The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce will accept applications through Sept. 30 for the next class at the Young Entrepreneur Academy in Grand Junction.

The 30-week program guides middle and high school students through the process of coming up with ideas for new products and services, developing business plans, pitching their ventures to investors for startup funding and launching companies and social movements.

In the process, students build relationships with mentors and learn about networking, organization and professionalism.

“Encouraging entrepreneurship with our youth is a key element of work force development,” said Candace Carnahan, vice president of the chamber. “The skills established during the Young Entrepreneur Academy will positively impact these students for the rest of their lives while also creating a number of new businesses that contribute to the strength of our local business community.” 

The academy is open to students in sixth through 12th grades. Classes are scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays from October through April at Western Colorado Community College.

For additional information about the academy, contact Kirstin Maska at (970) 263-2916 or kirstin@gjchamber.org or log on to https://gjchamber.org/young-entrepreneurs-academy-yea.