Jersey’s Young Entrepreneurship Award - powered by Natwest International

The YEA programme equips Jersey’s young people aged 14-18 with entrepreneurial skills through educational workshops, mentorship, and real-world business challenges: culminating in a final pitch event to showcase innovative ideas. Three winners will take a free entrepreneurial trip to London!

2025 Winners: Our inaugural 2025 programme saw eight fantastic young entrepreneurs pitching to win.

Well done to Giles, Sienna and Tiara for winning the 2025 prizes. Our winners will take an entrepreneurial trip to London together in the spring to get inspired and make real industry connections.

The 2025 YEA Cohort

Applications for 2026 will open in the spring.

How does the programme work?

Workshops will happen in Jersey, 1-2x a month between June and September. You will learn real business skills and apply them to your own projects, with guidance from our teachers and mentors.

Nurture your ideas into a real pitch and present your business at our end-of-year event. Three winners will go on a free entrepreneurial tour of London, growing their knowledge and connections even further!

Read our FAQ section below for more information, or contact us at admin@learn.je with any questions.

Follow the Young Entrepreneurship Award on social media to keep up with the latest news!

• Who can apply?

  All young people living in Jersey aged 14-18 are encouraged to apply. You don’t need any qualifications or experience, we will help you develop an idea from scratch, test your business idea in the real world,  and turn it into a real business pitch.

• Why should I apply?

  There are many options for your future, and exploring business skills can help you choose the right path for you. The YEA programme can inspire your GCSE, A-Level and University choices.

  You might choose to go straight into the world of business and become a young entrepreneur! Try the programme now to inspire your future.

• What will I learn?

  There will be six workshops, once per month, taught by business professionals. Topics will include: product development, creating a business pitch, financing, marketing and more.

• How much work will I be doing?

  Each of the six workshops will be around 3 hours long. You are expected to attend all of the workshops. Dates and times will be shared when you are accepted into the cohort. 

  You will also be encouraged to work on your businesses outside of learning time, at least 2 hours a month of at home work will help you make your pitch a real success.

• Do I need to have a business idea already?

  No, this is the best part! We will teach you how to create an idea from scratch that inspires you and improves the world. Our mentors will be available to help you one-on-one to nurture your ideas into a reality. However, if you do already have an idea, that’s great! We can help you move it forward in the right direction.

• Where will the workshops take plae?

  Exact locations will be confirmed when you are accepted into the cohort. All workshops will take place in St Helier so you will have easy access by car, bus or walking.

• What are the timelines?

  Exact timelines will be confirmed when you are accepted into the cohort, but here is a guide:

  01 March - 30 April: Application window is open
  May: Interviews for applicants and cohort selection
  June - September: Workshops and business development
  December: Pitch event and winners chosen