Youth & Families

FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES

Start where you are. Build what comes next.

Young InnoPreneurs helps youth and young adults ages 11–24 explore challenges that matter, develop practical ideas, build real-world skills, create portfolio evidence, and connect to mentors, showcases, and future opportunities. You do not need to arrive with a business idea.

Curiosity Sparkers

Discover. Explore interests, community challenges, people affected, and early possibilities. No defined idea is required.

Idea Nurturers

Develop. Clarify a problem, listen to users, research what matters, test assumptions, and strengthen an idea.

Idea Implementers

Implement. Build, test, budget, iterate, and prepare a solution, project, social venture, or initiative for real-world action.

Innovation Leaders

Lead. Deepen implementation, mentor peers, engage partners, measure impact, and take greater responsibility for what comes next.

How the YIP journey works

Find Your Starting Point → Build capabilities → Create portfolio evidence → Receive feedback → Showcase your work → Review readiness → Choose your next opportunity.

Participants can also join a Community Challenge Track at any readiness level and work with others on a shared real-world issue.

What participants build

  • Challenge statements and stakeholder maps
  • Research notes and listening evidence
  • Solution concepts and prototypes
  • Budgets and impact or business models
  • Implementation plans and pitches
  • Reflections, mentor feedback, and portfolio evidence
  • A Next Opportunity Plan

What families should know

  • Placement is based on readiness, not age or grade alone.
  • A starting recommendation is not a permanent label.
  • Participants can advance as evidence and experience grow.
  • Project setbacks are treated as learning evidence, not failure.
  • Programs use age-appropriate participation, consent, safety, and communication practices; see our Trust & Safety commitments.
  • The website diagnostic does not request, submit, or store personal information.

Ready to explore your next step?

Use Find Your Starting Point for a private readiness recommendation, explore the Innovation Cohorts, or contact Young InnoPreneurs to talk through the right fit.