, and expert guidance. It allows students to gain valuable insights from guest speakers and mentors while providing them with opportunities to refine their projects with the support of coaches and advisors.
The final pitch competition with judges ensures the bootcamp culminates in a competitive and exciting atmosphere.
PROGRAM PATHWAY
OPTION 2 - 14-WEEKS ACTION-BASED YIEP CURRICULUM FOR IMPLEMENTATION
An action-based program that incorporates Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Human-Centered Design, and empathy and involves guest speakers, coaches, advisors, and judges requires a well-structured approach to ensure meaningful impact and engagement. Here’s a detailed structure for such a program:
- Introduction to the program’s objectives, SDGs, and action-based approach
- Icebreaker activities to build team cohesion and rapport
- Formation of teams based on participants’ interests and complementary skills
- Introducing the concept of social challenges aligned with SDGs
- Guest speaker session on the importance of empathy in social innovation
- Empathy mapping workshops to understand the needs of target beneficiaries
- Introducing Human-Centered Design principles for innovative problem-solving
- Brainstorming sessions to generate project ideas addressing specific SDGs
- Teams present their project concepts and select the most promising ones
- Training on conducting field research and stakeholder interviews
- Teams conduct research and gather feedback from potential beneficiaries
- Guest speakers share insights on successful social impact projects
- Creating detailed project plans, budgets, and timelines
- Introduction to prototyping and iterative development
- Teams build and test initial prototypes of their projects
- Teams begin implementing their projects on a small scale
- Regular check-ins with mentors, coaches, and advisors for feedback
- Adjustments and refinements based on early implementation experiences
- Introduction to impact measurement frameworks and indicators
- Teams define project-specific impact metrics and data collection methods
- Workshops on how to evaluate and track project outcomes effectively
- Workshops on scaling social impact initiatives while maintaining quality
- Guest speakers share successful scaling and sustainability strategies
- Teams plan for long-term sustainability and expansion of their projects
- Strategies for effective storytelling and branding for social impact
- Teams develop marketing and communication campaigns to reach wider audiences
- Preparing pitch materials and presentations for the final showcase
- Teams continue project implementation and outreach efforts
- Opportunities for partnership development with relevant organizations
- Guest speakers share insights on building effective partnerships
- Workshops on leveraging media and social media for greater impact
- Teams plan for advocacy efforts to influence policy and change at a larger scale
- Guidance on engaging the community and stakeholders for greater support
- Teams refine and finalize their social innovation projects
- Preparing impactful presentations and materials for the final showcase
- Dry runs of pitches and presentations with feedback from coaches and advisors
- Presentation event with invited stakeholders, investors, and judges
- Teams pitch their projects and showcase their impact to the audience
- Networking opportunities for potential collaboration and support
- Reflection on the program journey and the social impact achieved
- Celebration of participants’ accomplishments and dedication
- Guidance on next steps for continuing project growth, scaling, and sustainability
Throughout the program, guest speakers, coaches, advisors, and judges play vital roles in inspiring participants, providing guidance, and evaluating the projects’ effectiveness. The action-based approach allows participants to actively implement their ideas, iterate based on feedback, and develop sustainable solutions that address real-world challenges while aligning with the SDGs and human-centered principles.
PROGRAM PATHWAY
OPTION 3 - 6-WEEKS YIEP IMMERSIVE SUMMER CAMP
A 6-week summer action-based program that incorporates Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Human-Centered Design, and empathy and involves guest speakers, coaches, advisors, and judges can be an exciting and impactful experience for the participants. Here’s a structured outline for the program
- Introduction to the program’s objectives and focus on SDGs, empathy, and human-centered design.
- Icebreaker activities to foster team bonding and collaboration.
- Formation of diverse teams with complementary skills and interests.
- Introduction to the SDGs and their relevance to real-world challenges.
- Guest speaker sessions on the importance of empathy and understanding beneficiary needs.
- Empathy mapping workshops to develop a deeper understanding of target beneficiaries.
- Introduction to Human-Centered Design principles and techniques.
- Brainstorming sessions to generate innovative project ideas addressing specific SDGs.
- Teams present their project concepts and select the most impactful ones.
- Training on conducting effective field research and stakeholder interviews.
- Teams conduct research to gather insights from potential beneficiaries and communities.
- Regular check-ins with coaches and advisors to validate project ideas.
- Introduction to prototyping techniques and rapid iteration.
- Teams build prototypes of their projects and test them in real-world scenarios.
- Hands-on implementation of the projects, refining based on user feedback.
- Introduction to impact measurement frameworks and metrics.
- Teams assess the impact of their projects and gather data on their progress.
- Final showcase event with guest speakers, judges, and stakeholders to present the projects’ outcomes and impact.
Throughout the 6-week program:
- Guest Speakers: Invite guest speakers from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences in social innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Guest speakers could include successful social entrepreneurs, experts in specific SDG areas, and community leaders driving positive change.
- Coaches and Advisors: Assign dedicated coaches and advisors to each team to provide guidance, mentorship, and support throughout the program. Coaches can offer expertise in areas such as project management, design thinking, marketing, and impact measurement.
- Mentorship and Feedback: Facilitate regular mentorship sessions and feedback loops, where participants can discuss their challenges and progress and receive constructive feedback on their projects.
- Field Visits and Immersion: Organize field visits and immersion experiences to allow participants to engage directly with the communities they aim to serve. Immersion experiences can deepen empathy and inform the projects’ design and implementation.
- Collaboration Opportunities: Encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing among teams. Provide opportunities for cross-team collaboration on projects that address interconnected SDGs.
- Sustainability Focus: Emphasize the importance of long-term sustainability in the projects. Encourage participants to think about how their initiatives can continue beyond the program and attract further support.
By integrating SDGs, Human-Centered Design, empathy, and active involvement of guest speakers, coaches, advisors, and judges, this 6-week summer action-based program empowers participants to create meaningful and sustainable solutions for real-world challenges while fostering a sense of social responsibility and innovation.
PROGRAM PATHWAY
OPTION 4 - ANNUAL ACTION-BASED YIEP PROGRAM WITH CHALLENGE COMPETITION
An annual action-based program that incorporates Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Human-Centered Design, and empathy, and involves guest speakers, coaches, advisors, and judges with a challenge competition component can provide a transformative and ongoing learning experience for participants. Here’s a structured outline for the annual program
Phase 1: Pre-Program Preparation
- Introduction to the program’s vision, goals, and emphasis on SDGs, empathy, and Human-Centered Design.
- Icebreaker activities to build camaraderie among participants.
- Formation of diverse teams with a mix of skills and interests.
- Introduction to the challenge competition, focusing on specific SDGs and pressing global or local issues.
- Teams brainstorm project ideas and submit their proposals for the competition.
- Expert panels and judges review and select the most promising project proposals.
Phase 2: Skill Development and Project Planning
- Skill development workshops covering topics like design thinking, project management, impact measurement, and communication.
- Guest speaker sessions from social entrepreneurs, subject matter experts, and leaders in relevant fields.
- Teams refine their selected project proposals and create detailed project plans.
- Introduction to prototyping and iterative development approaches.
- Teams build initial prototypes and test them to gain user feedback.
Phase 3: Implementation and Mentorship
- Teams begin the implementation of their projects, focusing on empathy and user-centered approaches.
- Regular check-ins with coaches and advisors to provide guidance, support, and mentorship.
- Mid-program review to assess progress and identify areas for improvement.
Phase 4: Impact Assessment and Refinement
- Introduction to impact measurement frameworks and tools.
- Teams assess the impact of their projects and gather data on their progress.
- Refinement and iteration of projects based on impact assessments and user feedback.
Phase 5: Showcase and Award Ceremony
- Final showcase event with guest speakers, judges, stakeholders, and the wider community.
- Teams present their projects and showcase the impact achieved throughout the year.
- Challenge competition finale, where judges evaluate projects and award winners based on their social impact, innovation, and sustainability.
Phase 6: Post-Program Continuation and Sustainability
- Graduation and recognition ceremony for all participants.
- Teams present plans for the continuation and scalability of their projects beyond the program.
- Support and resources provided for the post-program journey, including access to networks, funding opportunities, and continued mentorship.
Throughout the Annual Program:
- Challenge Competition: The challenge competition serves as a catalyst for innovative solutions that address specific SDGs. It motivates teams to come up with impactful and scalable projects, providing them with the opportunity to present their solutions to judges, investors, and potential partners.
- Guest Speakers and Expert Involvement: Throughout the program, guest speakers, coaches, advisors, and judges play essential roles in inspiring participants, providing guidance, and evaluating projects. They bring diverse perspectives and expertise to enrich the learning experience.
- Empathy and Human-Centered Design Focus: Emphasis on empathy and Human-Centered Design ensures that projects are developed with a deep understanding of beneficiaries’ needs and experiences, leading to more relevant and sustainable solutions.
- Continued Mentorship and Support: Ongoing mentorship and support throughout the year empower participants to overcome challenges, refine their projects, and sustain their efforts beyond the program duration.
An annual program with a challenge competition component allows participants to delve deeply into social innovation, develop solutions that create meaningful impact, and foster a culture of continuous learning and collaboration among participants, mentors, and stakeholders.