About the Academy
Students with a desire to start and run their own businesses are being sought out to apply for the 2027 Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!).
For the past 12 years, the Somerset-Pulaski Chamber has facilitated one of the most comprehensive business programs for middle and high school students in Kentucky. Through this program, our students learn directly from local business leaders, helping shape the next generation of entrepreneurs and community leaders. Recognizing today’s outstanding businesses continues that legacy of inspiration and excellence.
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy is an 18-week after school program that takes a group of select, ambitious, and motivated students through the process of launching and running their very own real businesses.
Think “Shark Tank,” but on a local level !!!
Throughout the program, students work directly with local business leaders, entrepreneurs and mentors as they:
- Develop a real business idea
- Create a business plan
- Learn about marketing, finances and entrepreneurship
- Build their brand and develop their business
- Work with mentors and local business professionals
- Present their business to a panel of local investors
- Compete for real funding to launch their businesses
We really want to get the word out to students who may not realize that they have what it takes to become an entrepreneur. They don’t have to already own a business or even have a fully developed idea. We are looking for students who are creative, motivated, curious and willing to learn.
I have attached several marketing materials for you to review before our visit Thursday:
1-Page YEA! Program Overview Flyer
About the YEA! Program Flyer
Past YEA! Program Winners Flyer
EKU “One Eastern Scholarship” Information
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital Scholarship Information
YEA! Program Application & Instructions
These attachments will give you a good overview of the program, the opportunities available to your students and the significant scholarship opportunities that are now connected to YEA!
We are looking forward to seeing you Thursday and hopefully getting some of your students excited about the possibility of becoming our next young entrepreneurs!
Thank you again for helping us introduce this incredible opportunity to your students. You never know—there could be a future business owner sitting in your classroom right now who simply needs someone to give them an opportunity.
Best regards,
How the Academy Works
This Academy is not like a typical class. Instead, students learn how to launch a business in a fun way through a local entrepreneur instructor, professional guest speakers, a CEO Roundtable, trips to local innovative companies, and more. From writing your own business plans with your business mentors to pitching your plans live on a stage to secure real funding, this exciting class has been the best decision many students like you have ever made.
At the end of the year, all YEA! Students will pitch their business ideas in a “Shark Tank” style presentation and compete for THOUSANDS of dollars to help start their businesses.
Program Success Keeps Growing
The results of our local program have been pretty remarkable. Over the history of YEA!, the Chamber has awarded more than $100,000 in funding to aspiring young entrepreneurs, and we have awarded 11 full four-year scholarships to Campbellsville University to YEA! winners. Those scholarships alone represent a combined value of more than $1.2 million.
And now, we’ve made the opportunity even bigger!
For 2027, the overall YEA! winner will have the opportunity to choose from a full four-year scholarship to:
- Campbellsville University
- University of the Cumberlands
- Eastern Kentucky University
We are also currently working to add Western Kentucky University to that list, and we expect a scholarship opportunity from WKU to be extended within the next 30 days.
In addition to the full scholarship opportunities available to the overall winner, we have also added other scholarship opportunities through our university and community partnerships, making YEA! an even more valuable experience for students regardless of where their entrepreneurial journey ultimately takes them.
Kinds of Students Who Excel in the Academy
Many people often ask, “what kinds of students excel in this program? The Young Entrepreneurs Academy is designed for students who dream big, think creatively, and want to make a real impact — even before they graduate. While the program welcomes all middle and high school students, certain types of students tend to thrive the most in YEA!
Self-Starters & Go-Getters
Students who take initiative, enjoy challenges, and don’t mind stepping outside their comfort zone excel in YEA!. These are the kids who see a problem and immediately start thinking of ways to solve it.
Creative Thinkers
Innovators, tinkerers, and idea-generators shine here. YEA! is perfect for students who love to brainstorm new products, invent solutions, or dream about how to make something better.
Leaders in the Making
The program gives students the chance to run real businesses — so those who enjoy organizing, making decisions, and motivating others tend to do exceptionally well.
Community-Minded Doers
The best YEA! students aren’t just looking to make money — they want to make a difference. Many create businesses that give back, help others, or improve life in their community.
Curious Learners
You don’t need to know everything about business to join — just a willingness to learn. Students who ask questions, seek advice, and genuinely want to understand how the world works thrive in this environment.
When Class Meets & How to Apply
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy will meet on Tuesday Evening from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Somerset Community College. Classes begin in early January and end in May. If you’d like to apply, simply complete one of our applications and send it to our office to begin. Space is limited, so please apply early and ensure a strong application.
For more information, contact the Somerset-Pulaski Co Chamber of Commerce at (606) 679-7323 or info@somersetpulaskichamber.com
