Young business brains wanted at Champaign Library
Teens and young adults from the local area are being invited to pitch their ideas for their businesses to a group of experienced venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. The winners could receive as much as $5,000 to help start their businesses.
The Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP) is based at the Champaign Public Library, and is supported by the Champaign Public Library Foundation. The program seeks to educate and empower young adults, as well as students from high schools in Champaign County, by helping them develop as entrepreneurs.
The library has been offering a series of collaborative workshops and interactive seminars since early this year, the meetings taking place every other week. On the off-weeks when there were no formal meetings scheduled, young people interested in the program could attend mentorship and coworking meetings held in the Launch Business Center. Mentors provided specific feedback and support to the attendees, encouraging their efforts.
The series of meetings and workshops culminates soon in the pitch competition. The idea will no doubt remind people of the popular television show ‘Shark Tank’, which it resembles. The competition is open to high schoolers from ages 13 through 18; and young adults, those ages 19 through 25. The winner in each age group will receive $5,000.
The Pitch Competition is set for this Sunday, May 5 at the library. Organizers could use flyer printing to create handouts describing each contestant and their business idea.
The Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP) is based at the Champaign Public Library, and is supported by the Champaign Public Library Foundation. The program seeks to educate and empower young adults, as well as students from high schools in Champaign County, by helping them develop as entrepreneurs.
The library has been offering a series of collaborative workshops and interactive seminars since early this year, the meetings taking place every other week. On the off-weeks when there were no formal meetings scheduled, young people interested in the program could attend mentorship and coworking meetings held in the Launch Business Center. Mentors provided specific feedback and support to the attendees, encouraging their efforts.
The series of meetings and workshops culminates soon in the pitch competition. The idea will no doubt remind people of the popular television show ‘Shark Tank’, which it resembles. The competition is open to high schoolers from ages 13 through 18; and young adults, those ages 19 through 25. The winner in each age group will receive $5,000.
The Pitch Competition is set for this Sunday, May 5 at the library. Organizers could use flyer printing to create handouts describing each contestant and their business idea.