Program Overview
Where Big Ideas Become Real Businesses
YEA BR gives high school students the tools, confidence, and support to transform their ideas into businesses. Through in-person classes at LSU’s Business Education Complex, mentorship from top Baton Rouge business leaders, and hands-on learning, students step into the role of CEO—before they’ve even graduated.
Your Entrepreneurship Playbook
1
GENERATE: Generate business ideas tied to your interests—and choose the one with real market potential.
2
PLAN: Write a business plan with clear goals, budget, timeline, and go-to-market steps.
3
REGISTER: File your business with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office and make it official.
4
PITCH: Present to a Shark Tank–style panel for seed funding and feedback from local leaders.
Build a Business. Earn LSU Credit.
This isn’t a classroom exercise. YEA BR students launch and register real businesses with the Louisiana Secretary of State and enjoy dynamic, in-person classes inside the LSU Business Education Complex—the home of the E. J. Ourso College of Business. Complete the program and qualify for three LSU credits.*
*Credit policies are set by LSU. Learn More
Each year, the program culminates in the Community Pitch, where students stand before local business leaders and entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses. They gain seed funding, sharpen their pitches, and celebrate what they’ve built.
And the results speak for themselves.
Student Success in Action
Class of 2025: Community Pitch Presentations
March 26, 2025
Find all past presentations from previous classes on our YouTube.
Turning Ideas into Impact
YEA BR Alumni Spotlight
Leila Ramos (Class of 2025) launched Hope Resuscitated to provide free Narcan and overdose education across Baton Rouge. The idea might have stayed an idea—until Leila joined YEA BR. Here, she gained the skills, confidence, and support to make a real community impact.