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Who Can Participate

A key principle of the programme is providing benefits for the wider African business community. All businesses, regardless of their experience and field, can expect added value from participating in the programme.
 
The programme encourages the participation of both:
• Promising new entrepreneurs
• Successful experienced businessmen and women

New entrepreneur registration

In order to apply to the Young Entrepreneurs Program, please apply online by completing the following steps:

1. Enter your information in the form linked below.
2. Click the Register button.
3. Complete the payment information which appears after clicking the Register button.
4. Follow the instructions that are detailed on the form and complete payment of $123/R860.
For more information regarding this process please visit the YEP website at www.yepsa.co.za.

  • New Entrepreneur Profile
  • Activities & Responsibilities

Eligibility criteria for New entrepreneurs

You can participate in the programme as a new entrepreneur as long as you have a potential business idea.
This includes:
• "Would-be" entrepreneurs, who are firmly planning to start a business based on a viable business plan;
The business can be in any sector.
As a prospective new entrepreneur, you must also meet the following criteria:
• Be a permanent resident in one of the participating African countries;
• Have a concrete project or business idea, reflected in a business plan;
• Clearly demonstrate your motivation and commitment to engage in all of the activities included in the American program;
• Be prepared to contribute to the development of the host entrepreneur's business and make available your skills and competences;
• Be able to provide any extra money as a stipend will not be provided. Meals, accommodation, transportation, and school fees will all be covered.

As a new entrepreneur in the Young Entrepreneurs Program, you will be expected to fulfill the following tasks and responsibilities:
• Draft and sign a “Commitment to Quality” which ensures the smooth relationship between yourself and the programme assistants you will be interacting with during your stay;
• Sign an agreement and waiver with YEP and IBA;
• Submit a report once your stay abroad has been completed, describing the work performed, the skills and knowledge you acquired and the benefits of the programme on the development of your own business;
• Ensure that the objectives of the exchange are being achieved to guarantee a successful and productive stay;
• Act as an “ambassador” for the Young Entrepreneurs Program by holding yourself to the highest standard of behaviour at all times.
As a new entrepreneur, you will have the opportunity to carry out the following activities during your stay abroad:
• Attend classes in business at a College that is prestigious and accredited.
• Work at an established company in your ideal business sector
• Network with professionals in another country
• Experience a new culture and way of life
• Gain insight into how the American business market works
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Eligibility criteria to enter the program.

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Angola, Namibia, Botswana,Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Swaziland, Kenya, DRC

You can participate in the programme as a new entrepreneur as long as your business activities are in their early stages.
This includes:
• "Would-be" entrepreneurs, who are firmly planning to start a business based on a viable business plan;
• Entrepreneurs who have started their own business within the last 3 years.
The business can be in any sector.
As a prospective new entrepreneur, you must also meet the following criteria:
• Be a permanent resident in one of the listed African countries;
• Have a concrete project or business idea, reflected in a business plan;
• Clearly demonstrate your motivation and commitment to engage in a working relationship with an experienced entrepreneur from USA;
• Be prepared to contribute to the development of the host entrepreneur's business and make available your skills and competences;
• Be ready to raise additional funds to cover the costs of the stay abroad if these exceed the Provided Funding.
• Be ready to pay a minimum fee of R860/ $123.00 for your application form.

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Lifelong benefits for YEP entrepreneurs

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Angola, Namibia, Botswana,Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Swaziland, Kenya, DRC

Active participation in the IBA Young Entrepreneurs programme offers aspiring new entrepreneurs the chance to experience a wide range of benefits:
• Up to six weeks stay with a successful and experienced entrepreneur in USA to gain relevant business start-up knowledge in a wide range of areas such as marketing, financial accounting, customer relations, business finance etc. ;
• Practical and financial assistance such as issuing contracts, induction courses before the exchange, logistical and local support during the stay, and a grant covering the travel and subsistence costs during the stay abroad;
• Membership of an international business Academy network of successful entrepreneurs;
• Possible opportunities for collaboration and the development of cross-border business co-operation;
• Insights into different cultural and organisational settings and how companies function in different countries;
• Improved language skills;
• Understanding the regulatory framework in another country.