Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneur Program, US

In Search Of:
Young Entrepreneurs Improving American Communities

Are you or do you know the next Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneur? Did you establish a financially viable business with the intention of offering low-wealth individuals in
America a leg up? Have you been in business for 1-5 years? Were you
between the ages of 18 and 29 when you launched your business? If so,
you may be eligible for the Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs
Program.

http://www.hitachifoundation.org/yoshiyama/

The Yoshiyama Program will identify up to six entrepreneurs ages 18-29 who formed financially viable businesses that create jobs, supply goods or services, or use internal management
practices enabling low-wealth individuals the opportunity to achieve
greater economic security. The Foundation will provide these
entrepreneurs with a cash prize up to $50,000 over two years, access to
technical resources, and a peer learning community. In exchange, the
Foundation intends to capture the stories of these inspiring young
business leaders who serve as examples of how to run a financially
sustainable business that also gives a boost to people who are outside
the economic mainstream. Supporting the development of these leaders and
entrepreneurs, learning from them, and sharing their stories will
animate and inform an emerging national and global conversation about
the role of business in improving lives and strengthening communities.

This program is for entrepreneurs who are operating businesses that
are 1-5 years old and have been generating revenue for a minimum of the
last 12 months. For the full list of eligibility criteria please click here. This is not a business plan competition.
General examples of businesses and approaches that could be considered
for this Program can be found in the Program FAQs.

The dates below highlight the 2010 Yoshiyama Program application cycle. Applicants invited to continue in the application process will be notified via email 10 days after each round's judging
has been completed. Up to 6 entrepreneurs will be selected for the 2010 Yoshiyama
Program. All deadlines are at 11:59pm PST.

March 22	Round 1 applications due (click here to apply).
April 16	Round 1 judging completed.
June 7	Semifinalist applications due. Applications will include further documentation and references; completion of the B Lab Survey; and phone interviews.
July 16	Semifinalist judging completed.
September 9-10	Finalist presentations and interviews with judging panel — Washington, DC.
September 24	Prize recipient notification.
Early-Mid November	Yoshiyama retreat and Awards Banquet.

The Yoshiyama Program aims to discover inspiring young entrepreneurs operating businesses in the United States that are both financially viable and supporting low-wealth individuals
by addressing barriers to economic security in America. This approach
differs from the former Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the
Community in that it moves beyond honoring young people for the changes
they have made and instead, recognizes and rewards young people for the
changes they are making, now and into the future. It also differs in
that it focuses the award on young entrepreneurs and their quest to help
low-wealth individuals in a targeted community in the United States
overcome one or more barriers to economic security, instead of
recognizing high school seniors' broader social change efforts. This
change fully integrates the Yoshiyama Program
with the mission and strategic focus of the Foundation.


How many
award recipients will be selected each year?
We anticipate selecting up to 6 entrepreneurs initially and may consider
increasing the number to 10 in the future.


What does
the Award include?
The Award includes a cash prize of up to $50,000 total for two years. In addition, The Foundation will
provide entrepreneurs access to technical assistance and will support a
peer learning/mentoring network. Examples of technical assistance
include, but are not limited to: developing and refining a marketing
plan; financial management; leadership training; general management; and
HR policies.


Why is
there an age limit?
The Yoshiyama Program aims
to discover and support the next generation of young business leaders as
part of the overall Foundation strategic plan. While the Foundation
recognizes business leaders of all ages are forging new paths in terms
of social-benefit business, the Yoshiyama name has a two-decade history
of honoring young people. Maintaining an age limit with a focus on
social-benefit business both honors the legacy of this program while
meeting current mission goals.


Am I still
eligible if my business is not yet generating revenue?
No. The Yoshiyama Program is
focused on businesses that are 1-5 years old and have been generating
revenue for a minimum of the past 12 months. You are encouraged to apply
to the Yoshiyama Program in future years
after your business has reached that milestone.

How
are the mentors matched with the selected entrepreneurs?

Mentors are matched with selected entrepreneurs based
on the entrepreneur's business needs and the mentor's expertise and
interest.

My business
is located in the United States but my primary communit...

No. Both the business location and the primary
beneficiaries must be US-based.

I operate a
social-benefit business with an intent other than helpi...

No. The Yoshiyama Program is
focused solely on low-wealth individuals in America. You may be
eligible if the business benefits low-wealth individuals and another
social purpose simultaneously. For example, a business that improves
low-income housing energy efficiency might have a beneficial result for
low-wealth individuals and the environment.

My business
achieves its social mission by donating a portion of it...

No. While implementing a general philanthropic
response to community issues is valuable and valid, this Program aims to
move beyond traditional corporate giving and philanthropy. Businesses
that have this as their primary vehicle for community change would not
be eligible to apply.

http://www.hitachifoundation.org/yoshiyama/