Entrepreneuring Youth has helped hundreds of youth ages 11-18 over the years by guiding and molding them into thinking and acting like entrepreneurs.
Twenty-seven aspiring young entrepreneurs representing 20 different businesses had the opportunity to compete for cash prizes and local notoriety as they presented their business ideas at Entrepreneuring Youth’s iPitch Competition at Google.
During the iPitch event, there were 15 Black participants out of the 30 youth. Meanwhile, 15 out of 22 businesses represented had Black ownership.
Co-Founder of EYouth Jerry Cozewith said, “We do this because so many young people need reassurance or help to discover that there are bigger, more diverse possibilities, for pursuing economic and civic prosperity. That they can have the life they really want.”
The competition took place in Bakery Square, Youth ages 11-18 in economically fragile neighborhoods had the opportunity to learn and start their own businesses.
The competition is a part of Entrepreneuring Youth’s multi-year program, designed to help young people.
The competition is divided into three segmented divisions by age. Each young competitor had two minutes to share his/her business opportunity and the need their business would fulfill. Youth also elaborated on their business by explaining customer benefits, unique market advantage and owner qualifications. Eleven business leaders volunteered to judge. Judges scored presentations according to how well the young entrepreneurs made their points and on their presentations skills.
“Entrepreneurial thinking is a new way of seeing the world and your place in it. Our program helps young people build confidence and knowledge to set big goals and find or create a path to achieving them,” Cozewith said.
Entrepreneuring Youth is a nonprofit organization helping middle school and high school youth learn to think and act like business owners so they can pursue their dreams and confidentially create their own opportunities. The program continues to flourish through partnerships with local schools and community organizations. Entrepreneuring Youth taps into teachers and volunteer professionals as mentors and coaches to guide youth through a four plus year curriculum to learn to have the mindset of an entrepreneur.
Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place competition winners.
EYouth has helped more than 500 local young adults in economically disadvantaged less fortunate areas since it started in 2010.
“Building a new generation of entrepreneurs is vital to our economy and our communities,” said Rich Krauland, CEO and president of NexTier Bank, a corporate sponsor for iPitch who also volunteered as a judge. “The team at Entrepreneuring Youth has developed a phenomenal program that combines education and real world experience.”
Black involvement depends on the geographic location the students are coming from, which is why expansion to predominantly Black neighborhoods is important. EYouth has plans to grow the program into more neighborhoods in Pittsburgh with high Black population. They are looking to place the program in the Hilltop (specifically Allentown near Mt. Oliver), Hazelwood, Homewood, North Side, and Braddock.
“Entrepreneurs change the world… Entrepreneurial thinking enables young people to change their lives and in the process their neighborhoods,” Cozewith said, “That is why E Youth is working to grow our iPitch event into a national competition. We want youth to create their own opportunities rather than wait for them to arrive.”
Last year’s 2014 iPitch winners included businesses centered around the cosmetics and textiles sectors as well as representing food items and a personal training service. Three of the winners advanced to take first, second, and third place at EYouth’s Regional competition in June.
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