Events
The Youth Business International Bootcamp will launch hundreds of youth-led enterprises into Generation Growth. The two-phase accelerator programme will instil the skills, tools, know-how and connections to grow your business, markets and profits. We’ll show you how to drive sustainable growth across borders and industries and build life-long relationships with peers, investors, and collaborators.
Youth Business International (YBI) is committed to empowering Generation Growth to enable thriving youth-led businesses to make the transition from start-up to scale, building stable economies and future-proofing job markets for generations to come.
The YBI Bootcamp is a unique opportunity to learn from impact entrepreneurship experts, collaborate with peers from around the world – both online and in-person – and be shortlisted for the Global Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
YBI’s Bootcamp has two distinct phases. An online digital eight-week course designed to propel learning, embed theory and provide practical solutions that can be deployed within your business.
Participants of the digital phase, taking place 14 September to 6 November 2026, can expect to embed new skills and practices to enable them to take their business to the next level, increase growth, overcome hurdles and forge connections with peers across industries and geographies. See what’s on the agenda below.
For 21 extraordinary graduates of the digital phase, the in-person Bootcamp is an exclusive opportunity to benefit from expertise truly tailored to their individual business. For one week, from 15 to 19 February 2027, they will be able to develop bespoke strategies alongside personal plans and goals in an intensive week-long immersive experience. All participants will also qualify as finalists for one of the three Global Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award categories.
Finalists at the in-person Bootcamp will meet with leaders in innovation, entrepreneurship and business leadership as well as have a chance to benefit from 1-2-1 coaching, practising pitching skills and forming life-long friendships through networking with a select group of entrepreneurs from all over the world.
The week-long experience will culminate with a celebration and the Global Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards ceremony. Learn more about the awards, categories and prizes here.
Applications close: 6 September 2026.
Each phase of the Bootcamp provides unique experiences to learn and connect with other entrepreneurs and a wider supporting network. The online phase will lay foundations, and the in-person phase will build on this experience to really hone participants’ skills.
YBI’s eight-week digital bootcamp, will be open to entrepreneurs supported by YBI members, is free to join and will take place on YBI’s state-of-the-art EYE Academy. It will focus on delivering transformational learning experiences and building global business relationships.
Designed to target high-growth potential businesses from across the globe. Over the eight weeks participants will learn how to develop a journey to scale and can expect to improve pitching skills, expand their understanding of innovation and develop new opportunities for growth, identify strategies to improve mental health and embed affordable responsible and sustainable practices.
Through a blend of self-paced learning, webinars and peers connections entrepreneurs can access world leading trainings and learnings built on YBI’s 25 years as the global expert in youth entrepreneurship support.
Modules will include:
The course will run from 14 September – 6 November 2026 online.
View the digital bootcamp agenda here.
The in-person YBI Bootcamp – for 21 extraordinary participants from the digital phase – is free to attend and includes all expenses paid. It will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, over five days from 15 to 19 February 2027. Nairobi is a hub of entrepreneurial innovation and the commercial hub of East Africa, making it an excellent setting for the YBI Bootcamp. We will be returning to the Kenya School of Monetary Studies, where the 2024 Global Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award ceremony took place, to continue the legacy of entrepreneurs working towards positive impact and sustainable economic growth.
The in-person Bootcamp will focus on delivering transformational learning experiences and building global business relationships. The participants will exchange and learn with experts, develop their entrepreneurial growth mindset, refine pitch skills and master effective leadership, all while networking with peers and business leaders to form lasting supportive relationships.
You will need to meet the following criteria to apply to the Youth Business International Bootcamp:
If you feel that you don’t tick all of the above boxes, please still have a look at the application form and reach out to us if you’re unsure at [email protected].
High Growth Potential businesses are those that can grow in the future by selling more products and services to existing customers or by acquiring new customers quickly. These businesses show future ability to:
