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.

SERVING THE REGION
Since its founding in 2006, our programs have touched tens of thousands of students. With the generous support of University School, community foundations and organizations, the Young Entrepreneur Institute expanded beyond University School 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. Learn more.   

Celebrate Youth Entrepreneurship

Join us for our 13th annual Celebrate Youth Entrepreneurship event. This year’s keynote speaker, Jahkil Jackson, will be discussing his entrepreneurial journey and providing students with a framework on how they can be social entrepreneurs in their own communities.

 Wednesday, April 13
All sessions can be attended virtually, but you MUST register.
Session 1: 9:40 am-10:40 am *
Session 2: 11:45am- 12:30pm
*Please note, in-person attendance is full for session 1

REGISTER

Click here for our video archive of featured speakers' keynote addresses. 

Honoring Greg Malkin

This year is especially significant as we will gather to celebrate Greg Malkin’s retirement from University School and Young Entrepreneur Institute (YEI). The event will feature remarks by Greg’s former student Kevin Tan, US class of 2012 and founder of Snackpass, as well as a young entrepreneur market and socializing.

Wednesday, April 13
7:00-8:30 pm
University School Hunting Valley Campus

REGISTER

Jahkil Jackson

Jahkil Naeem Jackson is a best-selling author, social entrepreneur, student athlete, influencer, and founder of Project I Am, a nonprofit organization he created when he was eight years old. Now 14, Jahkil has a heartfelt desire to help those in need. Jahkil’s mission is to build awareness of homelessness and to help the homeless population by offering “Blessing Bags,” a giveaway filled with masks, wipes, socks, deodorant, hand sanitizer, and more. In just a few years, Jahkil’s efforts have empowered hundreds of young people to become change agents and has led Project I Am’s efforts in raising $275,000 for the homeless.  Additionally, Jahkil’s efforts have touched nearly 70,000 men, women, and children across the world.

Summer 2016, he was named a Youth Ambassador for Heartland Alliance, one of the world’s leading anti-poverty organizations.  Winter 2017, Jahkil became a member of the WE International Youth Council. WE is a movement that exists to make the world a better place. WE Day is also a celebration of youth making a difference in their local and global communities. Jahkil was a guest speaker for 2017 and 2018. Fall 2018, Jahkil became the youngest member of the Independent Youth group which empowers today’s youth to become tomorrow’s business leaders and entrepreneurial innovators. Jahkil was named Vice Chairman of the 2019 KidBox Youth Board of Directors and named one of BET’s 15 under 15.

Most notably, Jahkil was acknowledged as one of three influential people of 2017 by President Barack Obama and the Obama Foundation. Jahkil was also tapped to participate in Disney’s Be Inspired Black History campaign, GAP’s Next Generation campaign, Lebron James’ #AlwaysBelieve campaign, Nike’s Until We All Win & You Can’t Stop Our Voice campaigns and is now a Marvel Super Hero and CNN Hero Young Wonder!

Greg Malkin

Greg served University School as an esteemed faculty member for 16 years from 2005 through 2021. He provided visionary leadership by initiating programs and traditions that will remain long beyond his tenure. It is programs like the Anderson Scholars in Entrepreneurship, the Student Investment Committee, the Entrepreneur Cup, the Pitch Cup, and the Middle School Entrepreneurship Club that have given US students the chance to learn about business and experience their first taste of entrepreneurship.
 
Greg also had the vision to expand his passion for youth entrepreneurship education beyond the walls of University School. In collaboration with sponsors and partners, YEI has been fortunate to work with hundreds of teachers and help thousands of students in Northeast Ohio and beyond to understand and experience entrepreneurship education. Under Greg’s leadership, we developed the philosophy that every child deserves the chance to learn about and experience entrepreneurship.

Program Director

List of 1 members.

  • Photo of Ilene Frankel

    Mrs. Ilene Frankel 

    216-831-2200 x7488

Entrepreneur Programs

List of 6 items.

  • Academic Entrepreneurial Programs

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

  • 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.
    Read More

  • Summer Entrepreneurial Programs

    Read more about the Morgan Apprenticeship Program and New Summer Camps for Middle School Students.
    Read More

  • Student-Run Businesses

    Young Entrepreneur Institute students have started a variety of ventures including floral, clothing, electronics, soap and food businesses.
    Read More

  • 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.
    Read More

  • 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.

Middle School Student Pitches CYE Event

 

Lemonade Day Entrepreneurs

 

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 870 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. University School is a diverse and inclusive community where each boy is known and loved. 
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