Promoting Youth EntrepreneurshipStrategies for building on Michigans entrepreneurial heritage

August 28th, 2012Joel Rash1With support from:

Regional Economic InnovationEDA University Center

Center for Community and Economic DevelopmentThe Michigan State University2INTRODUCTIONMichigan was built by entrepreneursFlint was the Silicone Valley of its dayAcross Michigan there are innovative companies reinventing entire industriesMichigan can use entrepreneurship to create our future

3IntroductionMichigan ThenMichigan TodayDetroit manufacturingBattle Creek cerealGrand Rapids furnitureMidland - chemicalsBenton Harbor - appliancesTop five in number of high tech employeesTop five in total amount of R&D expendituresTop five in construction/expansion of corporate facilitiesTop five in number of engineering gradsFirst in job creation improvement (2010)4The ChallengeEngaging youth in entrepreneurship is a crucial

Access to programming can be limited by income and location

There is no single solution; young people must be reached in various ways

5The ResponseStakeholders in Flint came together to explore strategies that would broaden access to entrepreneurial programming.

6A Model for Michigan

Program Goals

7A Model for Michigan

Program Goals

Strategy

8Building the TeamHigh School educators and club advisorsHigher Ed; students in entrepreneurship programs and clubsChamber of Commerce or business development groupsPrograms for disconnected youthLocal entrepreneurs and executivesCommunity membersYouth from the target population

9Building the OrganizationFinding A Home

Affiliation

Paying the Bills

10Building the ProgramEvery community has different assets

Reaching Target Populations

Identifying the Needs

Filling the Gaps

11Target Populations

With access to entrepreneurship programs

Without access to entrepreneurship programs

Charter school students

12Target PopulationsSummer Programming ExampleTeen CEO: Each summer 25 to 30 high school students spend seven weeks exploring an entrepreneurial concept, and ten of them can earn $1,000 in start-up funds to implement their ideas. Summer Programming ExampleTeen Entrepreneur: A combination of brainstorming activities, teambuilding lessons and a field trip to an entrepreneurial center will supplement each students creative problem solving task. The final day concludes with a judged business pitch by each team. $1,000 in cash prizes will be awarded.

13Target PopulationsCollege Students and Young ProfessionalsAs mentors and coachesTo encourage exploring higher ed optionsAs guest speakers and presenters

14Target PopulationsDisconnected YouthAs alternatives to traditional academic settingsAs options for youth with familiesAs a route back into education

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Access to High School Entrepreneurship in Genesee County

16Genesee County Local & National Program GridAge RangeProgram NameLocally Available?High SchoolDECA, Business Professionals of America, First RoboticsYesJunior Achievement, Achievers International, Entrepreneurs Organization, Kairos Society, CEO, Future Farmers of America, 4HNoTeenQuest/YouthQuest, Teen CEO (Mott Community College)YesNational Foundation for Teaching EntrepreneurshipNoCollegeDECA, After School ClubsYesStartup Open, Startup Weekend, Your Big Year, etc.NoYoung ProfessionalGenesee Regional Young ProfessionalsYesOut of School YouthYouthBuild, Career Alliance, YES FlintYes17ProgrammingWeekly ContactMonthly MeetingsPromote activitiesShare local success storiesProvide access to grant and scholarship opportunities

Hear from expert speakers and presentersFind teammates for projectsShare information about upcoming events

18ProgrammingQuarterly ActivitiesAnnual EventsSite visits to local or regional incubators

Walking tours of available rental spaceInformal speed networking sessionsWeekend boot campsSignature events are a great way to keep youth focused on a goal, especially conferences and competitions. Global Entrepreneurship Week USA

19ProgrammingConferences and Workshops Share successes Learn best practices Inspire youth

20ProgrammingCompetitionsGreat Lakes Entrepreneur QuestDECA regionals and stateGeneration E Institute ShowcaseFIRST Robotics

21IGNITEFrom handmade sweets and dog walking services to alternative fuel engines and recycling services, innovative and creative thinking was in full-force as over sixty high school and middle school student entrepreneurs from across Michigan competed in the 2011 IGNITE Youth Business Plan Competition.

22ProgrammingMentoring Young entrepreneurs benefit greatly from contact with more experienced business people.

23Future Programming

Portable activities for classrooms and clubsOne-off assembliesClub sponsorshipStart-up weekendsSummer boot campsMicrofinance for youth

24ConclusionMichigans entrepreneurial heritage was never lost; it was merely obscured by decades of industrial success. Our spirit of innovation has continued to create important advances in cutting edge fields. This needs to be celebrated, and our youth need the opportunity to build their own entrepreneurial futures. Establishing regional support networks that ignite that spirit is a great first step.

25Special thanks to:

The YES Flint TeamThe YES Flint program was funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation via a grant to Kettering University, and administered through Ketterings TechWorks program. Additional support was provided by the Flint Area Reinvestment Office, a program of the Prima Civitas Foundation.

Kenyetta Dotson, WOW OutreachJason Caya, Prima Civitas FoundationNeil Sheridan, Kettering UniversityAlexander Masters, Kettering University

26Thank you for joining us today. Please consider attending the upcoming REI Innovate Michigan! SummitFor More information about the program:

Michigan State UniversityCenter for Community and Economic Development

1615 East Michigan AvenueLansing MI 48912517-353-9555 / ced@msu.eduwww.ced.msu.eduwww.reicenter.org

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