Youth Business International (YBI)

Member Spotlight: MyDough, South Africa MyDough joined the YBI network last year, participating in our Sustainability Toolkit programme supported by JPMorganChase. Along with 14 other YBI members, they’ve helped us test and refine this tool that can help young entrepreneurs in any setting run their business more sustainably.    To kick off MyDough’s Member Spotlight, their Managing Director Thabelo Raphala CA(SA), MBA, Cert.Dir. explains why joining the network aligned with their mission of connecting and supporting more African entrepreneurs.    Keep an eye out over the next week as we celebrate MyDough’s work and the young entrepreneurs who have benefited from their services. 

Join Youth Business International (YBI) and Village Capital at the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs ANDE London Member Meeting 2025 this Monday, 31st of Mach, for an interactive session on "Reimagining Capital Flow: ESOs as Catalysts in Capital Deployment". Early-stage entrepreneurs struggle to access the capital they need to grow. How can enterprise support organisations (ESOs) bridge this gap and drive more inclusive, efficient funding models? In our session, we’ll explore: ✅ How locally-led ESOs can be integrated into investment processes to create more inclusive and efficient financing models ✅ Insights from YBI’s Youth Entrepreneurship Policy Framework on barriers to growth finance ✅ YBI's Financial Health Theory of Change The session will be led by YBI's CEO Anita Tiessen and Village Capital's CEO Allie Burns. Register by Friday, 28th of March to join us: https://lnkd.in/ecM6BN-Q

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of joining our UK member, School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE), for their Women's Enterprise Growth Programme Graduation — one of the member-led projects under YBI’s Empower and Elevate Programme, funded by Standard Chartered Foundation as part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered. SSE's programme supports young female and non-binary entrepreneurs in building the skills, networks, and confidence needed to grow purpose-driven micro-enterprises and create jobs in underserved communities. Four inspiring entrepreneurs took the stage to pitch for Match Trading awards: 💡 Vivienne Isebor – ADHD Babes provides a vital community for Black women and non-binary people with ADHD. 🎭 dora colquhoun – Violet Arts champions neurodivergent stories through creative community arts projects. 🔧 Imogen Woolley – Liverpool Tool Library offers a space to share DIY resources, tools and skills, reducing costs and waste. 💃 Katherine Tinoco – ArtPerUK CIC celebrates Peruvian culture through dance while creating job opportunities for migrants in the UK. 👏 Congratulations to all the graduates! We look forward to sharing more of their inspiring journeys and the impact of their businesses.

Please join us in welcoming Anza Entrepreneurs to the YBI network 🎉 Anza is a not-for-profit organization founded on the belief that entrepreneurs will transform Tanzania’s economy. Over the past decade, they have empowered over 3,000 entrepreneurs in agriculture, clean energy, water and sanitation, health, education, financial inclusion, and technology. "Becoming a member of the YBI Network marks a significant milestone in our journey. We are thrilled to collaborate with like-minded organizations to drive meaningful change and create opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs."

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