Young Entrepreneurs Academy Expands To India
ROCHESTER, New York, Oct. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Young Entrepreneurs Academy, Inc. (YEA!) today signed an agreement with Incredible Ideas Private Ltd, to bring innovative entrepreneurship education to middle and high school students across India.
The Incredible Ideas agreement was spearheaded by Namita Thapar, founder of the organization and Chief Financial Officer & Executive Board member of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
Incredible Ideas in India is the first overseas organization to license YEA!. YEA! was founded in 2004 at the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, with support from the Kauffman Foundation. YEA! classes are currently available in more than 117 centers across 38 states in the U.S.A. To date, more than 4,000 YEA! students have launched over 3,000 real businesses.
The first YEA! class will launch in Bombay in August 2016 with 50 additional locations in the planning stages. Each YEA! class is designed for 30 students between the ages of 11 and 18 to participate in a 25-week after-school entrepreneurship program to generate business ideas, conduct market research, write business plans and pitch to a panel of investors for startup funding. By the end of class, students launch their own, real, companies.
"The Young Entrepreneurs Academy is an innovative, unique program that will transform young people in India into confident entrepreneurs," said Thapar. "34 years ago today, my father incorporated Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., and it is now the 14th largest pharmaceutical company in India with $700 million in sales, over 10,000 employees and operations around the globe. That is why I picked today to announce that Incredible Ideas is bringing YEA! to India. My dad is the most inspirational entrepreneur I know, and I'm eager to spread the spirit of entrepreneurship that he instilled in me as a child. I believe YEA! is the right vehicle to help develop the future business leaders of India."
Thapar's father, Satish Mehta, CEO, Emcure added, "I am honored that Namita is taking the principle of success through innovation that we are proud of at Emcure and using our company's high standards as a model to inspire future young entrepreneurs. I look forward to Emcure's involvement in YEA!"
Thapar said she was attracted to the academic excellence of YEA!, the hands-on learning it provides and the excitement that course generates. Thapar is a graduate in Commerce from the Pune University, India. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, and she received her MBA from Duke University. She worked at Guidant Corporation, USA, prior to joining Emcure in 2006.
Part of the YEA! curriculum includes mentorship for student's from top company leaders, as well as behind the scenes field trips to leading businesses.
"I am so excited to partner with such an incredible organization and to bring YEA! to India," said Gayle Jagel, Founder & CEO of YEA!. YEA! is designed to generate legendary community engagement and teach young people to embrace their passion, live their dream, and change the world."
YEA! alumni include 15-year-old Rachel Zietz, CEO of Gladiator Lacrosse who was featured in The New York Times and Entrepreneur.com for her business success as the number one reseller of lacrosse rebounders on Amazon.com. Zietz is now a contender on season seven of ABC's hit show, Shark Tank.
Shreyas Parab is a 14-year-old Archmere Academy sophomore, and the CEO of NovelTie. "It's something very few kids get to say, but, I am a small business owner," says Parab. Shreyas is already making a profit, and has recently been approached by Sam's Club to feature his ties in pop-up shops in several Sam's Club locations along the East Coast!
14-year-old Taylor Rosenthal just turned down a $30 million deal to purchase his idea called RecMed, a first aid kit vending machine at public stadiums and entertainment venues. Based on pending contracts and sales projections, he's holding out for more.
Student businesses can be a product, social movement, or service. Sixteen-year-old Vikash Mody developed a company called Hire High, as a service that offers employment of high school students to families with children in need of music lessons, tutoring, and more.
"Because of YEA!," said Mody, "I had the opportunity to pitch my business plan to about 1,000 business leaders at America's Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C. Not only did YEA! teach me everything I need to know to start and run my own business, but I've had the chance to meet some incredible business leaders who are helping me along the way. How many high school kids can say that?"
Mody's dad, Apu Mody, President, Mars Food NA, said, "As a parent, I am grateful for all of the opportunity that YEA! has opened up for my son. It's an educational experience like no other."
YEA! is sponsored by the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Sam's Club and supported by other companies including Toshiba, American Express, General Motors, Coca Cola, FedEx, Kodak and Microsoft.
To learn more about YEA! visit yeausa.org.
Young Entrepreneurs Academy
Jeanne Yacono
585-272-3535 • [email protected]
Incredible Ideas
Namita Thapar
+919325000004 • [email protected]
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