The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the next class of its Young Entrepreneurs Academy, known as YEA!, a program in which high school students spend a school year turning an idea into a working business and then pitch it to a panel of investors. Applications are open now and reviewed on a rolling basis.

What students do

YEA! combines weekly classes with mentoring from local business owners and executives, field trips to companies, and an investor panel at the end of the program where students present their businesses and ask for funding. The chamber describes it as the only program of its kind in New York City. Students do not need a business idea when they apply; developing one is part of the course.

The most recent class met on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., from December 2025 through April 2026, at the chamber's offices. The chamber has not yet posted the schedule for the coming class.

Who can apply

The program is open to New York City high school students in grades 9 through 12, from public, Catholic and private schools. Applicants fill out an online form and submit a high school transcript, and some are invited to interview with chamber staff.

What past students built

The chamber lists its recent winners on the program page. In 2026 the grand prize went to Rami Rifi, a Staten Island Academy student, for Play Passion Project, a nonprofit that collects footwear and distributes it to people who need it.

In 2025, Anna Lau of Staten Island Technical High School won the local competition with her business, Snugshi, then took first place at the national YEA! competition. That win came with a $5,500 prize, scholarships to the Rochester Institute of Technology and the Golisano Institute, and the national title of America's Next Top Young Entrepreneur. In 2023, Noah Rozin, the local winner that year, placed third nationally.

How to apply

The application is on the YEA! page of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce website, sichamber.com/yea. Classes meet at the chamber, 2555 Richmond Avenue, Suite 240, Staten Island, NY 10314. Questions about the application, the interview or the program go to Danielle Wiseman at dwiseman@sichamber.com or 718-727-1900, extension 1001.

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