Youth Business America (YBA) will provide one-on-one volunteer business mentoring in addition to loan capital for young people (aged 18 – 35) wishing to start their own business but without access to these resources elsewhere. YBA will also serve as the U.S. fund raising and advocacy vehicle for Youth Business International to support its microenterprise development programs around the globe.

YBA is based on the successful Youth Business Program model operating in 35 countries some for over 25 years that form the membership in Youth Business International (YBI) a London based network organization. Combined, these programs have created over 90,000 new businesses worldwide. As a member of this network, YBA will have access to systems, methodology, branding and operational support that YBI provides its members. The combination of a commitment to small business and the culture of volunteerism that exists in the U.S. provide an optimal climate for building a Youth Business Program in this country.

YBA will grow its organization rapidly to a national scale with minimal physical presence. The objective is to create a program with meaningful impact in the short term by forming clear partnerships with existing local microenterprise development organizations and with existing volunteer programs to deliver its product (mentoring plus loan capital). Our plan seeks to create between 3,000 and 5,000 new businesses in the 3 year period to 2012 along with some 4,000 volunteers supporting these businesses.

YBA will also serve as an advocacy and fund raising vehicle for YBI and its microenterprise work around the world, offering the U.S. donor community access to accredited YBI programs in both developed and emerging market economies. HRH The Prince of Wales serves as President of YBI. YBA will serve as an important conduit to American foundations, universities, corporations and other non-profits that are at the forefront of issues of youth economic empowerment, microenterprise development and the delivery of business services to help YBI continue to provide state of the market advice and support to its expanding global presence.