Young Enterprise Trust

Young Enterprise Trust Inspiring Students, Unleashing Leaders 💥🇳🇿

Today, we are proud to announce the 2026 New Zealand Business Hall of Fame Laureates.Young Enterprise Trust is delighted...
15/04/2026

Today, we are proud to announce the 2026 New Zealand Business Hall of Fame Laureates.

Young Enterprise Trust is delighted to honour an extraordinary group of individuals who have not only built successful businesses, but have reshaped what’s possible in Aotearoa.

We are honoured to celebrate the remarkable achievements of:
• Carmel Fisher
• Dame Rosanne Meo
• David Irving
• Sir Robert McLeod
• Sir Michael Daniell
• Tom Sturgess
• Naomi Ballantyne

Each of our 2026 Laureates represents a powerful story of vision, resilience, and impact shaping New Zealand’s economic and social fabric for generations to come.

They will be officially inducted at our annual black-tie gala dinner on 6 August 2026 at Cordis, Auckland. In a uniquely powerful moment, each Laureate will be introduced by a Young Enterprise student, symbolising the passing of the torch from those who have built our legacy to those who will shape our future.

🌟 Join us for an unforgettable evening of recognition, storytelling, and connection.
🎟️ Tickets and tables are now available: https://www.businesshalloffame.co.nz/

This is more than an event, it’s a rare opportunity to be in the room with the people who have shaped New Zealand’s business story, and those who will write its next chapter.

With thanks to our partners: Auckland Business Chamber, Forsyth Barr, Barfoot & Thompson, Premier Supply Chains, No1 Family Estate, Fistonich Family Vineyard, and Cordis Hotel.

Read more about each of our 2026 Laureates here: https://youngenterprise.org.nz/news-events/the-people-who-built-new-zealand-and-why-their-stories-matter-now-more-than-ever

We love this story from YES Class of 2020 alumnus, Hamish Stayt, whose business, Ecobase, is still thriving on retail ...
01/04/2026

We love this story from YES Class of 2020 alumnus, Hamish Stayt, whose business, Ecobase, is still thriving on retail shelves around the country six years post Young Enterprise 🙌

"My Young Enterprise Scheme journey in 2020 turned out to be a career-defining experience, and one of the best decisions I made at school.

A group of boys from Timaru starting a lip balm brand wasn’t how we imagined our final year of high school. But after taking the leap of faith and navigating the challenges of building a business from scratch, we emerged with Ecobalm — a sustainable lip balm that has since grown from local markets to supermarkets, airports, and gift stores across Aotearoa.

The biggest impact YES had on me was the merging of academic studies and real world experiences. While studying at university, I was negotiating with retailers, managing inventory, and overseeing company finances — bringing everything I was learning in my commerce degree to life.

That foundation ultimately led me into corporate finance. Today, I work in Deloitte’s Transactions team in Auckland, advising businesses through deals and acquisitions. Building a business myself means I approach our work with a practical understanding of what owners face, both in scaling their companies and navigating a sale, giving me a strong head start as I build my career in the industry.

What started as a school project has shaped the path of my career, and it’s why I couldn’t recommend YES more to students willing to take that first step and build something of their own."

Keep an eye out as we share 45 YES Effect stories in celebration of our 45th year. Has YES impacted your journey? We'd love to hear about it: https://youngenterprise.fillout.com/t/1GpyvjGycAus

22/03/2026

We are proud to share that Young Enterprise has been selected as the official charity partner for the inaugural The Duke of Edinburgh Cup New Zealand Qualifier Tournament, to be held at Royal Wellington Golf Club on Friday 8 May 2026.

The Duke of Edinburgh Cup is one of the world’s most respected amateur charity golf tournaments, bringing together players, partners and supporters to raise funds for youth-focused initiatives in host countries. Founded in 2000 by the late HRH Prince Philip, the then Duke of Edinburgh, the tournament has a long-standing global legacy and supports local impact through funds raised at each event.

Winners of the New Zealand qualifier will be invited to attend The Duke of Edinburgh Cup World Finals in England in late September 2026, featuring competitive rounds at renowned courses and a Gala Prize Giving Dinner in Windsor Castle with a senior member of the Royal Family in attendance.

Find out more and register here: doecup.co.nz

13/03/2026

Our Hawke’s Bay Spark Tank brought together over 400 students, 17 schools and 127 mentors 🤯

A huge shout out to our Hawke’s Bay Regional Coordinator Alexis Overend and the team at the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce who pulled off this epic event with the support of TUMU.

Events like this simply wouldn’t happen without the generosity of our incredible mentors. A massive thank you to the 127 volunteers who joined us on Wednesday to listen, challenge and encourage your local YES students.

As we celebrate 45 years of Young Enterprise we’re proud to share The YES Effect, a new series capturing the ripple effe...
02/03/2026

As we celebrate 45 years of Young Enterprise we’re proud to share The YES Effect, a new series capturing the ripple effect of YES across Aotearoa.

From students who stepped into business for the first time (recently or not so recently 😅), to the educators, sponsors and supporters who helped shape their journey, we’re sharing the incredible stories that make YES what it is.

Our very first YES Effect story takes us back to 1990.

Tracey Holmes first experienced YES as a student at Taieri High School, now Taieri College, where her team went on to win the National Competition, earning an unforgettable prize trip to Singapore. Pictured here is Tracey and her winning team flying with Singapore Airlines, cooking alongside chefs at the Pan Pacific Hotel, visiting the Apple factory, and exploring the city, an experience she says left a lasting mark.

Decades later, that impact has come full circle. Tracey recently gave back to YES through her workplace Christmas charity donation, after years of staying connected as a judge, report marker and supporter.

This is the YES Effect.
Keep an eye out as we share 44 more stories throughout our 45th year.

Has YES impacted or influenced your journey? We’d love to hear about it: https://youngenterprise.fillout.com/t/1GpyvjGycAus

12/01/2026

Keen to do some volunteering in 2026?👇

We’re looking for individuals and organisations across Aotearoa to get involved in our first Young Enterprise Scheme event of the year! Join us for Speed Coaching in March – a fun, fast-paced event where you’ll listen to local young entrepreneurs pitch their ideas and help shape their business concepts.

It’s a 2-hour commitment, where you’ll rotate every 5 minutes between teams, listening to their elevator pitches, and offering feedback, questions, and support to help refine their early-stage business ideas.

No experience needed – just bring your energy, enthusiasm, and passion for supporting young people in business! 🙌

Interested? Express interest here: https://tinyurl.com/s2sazxnz

The countdown is on for YES Nationals 2025! Make sure to grab your ticket (or donate a ticket/table!) here: https://lnkd...
17/11/2025

The countdown is on for YES Nationals 2025! Make sure to grab your ticket (or donate a ticket/table!) here: https://lnkd.in/eHkK5r3X

We would love your help to celebrate Aotearoa's top young entrepreneurs at our 2025 YES Nationals! All friends, family, alumni, sponsors and supporters of YES are invited for an evening that will leave you impressed, inspired, and well-fed 🤩 🎉

Check out the YES teams who will be pitching in Wellington in competition to be crowned The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme Company of the Year here: https://youngenterprise.org.nz/news-events/young-entrepreneurs-in-the-running-for-yes-company-of-the-year

Over the month of March, we are aiming to raise $50,000 in our annual Donation Appeal. We need your help!For every $1 yo...
06/03/2025

Over the month of March, we are aiming to raise $50,000 in our annual Donation Appeal. We need your help!

For every $1 you donate to Young Enterprise, we create $5.80 worth of social value —improving mental well-being, boosting academic achievement, and building life skills.

As a charity, we can't do what we do without the support of our sponsors, donors and community. By supporting our 2025 Donation Appeal, you are helping us to deliver entrepreneurial education programmes, opportunities and resources to over 10,000 young people across Aotearoa.

Every dollar counts! Head to our Givealittle to support YES: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/young-enterprise-2025-donation-appeal

06/10/2024

Donate to Young Enterprise, without spending a cent!
We’re grateful to be on One Good Kiwi again this month, and we need your help to get a share of $100K! 💚💲

Head to One Good Kiwi here: https://onegoodkiwi.one.nz/
Scroll down, find Alex's face and click the green token five times to donate to YES! Every token we receive helps us to get a greater share of the 100k!

For an additional 10 tokens/votes, download the One Good Kiwi app, register, find our video and then swipe up to give us your tokens this month!

Thanks again to One New Zealand for the opportunity to be a part of this incredible initiative!

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