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Kootenay Youth Build-A-Business Program

Kootenay Youth Build-A-Business Program

Providing high school learners across the Kootenays with training and coaching to develop and operate social enterprises

Are you an educator or mentor passionate about helping youth explore leadership, learn about creating a business, and address real-world problems?

This spring, KAST has recruited Impact Toolbox to deliver the Youth Build-A-Business (BAB) program. This program is designed to empower the next generation of innovators, equipping young people ages 13-18 with the skills and confidence to turn their ideas into impactful businesses. Impact Toolbox guides mentors and students through the process of creating a business with social impact in mind. BAB combines Impact Toolbox’s incredible structure and established curriculum with KAST’s ongoing effort to provide Kootenay Youth access to mentorship in science, technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Call for Mentors! Deadline of December 27th 2024.

Prospective mentors will receive training and support to deliver an established curriculum to their students. Students will apply their new skills in groups of five to build a business addressing a social need in their community. While participation does not require a background in science or technology, the program emphasizes the value of innovation to explore tech-driven or science-inspired ventures that can drive positive change. Please note that a $500 stipend will be provided to support participating mentors’ leadership initiatives.

See our Mentor Booklet here.

Unsure if this program suits you and your students? Please reach out to  tanya@impacttoolbox.org

Mentor Sign Up

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Program Details

The Build-A-Business curriculum consists of 6 comprehensive lessons delivered through an online platform. Each lesson lasts a maximum of 1 hour, which includes easy-to-digest video content and interactive exercise plans. Lesson topics include:

  • Introduction to Entrepreneurship
  • Identifying a Problem and Exploring the Impact You Want to Make
  • Brainstorming and Identifying an Innovative Solution
  • Developing Your Innovative Solution: Visioning and Business Modelling
  • Developing an Action Plan
  • Effectively Pitch & Market Your Solution

 

Select student groups will present their business idea in a virtual event for a chance to win up to $5,000 CAD in cash prizes to further develop their projects. By nurturing entrepreneurial spirit early, KAST aims to build a vibrant, resilient local economy fueled by the ingenuity and vision of the region’s youth.

 

 

FAQs

Students:

  • Must 13-18 years old
  • Must be located in the Kootenays
  • Must demonstrate an interest in social entrepreneurship
  • Must obtain parental consent

Mentors:

  • Teachers
  • Youth program leaders
  • Community educators
  • Other youth mentors who want to help students engage in practical leadership for social change
  • Must work with youth in age ranges above and be available for the duration of the program

January 2024 – March 2025

Three to five students

About Impact Toolbox

Based in British Columbia, Impact Toolbox is a social enterprise incubator that provides youth with equitable opportunities to learn, connect, and access resources and support to transform their ideas and passion for social change into viable community development projects, businesses, and social careers. Impact Toolbox provides comprehensive training, collaboration opportunities and ideas incubation programs to social change leaders. We strive to continuously supply the necessary resources to lead socio-economic change and build successful social enterprises and employment. We support our beneficiaries throughout the journey of creating lasting change! To learn more about our impact, you can read our mission, value and mandate.

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