The UCL School of Management has recently partnered with the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) and UCL’s Institute of Education (IOE) to bring free, digital entrepreneurship education to children and teenagers across the UK and beyond.

The partnership aims to equip young people with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

The YEA was launched with support from School of Management, the King’s Trust and a group of leading entrepreneurs. Initially starting out as a summer holiday business workshop, it has since grown into an Academy that offers interactive educational series to young people.

Paul Herman, Chair & Founder of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, outlined the aims of the YEA:

“Our goal is simple: give every young person – regardless of background or neurodiverse profile – the tools to explore entrepreneurship. Whether a student aspires to start their own venture or simply think more creatively and independently, the skills they gain will be invaluable – and with a certificate from UCL School of Management, it’s a powerful boost for any future path.

“We’ve already seen remarkable enthusiasm from hundreds of state and independent schools eager to prepare students for the future of work.”

Following a successful pilot involving over 700 students in 40 schools, the YEA has launched its flagship programme Basics of Business: Beginner to Boss, a 20-part series that introduces students aged ten to sixteen to core business concepts through interactive lessons, real-world challenges and inspiring entrepreneur interviews. Learners will gain practical skills in creativity, financial literacy and problem-solving, culminating in the development of a viable business plan.

Professor Davide Ravasi, Director at UCL School of Management, expressed his excitement for the collaboration: 

“I’m delighted that the UCL School of Management can support the Young Entrepreneurs Academy in its mission. There should be no barrier to education and this programme will give talented young people the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills which will help them maximise their potential both personally and professionally.”

The programme is free for schools and students, ensuring accessibility regardless of socio-economic background. It also addresses key priorities highlighted in the Department for Education’s Curriculum and Assessment Review, including closing the socio-economic and SEND attainment gap, responding to social and technological change and providing vocational pathways for diverse learners.

Lauren Smithie, CEO of YEA, emphasised the urgency of preparing young people for the future:

“Most of the jobs today’s students will do don’t even exist yet. That’s why it’s so important we give them the skills to thrive, no matter what the future throws at them.

“We’re incredibly excited about our partnership with UCL School of Management, whose backing allows us to further democratise access to high-quality entrepreneurship education for every young person.”

The programme has already attracted interest from more than 200 schools across the UK and internationally, with strong engagement at recent education events such as the IAPS Annual Conference and the Schools and Academies Show. YEA will continue to expand its offering with holiday bootcamps and further series development, with ‘The Business of Sport’ currently in production.

By embedding entrepreneurship early, the initiative supports the development of confidence, creativity and employability skills for all learners.

Schools interested in joining the rollout can learn more at www.youngentrepreneurs.academy.