Youth Business International (YBI)

When Olena was unable to return home to Ukraine, she decided to use her skills as a psychologist to support others in the same situation. By removing barriers to young migrants and refugees, host economies can gain new skills, knowledge and even positive social impact. Through the SEER programme, our member Inner City Enterprise has helped Olena achieve self-employment in Ireland which makes the best use of her skills and passions. #youngentrepreneur #womenentrepreneurs #migrantentrepreneurs

So far in 2025, the YBI network has added: 👥👥👥 six new members 🌍 🌏 based across two continents and 21 countries 🆕 including 13 new countries! We can't wait to work with these inspiring organisations dedicated to supporting young entrepreneurs to start businesses, generate more jobs, and build a better future. You can meet them all here: https://lnkd.in/eskRgHY2

We are looking for an Interim Director of New Business Development and have partnered with Periodot for the recruitment. Please share with your network! You can learn more about this exciting opportunity and apply to work with our team here: https://lnkd.in/enAshSXV

Zarina wanted to experience another culture when she moved from Chile to Italy. Now, she’s making a local social impact through her company Badacare. Zarina has been supported by our member Associazione MicroLab as part of the SEER programme. She’s received mentoring and support tailored to the unique challenges faced by migrants who are eager to understand how to start a business in their new home country. The programme, which has now been extended, is helping to remove some of those barriers faced by young entrepreneurs. #youngentrepreneur #womenentrepreneurs #migrantentrepreneurs

Through our German member KIZ SINNOVA gGmbH's Futuremakers Female Training, funded by Standard Chartered Foundation as part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, volunteer mentors from Standard Chartered have made a real difference, sharing their time, expertise, and insights to guide and inspire young women in business. Meet Marion Reuter, one of these incredible mentors, as she reflects on her experience and the impact of mentorship in shaping the future of female entrepreneurship. #PoweringYoungPeople Soforthelfer / Futuremakers Germany

Sustainability Lessons from Young Entrepreneurs 🌍💡 Two inspiring young entrepreneurs, Fouad (supported by TERN - The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network) and Sally (supported by Launch It), offer strikingly similar reflections on their experience of the Sustainability Toolkit training: it’s not just a business practice. Considering sustainability a guiding principle as well as an aim helps integrate it into every aspect of a business. Fouad now integrates sustainability into every step of his business journey, from supplier choices to aligning with the SDGs. Sally sees sustainability as a phased approach that will develop in line with her business growth. Their stories highlight the growing movement of young entrepreneurs redefining business success as making a lasting social and environmental impact. Learn more about the Sustainability Toolkit’s impact on youth businesses: https://lnkd.in/ey54jxAR #Sustainability #YouthEntrepreneurship #GreenBusiness #SocialImpact #YBI

Starting a business in a new country comes with a serious learning curve. With the right support, young migrant and refugee entrepreneurs can bring their existing skills and determination and a fresh perspective to their host economy, just like Maksym when he started his new business in Germany. Thanks to the support of our member KIZ – Erst der Mensch, dann die Zahlen and guidance he received through the SEER programme, Maksym’s business is growing steadily.

We are pleased to welcome Instellar Indonesia to the YBI global network. As a pioneer in social impact advisory, Instellar is dedicated to accelerating social innovation in start-ups through consultancy, programmes, and investment — focusing on impact, communication, and operations. Instellar is also joining our Unlocking Opportunities for Inclusive Financial Growth programme, funded by Standard Chartered Foundation as part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered. Through this initiative, they will empower 100 underserved young entrepreneurs by providing them with essential tools, resources, and financial support. As part of this, Instellar will deliver a Revolving Loan Fund, enabling 70 young entrepreneurs to access finance, and create and sustain 100 jobs. "Instellar is truly honoured to join the global Youth Business International network. This marks the beginning of an inspiring journey to foster collaboration in building impactful, sustainable, and meaningful businesses that create lasting change." We are excited to collaborate with Instellar to support young entrepreneurs in Indonesia and beyond.

Young migrant entrepreneurs can bring unique skills to their host economy, and with the right support, they can make a sustainable difference. Selena is offering driving lessons in three languages, helping other migrants like herself integrate into Swedish society a little easier. Through our member NyföretagarCentrum Sverige in Sweden, she has benefited from the SEER programme and received advice and mentoring that’s enabled her to get her business off the ground. This year, she’s planning on hiring more driving instructors so her business can keep growing. #youngentrepreneur #womenentrepreneurs #migrantentrepreneurs

This International Women's Day, it’s time to #AccelerateAction for women entrepreneurs. Women-led businesses are a powerful force for economic growth, innovation, and job creation — but systemic barriers still hold them back. At YBI, we’re committed to breaking down these barriers and building inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems where young women can thrive. From Adaeze Akpagbula in Nigeria, empowering smallholder farmers with Farmspeak Technology, to Vangapally Keerthana in India, creating jobs through 9nutz Millet products, we’ve seen firsthand how investing in women transforms businesses, communities, and economies. That’s why we’re driving initiatives like our Revolving Loan Fund in Kenya with Somo, ensuring young women entrepreneurs have access to the finance they need to grow. The impact is clear: Research suggests that closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship and employment could boost global GDP by over 20 per cent. The time to act is now. Let’s champion young women entrepreneurs and unlock a more inclusive, sustainable future. Read more in our blog: https://lnkd.in/eZtvK9iW #IWD2025