YEA! Philadelphia: Where Teen Entrepreneurs Meet Real Investors
The Greater Philadelphia program that turns middle and high school students’ ideas into real businesses — with actual funding, real mentors, and a trade show to prove it.
Investor Panel Pitch Event — Young Entrepreneurs pitch to real investors for investment funding to start their businesses. Photo courtesy of amcphotostudios.com
Most programs teach students about business. YEA! Philadelphia puts them in charge of one.
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy Greater Philadelphia chapter has been turning middle and high school students into founders since 2013. Over an academic year, students research a market and write a business plan. Then they pitch it to real investors for actual funding and launch a business or social movement that is entirely their own.
“Ideas are easy. Execution is where most people get stuck,” says Joey Mazza, Philadelphia Director. “YEA! gives young people the structure, mentorship, accountability, and real-world experience to move from ‘I think this could work’ to ‘Here is what I built.’”
Who Can Apply to YEA! Philadelphia?
Students do not need a fully formed idea, a perfect GPA, or a polished pitch to apply. They need curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to do the work.
“We are looking for drive, coachability, curiosity, and follow-through,” Joey says. “Give me a young person who keeps asking, ‘Why not?’ and I will show you someone worth betting on.”
What Happens Inside the Program
The academic-year program runs November through May, on Wednesday evenings at Eastern University in St. Davids. Students move through three phases: building a business foundation, developing a full plan with a local mentor, and ultimately pitching investors for real funding. The year ends with a public Trade Show where students sell their products or services to the community.
“Founder is not a fancy title,” Joey says. “It means you own the problem, the numbers, the customer experience, and the follow-through.”
The Results Speak for Themselves
YEA! Philadelphia produced the 2026 YEA! National Champion, William Frederick, whose company Scent-Pop won both first place and the People’s Choice Award at the national competition. YEA! student Om Gagrani designed a board game to teach children how to program. He earned investor funding through YEA!, then took his company to a Penn State LaunchBox competition, winning the People’s Choice Award and an additional $1,000
The program’s impact extends beyond product businesses. Nava Khojasteh founded Perisco through YEA! This nonprofit raised more than $5,000 and provided over 150 hours of free math tutoring to underserved students. Nava was among the first honorees of the Young Women of Influence Awards, a partnership between Main Line Parent and YEA! Philadelphia.
“The main thing I’ve seen is that Nava is so confident. She got that confidence from being in the program, being with peers of different grades and ages, and working with local business owners. The idea that you can build a company in months gives her so much confidence, and that’s translated into her academic work, socially, and into so many areas of her life.”
— Raena K., Newtown Square
How to Apply Before the Deadline
Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are open now to students ages 12–18. The deadline is September 15, 2026. Enrollment is limited to 18 students. Tuition is $995, with needs-based scholarships available.
Families can apply at yeaphiladelphia.org, review the program FAQ, or explore success stories from past students.
“The student who surprises everyone is often the one nobody expected,” Joey says. “Give them a framework, real accountability, and people who believe the work matters. Then get out of the way.”
This YEA! Philadelphia story is featured in the Back to School Guide.
YEA! Philadelphia’s story supports the Main Line Parent Community. Collaborate with us.
