Applications are open for the 2026-2027 class of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, or YEA!, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce's program that takes high school students from an idea to a business of their own over the course of a school year. The Chamber describes it as the only program of its kind in New York City.

How the program works

YEA! is a national program that the Chamber runs on Staten Island. Students work through a hands-on curriculum and are mentored by local entrepreneurs, educators, business leaders and community partners. The program's stated goal for every class is the same: each student finishes having launched a business of their own. Students present their companies to an investor panel, and winners have walked away with investment for their businesses, from $1,500 to $2,200 in recent years.

Who took part last year

The class of 2026 had 22 students from across the borough, from freshmen to seniors, at Staten Island Technical High School, Tottenville, New Dorp, Curtis, Susan E. Wagner, the CSI High School for International Studies, Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School, Staten Island Academy, Monsignor Farrell, Moore Catholic and Notre Dame Academy.

Its grand prize went to Rami Rifi of Staten Island Academy for Play Passion Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit he founded in January 2025 that collects footwear and gives it to people who need it. He was also a semifinalist for a Saunders Scholar award.

A national win in 2025

The year before, the Staten Island winner went on to win the whole thing. Anna Lau, then a sophomore at Staten Island Technical High School, took first place at the Staten Island investor panel, and $1,500 in investment, with Snugshi, which makes heatable, weighted, portable stuffed animals that recharge for on-the-go pain relief. In May 2025 she won the Young Entrepreneurs Academy national competition, taking home a $5,500 cash prize, a $30,000 scholarship to the Rochester Institute of Technology, a full-tuition scholarship to the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship, and the title of America's Next Top Young Entrepreneur.

Earlier Staten Island winners include Katherine Antonov of New Dorp High School, whose company Kathos makes homemade granola bars, in 2024; Noah Rozin of Staten Island Tech, who received $2,200 for a history board game called Ace of Ages, in 2023; and Youwei (Anthony) Zhen of Staten Island Tech, with PrivacySavior, in 2022.

How to apply

Applications for the 2026-2027 class are on the Chamber's YEA! page. The program is open to high school students on Staten Island. Businesses that want to support the program can also sign on as sponsors through the same page.

Sources