Our Approach
Youth Business International (YBI) is the only organisation dedicated to youth entrepreneurship globally. Our goal is to create one million jobs through supporting the start-up and growth of 250,000 youth-led businesses by the end of 2025.
YBI leads a growing global network of over 60 enterprise support organisations in 46 countries with a passion for empowering underserved young people (18-35) to start, scale and sustain their businesses.
Working with our global network of members, we develop and scale the most effective solutions to the critical challenges facing young entrepreneurs and strengthen our members’ capabilities and the quality of their delivery models to support young people into entrepreneurship.
Together, we focus on sustainable and inclusive entrepreneurship, equipping underserved young people with the skills, confidence, and connections they need to beat the odds and become successful, responsible business owners.
Excellence in Youth Entrepreneurship (EYE) Model
To ensure quality youth entrepreneurship support, YBI developed its Excellence in Youth Entrepreneurship (EYE) model, an integrated and holistic approach.
Integrated: Skills and
Support for Success
Young entrepreneurs need support across the personal, business, and enabling environment to be successful. YBI works with its members to co-create products and services that support programmes that balance three different pillars:
Personal development:
Building entrepreneurial competencies and attitudes
Business development:
Skills that help young people identify and capitalize on available opportunities
Environment Facilitation:
Young people need access to the finance, markets, and services to start or scale their business
Holistic: Individual and Community Benefit
Integrated programmes need to incorporate a range of cross cutting components to best support the needs of entrepreneurs, to support them to make a positive contribution, and to help entrepreneurs be successful.
Responsible and Inclusive:
Ensure business practices balance inclusion, with social and environmental impact
Innovative and Digital:
Leverage digital technologies, innovative approaches, and new business models to survive and thrive.
Entrepreneurial Services:
Provide a range of complimentary entrepreneurship support and services to ensure wrap around support
