Youth Entrepreneurship

A New ICSB Initiative

The ICSB has established a Youth Entrepreneurship Special Interest Group (SIG) with a lofty aim: For the ICSB to be the pre-eminent international body monitoring and supporting the development of youth entrepreneurship world-wide.

The objectives of this SIG are to:

• Monitor and support international research into youth entrepreneurship.
  
• Maintain a register of research into youth entrepreneurship world-wide.
  
• Maintain a register of youth entrepreneurship programs around the world.
  
• Maintain a register of the best youth entrepreneurship teaching strategies and links to their schools and developers.
  
• Develop and maintain a network of youth entrepreneurship researchers and teacher practitioners.

The Youth Entrepreneur

For the purpose of this initiative we are defining youth as any person under the age of 30 years.

How can you assist this initiative?

We need to hear from you about your initiatives and research into youth entrepreneurship. We are categorising these into three components:

• Research into youth entrepreneurship
  
• Projects or programs (non-educational youth entrepreneurship)
  
• Education programs (undergraduate and post graduate)

A committee has been established to oversee this initiative and ensure that we have the best of the best on the website. The following criteria will be used to evaluate all contributions.

Research

To be considered for the ICSB Youth Entrepreneurship webpage/database any research (theoretical or applied) MUST have previously either:

• been published in a recognised journal and have been subjected to a rigorous refereeing process              
  
  OR
  
• have been accepted, via a rigorous refereeing process, for an entrepreneurship conference (e.g. USASBE annual conference or SEAANZ annual conference) and have been published in the conference proceedings.

To be considered for the ICSB Youth Entrepreneurship webpage/database any research (theoretical or applied) SHOULD:

• significantly advance the youth entrepreneurship field;
• be original papers of high quality; and
• be useful to other researchers, educators, practitioners and scholars.

Projects or Programs

To be considered for the ICSB Youth Entrepreneurship webpage/database any youth entrepreneurship project or program MUST:

• be replicable;
• have been in operation for 3 or more years i.e. is well-organised and sustainable;
• use outcome based monitoring; and
• have been evaluated and accepted (using an independent and objective evaluation protocols) as a viable and successful program.

Education Programs

To be considered for the ICSB Youth Entrepreneurship webpage/database any youth entrepreneurship education program MUST:

• be replicable;
• be conducted by a recognized education institution;
• be, in whole or in part, a primary school, high school, post-high school (college/university) undergraduate or post-graduate education program;
• have been in operation for 3 or more years i.e. is well-organised and sustainable; and
• have been evaluated and accepted (using an independent and objective evaluation protocols) as a viable and successful program.

Colin Dunn is the Vice President – Youth Entrepreneurship and you should send the link/links to your nominated research, project/program and education program to him at: cdunn.racma@gmail.com

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Youth Entrepreneurship Network

A natural outcome of this process will be the establishment of a network of people (experts) in youth entrepreneurship who will be able to converse with each other and share expertise and resources.

Resources for Young Entrepreneurs

Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs - International
The Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs (ACE) is an international organization that enables students to operate small business ventures and interact with other aspiring entrepreneurs. ACE has chapters throughout the nation.

Business Link - UK
It's likely you've heard of Business Link without knowing exactly what it does or how it helps young entrepreneurs like you. Managed by the Small Business Service - a government agency created to champion the cause of small businesses - this national network of agencies offers advice, information and resources to help you on your way to success.

For many of today's successful entrepreneurs it was their first port of call and, though you will be excepted to contribute something to the cost of the service your receive, you'll get access to expert knowledge on all kinds of issues from e-commerce to exporting.

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation - US
Learn more about children and youth entrepreneurship and related programs and resources at www.emkf.org/pages/129.cfm. To find out about resources and opportunities for collegiate level entrepreneurs visit www.emkf.org/pages/188.cfm.

Future Business Leaders of America - US
Future Business Leaders of America—Phi Beta Lambda is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) educational association of students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. The association has four divisions: FBLA for high school students; FBLA Middle Level for junior high, middle and intermediate school students; PBL for post-secondary students; and the Professional Alumni Division for business people, educators and parents who support the goals of the association.

Gen-X Idea Café - US
On this site, Idea Café caters to the business needs of Generation-X entrepreneurs with information, advice and fun to feed your mind and your business. The site welcomes biz fans of every age and includes stories of Gen-X business successes.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)- US
The IRS has an online workshop for young people to help them understand the why and how of meeting their tax obligations. Click here to learn about other free IRS educational products.

Kauffman Entrepreneur Internship Program (KEIP) - US
Thousands of undergraduate and graduate students learn about entrepreneurship by becoming immersed in the day-to-day reality of starting and running a business through the Kauffman Entrepreneur Internship Program. The Kauffman Center, which established the program in 1996, offers two KEIPs—for-profit and not-for-profit. Colleges, universities and entrepreneurship organizations nationwide participate in this program by applying through an RFP process for a grant to administer the program. KEIP interns work side-by-side with successful entrepreneurs, learning from them and oftentimes contributing ideas to solve problems, increase productivity or save money.

Launchpad - UK
London-based enterprise group offering free support and counseling to young people. Launchpad aims to help young people discover and develop their enterprising talents and holds free workshops and eventsin addition toits free one-to-one counseling services. Anyone aged 14-30 is welcome, whether they've already got a business idea or not.

LegalZoom.com- US
Read LegalZoom's article on "Top 10 Small Business Owners under 16."

The National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) - US
The NCIIA is an alliance of faculty and students working to advance the teaching of invention and innovation in American higher education. Its mission is to nurture a new generation of innovators by promoting curricula designed to teach creativity, invention and entrepreneurship. The NCIIA offers financial support and networking opportunities. It also offers information and advice on entrepreneurial efforts, curriculum development, intellectual property and technology resources.

National Coalition for Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs (NCEYE)- US
The NCEYE is a network of youth, adults, community organizations, and business, education, and government agencies committed to advancing youth entrepreneurship. The Coalition promotes the development of entrepreneurial programs that empower youth to become effective leaders and business owners. The organization offers micro-enterprise development assistance, conferences, youth entrepreneur awards, technical assistance and more.

National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE)- UK
The National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) was formed in 2004 with the aim of raising the profile of entrepreneurship and the option of starting your own business as a career choice amongst students and graduates.

By understanding the circumstances in which graduate entrepreneurship can flourish, NCGE's goal is to influence, and inspire, an increase in the number of students and graduates who give serious thought to self-employment or business start-up. The Council, which is based in Birmingham in the United Kingdom is not only focused on graduates starting businesses, but understanding, developing and promoting a culture of entrepreneurship within Higher Education through research, education and facilitation. NCGE aims to become the national focal point for graduate entrepreneurship and collaborates with bodies across the UK.

National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)- US
NFTE's missionis to teach entrepreneurship to low-income young people, ages 11-18, so they can become economically productive members of society by improving their academic, business, technology and life skills.

The Prince's Trust- UK
At 21 years old, The Prince's Trust scheme has come of age itself. It provides financial assistance and business support throughout the UK (with the exception of Scotland which has its own scheme) and focuses on young people who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)- International
Through a collaborative effort between business and education, SIFE Teams improve the quality of life and the standard of living around the world by teaching the principles of market economics, entrepreneurship, business ethics and personal financial success. The program is active on more than 1,000 college and university campuses in more than 25 countries.

Shell LiveWIRE - International
Financed in each country by the local Shell company and local business partners, Shell LiveWIRE International works to promote the spirit of enterprise in young people. Working through local enterprise development organizations and partnerships with schools, universities, governments, other corporations and community programs, LiveWIRE delivers practical support to those people as they develop the skills needed to plan, launch and manage new business enterprises.

Shell LiveWIRE - UK
Since 1982 Shell LiveWIRE has helped encourage enterprise amongst those aged between 16-30 by offering year round help and advice. The range of business publications and training packs covers all the topics budding entrepreneurs need to know, from managing people to marketing and HR.

United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC)- US
USHCC has a Youth Entrepreneurship Program thatoffers students an opportunity to "shadow" entrepreneurs. The goals of the program are to increase self-esteem, help youth develop future-based decisions, provide economic literacy and acquire workforce readiness.

YoungBiz.com - US
The mission of YoungBiz is to empower youth with entrepreneurial, business and financial skills through innovative education and real-world experience. The organizationexists to help youth take their decision-making skills and use them to make great financial and business decisions. Geared toward teenagers.

Young Enterprise - UK
Founded in 1963, Young Enterprise runs a range of business education programs for over 150,000 youngsters every year. Participants get first-hand experience in running a company through Young Enterprise’s partnership with over 2,000 businesses across the UK. The organization aims to improve entrepreneurial skills at an early age, giving young people a valuable introduction to the business world.

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