Tapping the entrepreneurial spirit

University School's Young Entrepreneur Institute believes that every child should understand and experience entrepreneurship. As a leading organization focused on youth entrepreneurship in the United States, YEI helps students learn entrepreneurial skills, provides opportunities for students, connects with other Northeast Ohio students and entrepreneur organizations, and encourages students to return to Northeast Ohio to pursue careers.

Since its founding in 2006, more than 15,000 students have participated in one or more Young Entrepreneur Institute activities. With the generous support of University School, community foundations and organizations, Young Entrepreneur Institute expanded beyond University School in 2008 and now has partnerships with many schools and organizations throughout the region. More than a thousand educators and schools, both public and private across the region, have benefited from the programs, materials, workshops, conferences, and advice provided by the Institute.

Celebrate Youth Entrepreneurship 2019

Each spring, University School hosts a free, day-long event that brings together nearly 1,000 middle school and high school students from across Northeast Ohio. The program features a nationally recognized young entrepreneur who presents to students in the daytime and to the general public at night. Following the public evening program, student entrepreneurs sell their creations at the Young Entrepreneur Market. 

Featuring Graham Veysey, Innovator, Entrepreneur, Producer

ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET
As Principal at North Water Partners, Hingetown Developer, and Head Wine Guy at MANCAN Wine, Graham Veysey '00 discussed the entrepreneurial mindset and his own exciting and fast-paced entrepreneurial journey.
 
Nine years ago, Graham started North Water Partners, an Emmy Award-winning video production firm, but he didn’t stop there. With a strong interest in his hometown of Cleveland, he saw an opportunity to develop an area north of Ohio City, subsequently named Hingetown. He initially brought in Rising Star and Urban Orchid, and other businesses soon followed, creating a vibrant urban neighborhood. Then in 2015, he and a childhood friend started MANCAN, which offers good, reasonably priced wine in the convenience of a can.

Graham received his bachelor’s degree from Bates College and worked as Director of Marketing and Communications at Nantucket Nectars and Plum TV for four years before becoming an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur Programs

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  • Academic Entrepreneurial Programs

    Read more about the High School MBA - the Anderson Scholars Program, Microeconomics, and the History of Capitalism.
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  • Extracurricular Activities

    University School offers opportunities for students to explore business challenges through the Entrepreneur Cup, Tech Cup, Student Investment Committee, Stock Market Challenge, JA Titan, Business Roundtable, Middle School Entrepreneur Club (EClub), and Lemonade Day Club.
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  • Summer Entrepreneurial Programs

    Read more about the Morgan Apprenticeship Program and New Summer Camps for Middle School Students.
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  • Student-Run Businesses

    Young Entrepreneur Institute students have started a variety of ventures including floral, clothing, electronics, soap and food businesses.
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  • The Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum

    The Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum is a growing network of high schools in Northeast Ohio that equips students with an entrepreneurial mindset and essential skills by providing exceptional education and real-world experiences in entrepreneurship. Founded in 2012 with the assistance of Young Entrepreneur Institute at University School, the Forum today reaches 7,000 students annually at 22 different private and public high schools that are invited to participate. Click here to connect to the Veale Youth Entrepreneur Forum.
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  • Northeast Ohio Youth Entrepreneur Ecosystem

    Northeast Ohio is fortunate to have one of the strongest youth entrepreneurial ecosystems in the country. With strong leadership and funding from Burton D. Morgan Foundation and The Veale Foundation, Young Entrepreneur Institute helps schools, community organizations and the northeast Ohio business community work together to develop and deliver programs that continuously strengthen entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurship experiences for young people. Click here to learn more about the Youth, Collegiate and Adult Entrepreneurship Ecosystems in Northeast Ohio.

Serving the Region

Since its founding in 2006, our programs have touched tens of thousands of students. We have collaborated with more than a thousand educators and schools across Northeast Ohio and beyond to share programs, advice, and curriculum. Click on the logo link below to learn more.

Program Director

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Middle School Student Pitches CYE Event

 

Lemonade Day Entrepreneurs

 

Entrepreneurship News

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Archive

Shaker Heights Campus

20701 Brantley Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122
GRADES Junior K-8
Phone: 216-321-8260

Hunting Valley Campus

2785 SOM Center Road
Hunting Valley, Ohio 44022
GRADES 9-12
Phone: 216-831-2200
University School serves 840 boys in Junior Kindergarten to grade 12 on two campuses in suburban Cleveland, Ohio. The School’s mission is to inspire boys of promise to become young men of character who lead and serve. Dedicated faculty, rigorous curriculum, and experiential programs foster intellectual, physical, creative, and moral excellence. 
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