Youth Entrepreneurial Academy

The Youth Entrepreneurial Academy is a unique, one-week summer camp opportunity for motivated high school students. Thanks to generous financial support from the John K. and Luise V. Hanson Foundation, the Youth Entrepreneurial Academy is completely free for North Iowa high school students to attend. At YEA, students have the opportunity to learn and practice the entrepreneurial mindset. Students will learn how their unique interests, skills, and strengths can be developed and applied to create their own personal path to success. Students will also have the opportunity to network with local entrepreneurs, tour local businesses, develop leadership skills, meet like-minded peers, create solutions to real-world problems, and gain fundamental entrepreneurship skills like finance, marketing, and communication. Every participant will receive an automatic $500 scholarship to NIACC upon completing the program. Students will receive gas cards to pay for the week’s travel from their homes or may choose to stay in chaperoned student housing on campus. YEA concludes with an exciting pitch competition on June 23, 2025, where students will present their business ideas in front of a panel of judges. Apply at www.pappajohncenter.com/yea/