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BizWorld Blog Cover for Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025

education

What Is Global Entrepreneurship Week and Why Celebrating It in the Classroom Matters.

Have you ever asked yourself what happens when emerging ideas, actually get the spotlight they deserve? That’s exactly the mission of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) – a worldwide celebration of innovators, creators, and entrepreneurial spirit. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Network, GEW reaches over 200 countries and invites everyone, from budding students to seasoned founders, to explore what it means to dream, build, and be an entrepreneur. How did Global Entrepreneurship Week start? The movement began in 2008, when organizations around the world recognized that entrepreneurship does more than launch companies, it sparks creativity, opportunity, and economic growth. It also cultivates essential life skills like confidence, collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership, qualities that empower individuals to thrive in any career or community they choose to build. “Investing in young people, supporting their ideas and growth, is what we believe will make the difference in the generations to come.” — Charlene Vaca, CEO of BizWorld.org Since it’s start in 2008, GEW has grown into an international collaboration involving universities, nonprofits, and corporations, hosting workshops, hackathons, and networking events throughout the week. Each year, this shared effort turns ideas into action, connecting dreamers with doers and helping people everywhere discover that entrepreneurship isn’t just for business owners, but for anyone ready to create positive change in their community. Schools such as the University of Kansas and Carnegie Mellon University now mark the week with student pitch competitions, panel discussions, and innovation challenges, each designed to inspire the next generation of change-makers. At BizWorld, Global Entrepreneurship Week is an extension of what we do every day. Throughout the week, we’re spotlighting young innovators from our programs, sharing classroom success stories, and encouraging educators to bring entrepreneurial thinking into their lessons. Whether it’s a 5th grader pitching their first startup idea in a BizWorld classroom or a YES! participant preparing for Demo Day, every moment reflects GEW’s spirit of turning ideas into action. Why celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week in the classroom matters Entrepreneurship begins long before the first business plan, it starts when students learn to think creatively, work as a team, and take ownership of their ideas. When educators bring entrepreneurial projects into their classrooms, they help students connect learning with real-world problem-solving and see themselves as capable innovators. From brainstorming sustainable products to pitching classroom business ideas, these experiences teach students the value of initiative, empathy, and perseverance. Even small lessons, like budgeting for a classroom company or identifying customer needs, build confidence and financial literacy that last a lifetime. That’s why BizWorld’s hands-on entrepreneurship programs align so naturally with GEW’s mission. Each activity transforms the classroom into a mini innovation lab, where students learn that their voices and ideas matter. So this Global Entrepreneurship Week, let’s celebrate where innovation truly begins, in the classroom, because when we teach kids to dream it, build it, and share it, we’re not just preparing future entrepreneurs, we’re empowering the next generation of change-makers. Why is Global Entrepreneurship Week important? Entrepreneurship is more than starting a business, it’s about cultivating resilience, creativity, and problem-solving. GEW highlights how daring to launch an idea can create real social and economic impact. It’s also a reminder that entrepreneurial skills, confidence, collaboration, innovative thinking, are life skills that empower people in any path they choose. One BizWorld YES! mentor put it beautifully: “Volunteering as a Mentor is more than guiding the next generation of entrepreneurs; it’s about growth, both for the mentees and for yourself.” This mindset echoes across the BizWorld community. Young Entrepreneur Success (YES!) student Sierra Mendoza shared, “Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be just a business. It could just be you trying to start something new, like you trying to be a leader. And I think that BizWorld’s program stresses that, and I think it’s very important, especially for our generation, to be leaders and just take action.” GEW and BizWorld share the very same purpose: to help people see possibilities where others see limitations. That’s why Global Entrepreneurship Week feels like home to us at BizWorld. From sparking creativity in classrooms to guiding young founders through their first business idea, BizWorld carries the same global spirit of empowerment that GEW celebrates. Both remind us that entrepreneurship is not just a skill, it’s a mindset for life. How does BizWorld fit into Global Entrepreneurship Week? At BizWorld, our mission is to equip future generations with entrepreneurial life skills that unlock their potential and create economic opportunity. Across classrooms worldwide, educators use our hands-on programs to help students experience what it means to think like entrepreneurs. Through team-based projects, design thinking, and financial literacy lessons, students learn to collaborate, lead, and innovate long before they enter the workforce. Every pitch, prototype, and classroom company formed reflects the very values Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrates: confidence, creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Educators, mentors, and supporters all have a place in this movement, whether it’s bringing BizWorld’s curriculum to your school, volunteering as a mentor, or championing the next generation of change-makers. Join the movement. Spark curiosity. Help the world see what young entrepreneurs can do! So, if you’re wondering how to truly celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, here’s a thought: Why not take a step toward your own entrepreneurial dream? You can start by applying to the BizWorld YES! Program, our 12-week business accelerator for young entrepreneurs (ages 16-22) who are ready to turn their ideas into impact. The program offers business coaching, mentoring, and a vibrant community of peers and professionals who believe in one simple truth: the innovative genius lives inside us all. Or are you no longer a young entrepreneur in the making, and now realize it’s time to give back to the younger generation? Learn about bringing BizWorld’s entrepreneurship curriculums into the schools in your local area, or volunteer to be a mentor to one of the amazing young entrepreneurs in our YES! program. Join the movement. Together, we’re igniting a world that dares to dream BIG.

November 10, 2025 No Comments

Students participating in BizWorld’s entrepreneurship and STEAM program, showcasing projects that inspire creativity, teamwork, and innovation for National Entrepreneurs Day.

education

From STEAM Projects to Startups: How Entrepreneurship Education Creates Young Innovators

National Entrepreneurs Day: Celebrating Curiosity and Creativity Every great entrepreneur starts with a question – a single “What if?” “What if I could solve this problem?” “What if my idea actually worked?” “What if I could make a difference?” That same curiosity lives in today’s classrooms. On National Entrepreneurs Day, November 18th, 2025, we celebrate not only the dreamers and innovators who are building businesses, but also the educators who light that spark of creativity in the next generation. At BizWorld, we believe entrepreneurship doesn’t begin in a boardroom. It begins in a STEAM-powered classroom where students explore, experiment, and discover how their ideas can shape the world. What Does Entrepreneurship Have to Do with STEAM? STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math – teaches students how to think critically, collaborate, and create. But more than that, it teaches them how to turn ideas into impact. When a student codes a prototype, designs a product, or tests a hypothesis, they’re doing what every entrepreneur does: identifying problems, building solutions, and learning from failure. This way of thinking lies at the heart of both the entrepreneurial mindset and the STEAM approach; it’s what defines entrepreneurs, and it’s what STEAM education seeks to develop. In this way, STEAM and entrepreneurship education share the same DNA. Both encourage curiosity, creativity, and courage; the durable life skills every student needs to thrive in the future of work. Why STEAM + Entrepreneurship Is the Perfect Combination Educators know that real learning happens when students can connect lessons to life. That’s why entrepreneurship education is one of the most effective forms of STEAM learning; it’s project-based, student-led, and rooted in real-world problem solving. Through entrepreneurship: This isn’t about teaching business for business’s sake. It’s about helping students gain life skills of confidence, empathy, and persistence, the durable skills that stay with them forever. How BizWorld Brings STEAM to Life in Classrooms Across the globe, educators use BizWorld programs to make STEAM and entrepreneurship come alive for their students. Each program in our 4 stage trajectory of learning builds essential skills in creativity, leadership, and problem-solving, all while making learning fun and engaging. BizWorld+ BizWorld+ transforms the classroom into a real-world startup simulation, giving elementary and middle school students the opportunity to experience what it takes to launch and run a business. Working collaboratively, they form companies, take on leadership roles, and guide their teams through the process of designing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling a product. Along the way, they learn to budget, design, and pitch their ideas, integrating STEAM concepts through collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. ID8 ID8 is a STEAM-focused program that brings technology and innovation to life through a challenge-based simulation. Students work in teams to develop app-based solutions to real-world problems, creating wireframes and mock-ups that showcase their ideas. As they explore user experience, coding concepts, and design thinking, they connect creativity with technology—just like real startup teams do. Impact Challenge Impact Challenge empowers students to become social entrepreneurs, creating real businesses that make a difference. Working in teams, they design and produce products, sell them for a profit, and donate their earnings to a charitable cause of their choice. Along the way, students develop creative ideas for products and solutions while applying financial literacy, ethics, and empathy, integrating STEAM concepts as they discover how entrepreneurship can drive meaningful change. Each BizWorld program is created to be easy for teachers to implement, flexible for different grade levels, and built to support STEAM standards and social-emotional learning (SEL) outcomes. From the Classroom to the Real World: The YES! Accelerator – The Final Stage in the BizWorld Trajectory For students ready to take their ideas beyond the classroom, BizWorld’s YES! (Young Entrepreneur Success) Business Accelerator Program is the final step. This 12-week online accelerator for youth ages 16–22 connects aspiring founders with experienced mentors and business professionals. Young entrepreneurs learn how to refine their business models, develop marketing strategies, and pitch to real investors, all free of charge to them. The results speak for themselves: What’s the thread between these success stories and the many others that have come from the YES! Program? Each success story began with curiosity, and grew through the mentorship and mindset BizWorld provides. Educators: The True Investors in Innovation Behind every confident young entrepreneur is an educator who made space for curiosity. When teachers introduce entrepreneurship through programs like BizWorld+, id8, and Impact Challenge, they’re not just teaching business, they’re guiding students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and solve problems creatively. “This is what school should be like all the time!” — Meg Anderson, 4th Grade Teacher “Students who were shy came out of their shells and discovered their strengths.” — Brian Rinderknecht, 5th Grade Teacher“The transformation of students in the BizWorld Program is real. Even quiet students found their voices through the BizWorld programs.” — Carolyn Tatem, Elementary School Teacher BizWorld’s trajectory of programs gives educators the tools to turn creativity into confidence, helping students apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world challenges and lifelong success and access to pursue their dreams. Most importantly, they showcase how building an entrepreneurial mindset equips students with skills that will carry them into successful futures, regardless of the careers they ultimately pursue. What Does Celebrating National Entrepreneurs Day Really Mean? It’s about celebrating the partnership between educators, mentors, and young innovators who turn imagination into impact. When STEAM and entrepreneurship meet, students don’t just learn skills – they discover possibility. And thanks to the YES! program, they have the mentorship and resources to bring those possibilities to life. This National Entrepreneurs Day, let’s continue building classrooms where creativity feels possible, innovation feels accessible, and every “what if?” finds its “how.” For Educators It’s up to you to empower your students to think boldly, act creatively, and collaborate fearlessly. Bring entrepreneurship education to life with BizWorld’s classroom programs. 👉 Explore the BizWorld Programs For Young Innovators Do you have an idea that won’t leave your mind? The Young Entrepreneur

November 10, 2025 No Comments

2025 RiskMaster Luncheon _ Website Blog Covers - BizWorld

education

Celebrate Innovation at the 21st Annual RiskMaster Luncheon

📅 December 10, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM📍 Computer History Museum, 1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043 Get your tickets to the 2025 BizWorld RiskMaster Luncheon here. The countdown is on for one of BizWorld’s most anticipated events of the year, the 21st Annual RiskMaster Luncheon. On December 10, 2025 business leaders, educators, and young entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley and across the US will come together at the Computer History Museum for an inspiring afternoon of recognition, community, and impact. This year, we are honored to present our RiskMaster award to Sal Khan, Founder & CEO of Khan Academy and author of Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That’s a Good Thing). Sal’s groundbreaking work in transforming global education through technology makes him a leader who perfectly embodies what it means to be a RiskMaster: innovative, courageous, and committed to making a difference. What to Expect at the Luncheon 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Registration & Reception 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Luncheon & Program What is the BizWorld RiskMaster Luncheon? The RiskMaster Luncheon is BizWorld’s flagship annual celebration and fundraising event honoring innovation, leadership, and education. As BizWorld’s exclusive annual fundraiser, it offers supporters a unique opportunity to witness the direct impact of their generosity while being inspired to get involved even more. Each year, we present the RiskMaster Award to a visionary leader who has taken bold risks to drive positive change in the world. The event also recognizes educators with the Educator of the Year Award and showcases inspiring student success stories from the BizWorld+ Junior Entrepreneurs, and our Young Entrepreneur Success YES! Program Beyond awards, the luncheon is a space for connection, where business leaders, educators, donors, and students come together to celebrate impact and invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs. Since its inception, BizWorld has reached more than 900,000 youth worldwide, and the RiskMaster Luncheon plays a vital role in fueling that mission. Why This Event Matters The RiskMaster Luncheon isn’t just a celebration, it’s a chance for entrepreneurship advocates like you to see your impact come to life. Every ticket purchased, table sponsored, or donation made fuels the economy through BizWorld’s mission to provide entrepreneurial education to young people across the globe. Your support empowers students to: When you attend, you don’t just hear about the future of entrepreneurship, you meet it face-to-face in the form of innovative, hungry, young entrepreneurs eager to share their ideas.The Luncheon is also a rare chance to connect with fellow champions of innovation, leaders, educators, and supporters who share a belief in the power of entrepreneurship to change lives. It’s an afternoon of ideas and inspiration that reminds us what’s possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose. How to Get Involved Here are three simple ways you can make a difference through the Luncheon: Why Supporters Are at the Heart of the Event At its core, the RiskMaster Luncheon is about celebrating the supporters who make everything possible. Without you, BizWorld’s programs would not reach the thousands of students they do each year. This event is a reminder that every gift, every moment of mentorship, and every show of support adds up to lasting change in young lives. Thank you for supporting BizWorld. We can’t do this without you. Save the Date ✨ 21st Annual Riskmaster Luncheon 📅 Wednesday, December 10, 2025 🕚 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM 📍 Computer History Museum, 1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA Book your ticket now and don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary event honoring Sal Khan and celebrating the power of entrepreneurship education. Together, we’re building brighter futures—one student, one classroom, and one community at a time.

October 2, 2025 No Comments

YES! Alumni Success Stories blog cover showing young entrepreneurs and their journey of building impactful businesses through the BizWorld YES! Program.

Case Studies

YES! Alumni Success Stories: How Young Entrepreneurs Are Building Businesses That Matter

What does it really take to start a business as a young person? For many, the thought feels impossible – too little experience, too few resources, and no access to funding. But for graduates of BizWorld’s Young Entrepreneur Success (YES!) Program, those same obstacles become the foundation of their journey. YES! provides mentorship, training, and seed funding, equipping young people with the tools they need to turn ideas into entrepreneurial ventures that make a difference. What follows are the stories of alumni who prove that with the right support, youth entrepreneurship doesn’t just work – it thrives. Joe Knopp – Ripple (Summer 2022 YES! Cohort) When most young people wonder how to start a business, Joe Knopp went ahead and did it. During the Summer 2022 YES! cohort, he launched Ripple, a unique water bottle company with a powerful mission: every purchase funds clean water projects in Africa. What began as a student startup is now a growing social venture expanding its reach and impact worldwide (see Ripple communities). By Demo Day, Joe had not only secured $8,000 in funding to scale his venture, but also positioned his startup for a successful exit shortly after the program. The mentorship gave him the structure to refine his business model and prepare for profitability. “I used that funding to reduce my costs and sharpen the business model” – Joe Knopp Joe’s story proves that youth entrepreneurship can do more than generate revenue – it can create lasting social change. Jonathan Graham & Ben Ward – StudyStash (2024 UK–UAE Cohort) For Jonathan Graham and Ben Ward, the challenge wasn’t just how to start a business as students – it was how to build one that could scale across continents. Together, Ben and Jonathan launched StudyStash, an edtech startup using neuroscience and adaptive AI to help students learn faster. YES! came at a pivotal moment for StudyStash. The program pushed them to look beyond product development and embrace the realities of running a business: finance, strategy, and pitching. With weekly accountability and mentorship, including guidance from a former Alphabet executive, they gained the clarity and confidence to scale. Since winning funding at Demo Day 2024, they’ve launched pilots with universities in Texas, the UK, and Amsterdam, and closed upwards of $500,000 toward their first investment round thanks to introductions and opportunities presented by BizWorld. “YES! gave us structure beyond product building. It pushed us to think bigger than the UK and sharpen our pitch for global opportunities.” – Jonathan Graham Jonathan and Ben’s journey is proof that with the right entrepreneurial training and support, student founders can compete on a global stage. Vienna Sparks & Skye Lam – MabLab (Winter 2024 YES! Cohort) Some founders chase profit. Others chase purpose. For Vienna and Skye, it was the latter. During the Winter 2024 cohort, they created MabLab, a venture aimed at fighting the dangers of adulterated and laced drugs – a public health crisis claiming countless lives. At Demo Day, they secured first-place, $15,000 in BizWorld seed funding and the attention of industry leaders who believed in their mission. “YES! gave us the resources and mentorship to take our idea seriously and prove it could save lives.” – Vienna Sparks Their journey highlights how programs that provide funding for young entrepreneurs don’t just spark startups, they help launch solutions that matter to entire communities (and potentially the entire world). Dylan Kong, David Choe & Nishant Saravanan – SanoSyn (Summer 2025 YES! Cohort) For Dylan, David, and Nishant, entrepreneurship meant solving a challenge no textbook had ever prepared them for: the lack of access to safe anesthesia in underserved regions. Through YES!, they co-founded SanoSyn, a portable anesthesia system designed for communities without advanced medical infrastructure. With expert mentorship, they transformed their early prototype into a viable solution and secured a spot as Pitch Day Finalists, moving on to Demo Day to pitch for up to $30,000 in funding. “The relationships we built with our mentors and peers really helped us to refine our pitch which is what specifically accelerated our idea.” – Dylan Kong SanoSyn’s story shows the power of a youth entrepreneurship accelerator, paired with mentorship, and a community of like-minded individuals. The Bigger Picture: YES! Alumni Impact Across these stories: Joe’s profitable exit, Jonathan and Ben’s global expansion, Vienna and Skye’s mission-driven startup, and Dylan’s healthcare breakthrough, a clear picture emerges: At the core of each success is a young person who once asked themselves, “Can I really start a business at my age?” Today, they’re living proof that the answer is, “YES! I can.” These stories aren’t just about business – they’re about confidence, resilience, and community. They highlight what happens when young people are given mentorship and access to pursue their dreams. Most importantly, they showcase how building an entrepreneurial mindset equips YES! alumni with skills that will carry them into successful futures, regardless of the careers they ultimately pursue. Ready to Launch Your Idea? If you’re between 16–22 and have a business idea – whether it’s just forming, already launched, or ready to scale, the YES! Program is for you. 👉 Apply to the YES! Program Winter Cohort Thanks to the generosity of BizWorld’s donors, YES! is free for all participants. That means every young entrepreneur, regardless of their background, can access world-class mentorship, the potential for seed funding, and a life-changing community. Don’t wait – apply today and take the first step toward turning your idea into a venture that makes a difference. A Call for Support Did you find the stories in this blog article inspiring? Well, they would not be possible without the support from our amazing community (people like you). From offering time and expertise to providing seed funding, your contribution shapes stories like Joe’s, Jonathan’s, Vienna’s, and Dylan’s. Please help us and support youth entrepreneurship – whether it be through mentorship, a donation, or being an advocate for our mission, your help will directly fuel the next YES! success story. “As a first-generation, lower-income

October 2, 2025 No Comments

Case Studies

AI and the Journey of a Co-Founder – YES! Special Edition Workshop

What does it really take to build a company from the ground up and how is Artificial Intelligence reshaping that journey? On October 21st, BizWorld is giving you a front-row seat to find out. Meet Jay Allardyce, co-founder of GenAI.Works, strategic advisor, and BizWorld Board Member. With over 20-years of experience guiding startups, launching businesses and exploring the potential of AI, Jay has seen firsthand how entrepreneurship is evolving and he’s ready to share those insights with you. Who is Jay Allardyce? Jay’s career has spanned startups, global tech companies, and now the frontier of artificial intelligence. His journey proves that entrepreneurship isn’t a straight line, it’s a series of risks, lessons and bold moves. Today, Jay serves as the Growth Advisor of GenAI.works, Board Member to BizWorld.org, and as an advisor to four additional AI Technology companies! To put it lightly, Jay is an expert in everything Artificial Intelligence. In this special workshop, Jay will open up about: Why Attend This Workshop? 📌 YES! Special Edition Workshop: AI & the Journey of a Co-Founder 🗓️ October 21, 2025 🕞 3:30 – 5:30 PM PDT This isn’t your ordinary Zoom webinar! Whether you’re curious about launching a business, passionate about tech, or just looking for inspiration, this session is for you! You’ll get the chance to: Bring a friend as this event is open to all young entrepreneurs, alumni and guests. Don’t Miss This Event Jay Allardyce’s workshop is more than a talk, it’s a chance to see how AI and entrepreneurship collide in real time. If you’re ready to be inspired, learn from experience and connect with fellow changemakers, this event is for you. Sign up now as spots are limited – join us on the October 21st, 2025

September 22, 2025 No Comments

education

Inside YES! International: How Youth Founders Go Global in 12 Weeks

What if your startup idea could travel from a classroom in Europe to a pitch stage in Silicon Valley, California in just three months? That’s the opportunity given through YES!, BizWorld’s Young Entrepreneur Success program, and under the partnership between BizWorld US and Lorena Szerman of BizWorld UK, YES! is quickly becoming one of the most exciting youth accelerators in the world. “YES! takes young entrepreneurs further than they ever thought possible,” Lorena explains. “We’ve built a global platform where their ideas don’t just stay local, they travel, scale, and inspire.” Why We Took YES! Global YES! first hit the international stage in 2023 with a pilot program in the UK, Japan, UAE and China. The concept was simple but bold: to launch a youth-focused business accelerator program that not only teaches entrepreneurship, but actually launches businesses on a global scale. The results spoke for themselves. Ankhway, one of the participants in our pilot international cohort, became the first YES! company out of the UK to receive funding and gain global promotion. Momentum grew quickly. By 2024, the UK joined forces with Dubai and the wider Middle East, bringing together 11 young entrepreneurs in one powerful YES! cohort. By the end of the 12-week accelerator, two UK companies, StudyStash and National Neurodiversity Training (NNT), advanced to California for the YES! Global Demo Day, where they joined their peers from U.S. cohorts to compete on the international stage. There, NNT was the top funded company alongside calSTEM.org, both receiving $10,000 in seed funding. For Lorena, this confirmed the program’s purpose: “We’re not here to run a simulation. We’re here to give young founders the exact tools, network, and confidence to compete on a global scale.” Through YES!, participants gain the knowledge, network, and access to capital they need to launch or scale their businesses into real-world ventures. What Exactly is the BizWorld YES! Program? At its core, YES! (the Young Entrepreneur Success Program) is a youth-focused, 12-week accelerator program designed to educate and scale the path of young entrepreneurs. The 12-week YES! Program consists of: As Lorena puts it: “The program spine is just 12 weeks, but the impact lasts years. Many of our founders go on to join other incubators or raise funding, but it’s YES! that gave them their first real lift.” The Impact of YES! International Presence YES! companies have already proven that success stories can begin in one country and expand globally: Alumni like NNT demonstrate the real transformation YES! provides: “Before YES!, we had just launched our first training engagements. During the programme, we validated our business model, digitized and scaled our training offering, and won the international Demo Day competition, receiving a $10,000 prize,” said Iveta Pudilova, CEO of NNT. “Since YES!, we’ve secured enterprise clients, delivering 5-figure deals, launched our online learning platform, and are now building an AI-powered assessment to scale internationally.” With YES! funding, NNT invested in the technical infrastructure to build its platform. Their mentor, Daryn, not only refined their commercial strategy but joined their advisory board, helping shape product-market fit and long-term scale. These aren’t case studies stuck in a slide deck; they are youth-led companies already generating over $2.5 million in combined annual revenue. Each win reinforces that YES! is more than an accelerator. It’s a launchpad where 42% of participants come from low-to-moderate income households and over 80% of participant businesses continue to scale after the first year. The Power of the YES! Ecosystem: Universities, Mentors, Scouts YES! is designed as an ecosystem, not a silo. Four primary groups power the flywheel: Together, these partnerships make YES! bigger than any single cohort. It becomes a movement, attracting resources, visibility, and opportunities. It builds on the foundation Lorena has already laid with BizWorld UK, impacting numurous young entrepreneurs so far, and causing BizWorld to be voted the best non-curriculum activity in UK private schools. What’s Next for YES! International? Canada + Beyond The momentum is growing! This fall, YES! is incubating its first Canada cohort, with between 5–20 startups expected to join. Like the UK model, the program will be backed by universities, mentors, and local community partners, all tied into the global network. The vision doesn’t stop there. With advisory boards now in place and growing interest across regions, YES! is always looking for its next chapters around the globe. “YES! is more than an accelerator,” Lorena reflects. “It’s a global bridge for youth founders. Wherever they start, we want them to feel they can go further.” Ready to Get Involved? YES! thrives on collaboration. Whether you’re an aspiring young founder, a mentor ready to share expertise, a university eager to cohost an educational workshop, or a sponsor who believes in the next generation, there’s a place for you. As one alumnus put it: “YES! gave us structured accountability, funding, and mentorship to think more strategically about scale, and gave us the confidence to take our business international.” – Iveta Pudilova, CEO of NNT

September 9, 2025 No Comments

BizWorld Jamaica pilot students presenting business ideas during entrepreneurship education workshop

Case Studies

Entrepreneurship Education in Action: How BizWorld’s International Pilot Turned Students into Entrepreneurs

“Entrepreneurs will change the world. All they need is someone to open the door.”– Chris Cochran, Executive Director, Entrepreneurs Across Borders Ruby walked into the room with her arms crossed. “I don’t want to be here,” she told the BizWorld team on the first morning of the BizWorld Jamaica pilot program. By lunchtime, everything had changed for Ruby – she was standing in front of her group, directing tasks with confidence. By the second day, she was pitching a business idea with a seriousness that surprised everyone; most of all, herself. A few weeks later, another participant from the same program launched a small barber service and is now earning enough money from his new business to pay his own school fees and even hire help. These aren’t just nice anecdotes. They are glimpses of what happens when young people step into entrepreneurship education and discover that their ideas matter. “That barber shop idea reminded all of us that it’s not about creating the next unicorn startup. It’s about a young person realizing, ‘I can do this. I can start something of my own.’” – Chris Cochran Behind these life-changing stories is Entrepreneurs Across Borders (EAB), led by their Executive Director, Chris Cochran. Their mission is simple but bold: beat poverty through entrepreneurship. When EAB partnered with the BizWorld US team, the alignment was clear. Provide hands-on entrepreneurship education to build teamwork, financial literacy, and leadership to underserved communities. EAB brings the networks and partnerships that connect students to mentors, resources, and real-world opportunities around the world. Together, they piloted BizWorld’s flagship program internationally in Jamaica, and the ripple effects began immediately. What does a BizWorld International pilot program look like in action? Think of it as a hackathon: intense, hands-on collaboration packed into just a couple of days of immersive, project-based learning! In this unique immersive environment, students team up, design products, budget resources, and pitch ideas, all while educators guide and encourage these budding young entrepreneurs. It’s fast, fluid, exciting and deeply revealing. In just two days, a reluctant teenager like Ruby (the nervous, apprehensive girl from before) can transform into a leader. In the same timeframe, a student can walk away inspired enough to launch a real business, like the barber who proudly shared that his mom no longer needs to cover his school fees on his behalf. But wait, these two stories aren’t just one-off accidents. Over the past 25+ years, BizWorld has equipped more than 890,000 young people worldwide with entrepreneurial life skills, reaching nearly 22,000 students in the past year alone. Those numbers aren’t simply statistics for a report. They’re proof that a short spark can grow into an ecosystem of entrepreneurs, mentors, and opportunities. Why is Now the Time for Entrepreneurship Education? Entrepreneurship education is one of the fastest ways to create opportunity worldwide. It changes how students see themselves. It gives them the tools to build businesses, support families, and transform communities. Do you want to be a part of helping to spark the inner superpowers of youth world-wide? Whether you become a partner, mentor, or BizWorld educator, you’re not just helping students learn, you’re opening doors for the next generation of leaders. Every contribution helps scale these life-changing programs to reach even more young entrepreneurs worldwide. [Donate to Empower Young Entrepreneurs] [Learn about becoming a BizWorld International Partner] [Sign Up to Mentor Young Entrepreneurs] [Bring Entrepreneurship Education to Your School]

September 9, 2025 No Comments

education

The BizWorld Programs Trajectory: The Ultimate Building Blocks for Youth Entrepreneurship!

Are your students ready to launch into the future with real-world skills, entrepreneurial confidence, and critical thinking? This blog unpacks the full BizWorld Trajectory – our series of four progressive youth entrepreneurship programs that build on each other, starting as early as 3rd Grade and continuing through to college. The BizWorld Trajectory is our structured “rocket launch mission” of entrepreneurial learning: beginning with BizWorld+, followed by id8, then the Impact Challenge, and culminating in the YES! Program. Each stage is designed to develop future-ready, business-minded young leaders through real-world experience and hands-on learning. Welcome aboard the BizWorld Trajectory, where learners don’t just dream about success… they land it. With every module, BizWorld helps students build, launch, and land skills that shape future-ready leaders. Whether you’re teaching 3rd Grade or middle schoolers, the BizWorld Trajectory provides age-appropriate, hands-on entrepreneurial education that empowers students to lead, innovate, and solve real problems. Let’s countdown and blast off through each stage of the BizWorld Trajectory. 👩‍🚀👨‍🚀🛸 Stage 1: BizWorld+ – “Ignition: Building the Entrepreneur’s Brain” The first step in the BizWorld Trajectory is BizWorld+, our foundational program. Like prepping your rocket for launch, this stage gives students the tools to think like entrepreneurs. Through 17 action-packed lessons, students start and run mock businesses. They budget, manage cash flow, collaborate, and market their products, all while learning essential life skills, financial literacy, leadership, and critical thinking. As one educator puts it: “I think this program is going to change everything; not just how students learn, but how teachers see their role in unlocking real-world skills.” – Wendy Tibbs, Educator and BizWorld advocate. Skills Built in BizWorld+ : By the end of BizWorld+, students don’t just understand business, they see themselves as capable problem solvers, ready to take on the entrepreneurial world. Stage 2: id8 – “Prototype & Launch: The Design Mission” The next program in the BizWorld Trajectory is id8, where students become mission designers! This STEAM-based program focuses on design thinking, empathy, and technology. Students identify real-world challenges, prototype digital apps, and pitch solutions that matter. Think of it as creating advanced tech for intergalactic explorers. If your students can design for Earth, who says they can’t design for Mars? Skills Built in the id8 program: Got your tech toolkit ready? Then it’s time to move on to our next stop! Stage 3: Impact Challenge – “Reaching Orbit: Leading with Purpose” Now the real leadership training begins. The Impact Challenge, our third program in the BizWorld Trajectory, equips students to become social entrepreneurs – leaders who combine business strategy with community impact. Students launch ventures that tackle real issues, from recycling to mental health, proving they’re not just dreamers; they’re doers. This is where they plant their flags, not just on any planet, but in their own communities. Skills Built in the Impact Challenge program: With their mission in motion and impact underway, it’s time for the final ascent. Stage 4: the YES! Program – “Final Landing: Build Your Own Business Base” The YES! Program (Young Entrepreneur Success) is the final stage of the trajectory. It’s a 12-week accelerator for students aged 16–22, packed with expert mentorship, full business planning, and real investor pitches. Here, students don’t just simulate businesses, they build them. They launch real companies and pitch their ideas to investors for a chance to win up to $30,000 in seed funding, taking their first bold step into the real business universe. Skills Built in the YES! program: It’s the ultimate launchpad, where young entrepreneurs turn vision into venture and ideas into impact. Why the BizWorld Trajectory Matters for Educators The BizWorld Trajectory transforms your classroom into a launchpad. The BizWorld programs are all built on one another to provide an all in one project-based learning, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and 21st-century learning curriculum. The impact that teachers have is extraordinary. In fact, the average teacher will influence over 3,000 students in their career. Imagine how powerful that influence becomes when paired with real-world education that prepares students for life beyond the classroom. Key benefits for your classroom through the BizWorld programs: ✅ Aligned with state curriculum and standardized testing goals✅ Designed for elementary to middle school ✅ Hands-on, engaging, and ready to deploy✅ Supports a flexible implementation✅ Fosters SEL, teamwork, and leadership Ready to Launch? Don’t wait for a spaceship. The future is already in your classroom. Equip your students with the entrepreneurial tools they need to build, innovate, and lead. 👉 Explore deeper into all of these programs at bizworld.org/programs At BizWorld the trajectory to student success isn’t light-years away – all it takes is one small step.

August 11, 2025 No Comments

Blog cover photo _ This Female Founder Story Will Change How You Think About Success | Olivia Batraski | BABCO

Educational Blog

This Female Founder Story Will Change How You Think About Success | Olivia Batraski | BABCO

Who says you have to follow one path to reach success? What if in order to achieve success, you didn’t have to pick just one career, and what if you didn’t have to sacrifice your personal life to get there either? Meet Olivia Batraski, former Airbnb design leader, mom of two, and now founder of a global creative agency built on joy, flexibility, and real impact. Her story is a blueprint for anyone (especially young women) who want to lead without having to fit into a mold. Olivia’s story shows that entrepreneurship isn’t only about starting a company it’s about creating something meaningful on your own terms. Work, Life, and Leadership – Redesigned For Olivia, “building boldly” means designing a life where work, motherhood, and creativity don’t compete – they coexist. In a culture that often equates success with hustle and burnout, she’s proving that leadership can be flexible, authentic, and joyful. As the founder of BABCO (Badass Bitches Co) Olivia leads a global, women-led, A.I. design agency built to serve fast growing startups without sacrificing the human side of work. A former Airbnb design leader, she spent nearly a decade helping shape the digital experiences of millions; but something shifted when she became a mother… “I realized I wanted to work on my own terms, in a way that allowed me to be fully present in both my life and my work,” said Olivia Today, Olivia and BABCO deliver high-impact design strategies, while giving its team the freedom to live and work how they choose – a vision many young leaders now aspire to. Rethinking What It Means to Be a Founder For most of her career (up until now) Olivia didn’t see herself as an entrepreneur. “I didn’t consider myself one… until people started calling me one,” she says. “It took stepping out of the corporate world to realize that building something of your own, especially in a way that feels authentic is a form of leadership in itself.” That mindset shift is one she hopes to pass on to the next generation of creators and innovators. Her journey is proof that you don’t need to have it all figured out to start building and that entrepreneurship can be deeply personal. Inspiring the Next Generation with BizWorld When Olivia judged BizWorld’s YES! Demo Day in a “Shark Tank” style pitch event, something clicked. “These kids were fearless. They were pitching real ideas, solving problems, and collaborating. I wish I had been exposed to that kind of thinking when I was younger.” Now, she’s a vocal advocate for BizWorld’s mission to spark entrepreneurial mindsets early, especially in underrepresented communities because early exposure to a different way of thinking can change everything. Representation Matters: Black Business Month During National Black Business Month, this August 2025, Olivia’s journey is a reminder that leadership comes in many forms, and representation matters. In a field where black women are still underrepresented in tech and design leadership, Olivia’s presence inspires others to claim their space. “I try to show up as myself. I’ve learned that how I present myself matters, and I want my kids to understand that too.” Her story is a powerful example of what’s possible when we stop trying to be someone else and we start steering into our own true identities and build what’s most important to us; no matter what anyone else thinks. Olivia’s Advice to Young Entrepreneurs Inspired by Olivia’s story? BizWorld wants to help you to gain the skills and confidence to lead. Learn more about our Young Entrepreneur Success Program, and take the first step towards becoming the entrepreneur of your dreams.

August 11, 2025 No Comments

education

Educators, Kickstart Your Student’s Year with 50% off BizWorld’s Entrepreneurship & STEAM Programs.

“BizWorld+ is not a teacher-led program, it’s student-led. We just guide the process, and they take off.” – Sherri Wright, BizWorld Educator As a new school year begins, so do the questions: This fall, BizWorld is making it easier than ever to start the year strong — with 50% off all programs for a limited time. (Use code “Back2School” at checkout to get 50% off any BizWorld Program.) The demand for SEL and STEAM programs in schools, project-based learning, and entrepreneurship education is growing rapidly. Educators are seeking tools that combine academic standards with life skills. BizWorld’s programs give educators a way to teach real-world life skills, including business, financial literacy, and collaboration while inspiring students to think creatively and solve real-world problems. Whether you’re teaching 3rd graders or mentoring high schoolers, BizWorld gives you a real-world-ready curriculum that’s easy to implement and powerful in impact. Why Do Educators Choose BizWorld? Educators choose BizWorld because its programs are designed for real classrooms: they’re flexible to implement, teacher-supported, and rooted in 21st-century skills. The magic of BizWorld isn’t in a binder. It’s in the way students step up, speak out, and surprise you. BizWorld helps you teach: Each program, from BizWorld+ to id8 to Impact Challenge and YES!, is part of a larger trajectory that grows with your students. “The transformation of students in the BizWorld Program is real. Even quiet students found their voices through the BizWorld programs.”– Carolyn Tatem, 2024 Educator of the Year According to We Are Teachers, the average educator impacts more than 3,000 students in their lifetime. That means the tools you choose, the experiences you offer, have a ripple effect that lasts for decades. As more schools adopt SEL and STEAM programs for elementary students, and explore entrepreneurship curriculum in the classroom, BizWorld stands out as a proven solution that aligns with both student needs and teaching goals. You’re not just teaching content. You’re unlocking futures. “BizWorld helped me step back and watch students take control — that’s where the real magic is.”– Wendy Tibbs, Educator For a deeper look at how educators like Sherri Wright, Caroline Tatem and Wendy Tibbs bring BizWorld to life, read their story here → Why Are All BizWorld Programs 50% Off Right Now? Because this year’s Back2School campaign is more than a sale. It’s a moment to give students the kind of start they deserve — where learning feels exciting, empowering, and real. Use code Back2School at checkout and receive 50% off any program.Shop all programs now. Get Started Explore BizWorld’s trajectory of programs, and let this year be the one your students truly remember. From hands-on entrepreneurship projects to STEM-aligned lessons that build real-world skills, BizWorld’s programs give educators a meaningful way to introduce project-based learning into their classrooms with purpose and flexibility. The most impactful classrooms don’t just deliver information, they create innovation. 🔗 Get 50% off all programs with code “Back2School” at checkout →

August 8, 2025 No Comments

Category: Newsletters

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This Female Founder Story Will Change How You Think About Success | Olivia Batraski | BABCO

Educators, Kickstart Your Student’s Year with 50% off BizWorld’s Entrepreneurship & STEAM Programs.

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