Grand Junction Young Entrepreneur Academy

10/30/2026

You don't need a business plan to get started. You just need curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn! 🙌

YEA! is designed for students who want to think bigger, build confidence, and explore what entrepreneurship looks like in the real world. Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and connections with local business leaders, students gain experiences that can shape their future!

⏳ Applications are open through November 20th.

Apply today: gjchamber.org/yea

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, the City of Grand Junction, for investing in Grand Valley’s future entrepreneurs!

10/19/2026

Some students wait for opportunities. Others create them.

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) gives middle and high school students the chance to gain real-world business experience while building something of their own. Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and start-up funding, participants develop the skills, confidence, and connections to bring an idea to life!

If you know a student who's driven, creative, and ready to think bigger, now is the time to apply.

📅 Applications close November 20th
🔗 Learn more and apply: gjchamber.org/yea

Thank you to all of our sponsors and partners for investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs!

Presenting Sponsor: City of Grand Junction
Premier Sponsors: Rocky Mountain West Insurance, Home Loan Insurance
Scholarship Sponsors: Alpine Bank, Canvas Credit Union, FirstLight Home Care of the Western Slope, The UPS Store 1349, Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Investor Sponsors: VanWinkle Ranch, Care at Home, of Colorado, Entrada Consulting Group, Mesa County Business Education Foundation, Kayenta Properties LLC
Transportation Sponsor: Prestige Limousine Service Ltd.
Supporting Partners: Mesa County Valley School District 51, CMU Tech, Mesa Mall, Courtyard by Marriott

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy is proudly offered through the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.

Video Credit: KKCO 11 News

10/16/2026

🚀 From big ideas to real businesses. Who’s next?

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) gives middle and high school students the opportunity to turn their ideas into real businesses. Through hands-on learning, mentorship from local business leaders, and investor pitches, students gain the skills and confidence to bring their ideas to life.

From developing a business plan to launching a venture, participants experience what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Students who complete the program have the chance to represent Mesa County at the YEA! National Competition.

⏰ Applications close November 20th

Learn more and apply today: gjchamber.org/yea

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, the City of Grand Junction.

09/28/2026

🚀 14 years of turning big ideas into real opportunities. Who’s next?

Applications are still open for YEA!, where Grand Valley middle and high school students can take their entrepreneurial ideas beyond the classroom and bring them to life.

Ready to turn your idea into something real? Your next step starts here!

👉 Apply today: gjchamber.org/yea

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, the City of Grand Junction, for investing in Grand Valley’s future entrepreneurs!

09/16/2026

🚀 Have a big idea? Turn it into a real business!

Applications are now open for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)!

For 14 years, YEA! has helped middle and high school students across the Grand Valley transform innovative ideas into real companies through hands-on learning, mentorship from local business leaders, and real-world entrepreneurial experiences.

Students will:
✅ Create a business plan
✅ Work with mentors and industry professionals
✅ Pitch to a panel of investors
✅ Launch their own business
✅ Earn high school credit through Mesa County Valley School District 51

Know a student with an entrepreneurial mindset? Encourage them to apply today!

📍 Learn more and apply: gjchamber.org/yea

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, the City of Grand Junction, for investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs!

07/21/2026

Alumni Spotlight: Lainey S. 👑

We are excited to celebrate YEA! alum Lainey S. on earning the honor of Mesa County Fair Royalty!

From developing leadership and entrepreneurship skills through YEA! to representing one of Mesa County's most treasured traditions, Lainey continues to make our community proud.

Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement—we are excited to follow your journey throughout the year!

The Grand Junction Young Entrepreneurs Academy is a program of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce

👑 FAIR ROYALTY SPOTLIGHT 👑
Hi! My name is Lainey Scott, I am a Mesa County Fair Princess , and I have shown in the Mesa County Fair for the past 5 years. I love the experience of showing my animals and seeing all my hard work come together, and because of the people I get to meet along the way. I have met some of my best friends through 4-H, and I love seeing their animals. I have shown lambs and beef, and I have had so much fun doing so.
Being part of the Mesa County Fair Royalty and sharing my experiences within our community has been an honor. There are so many people that make this group thrive, and I could not be where I am today without their help. Thank you to all who make this possible. If anyone wants to ask me more about Fair Royalty or about the Mesa County Fair, you can reach out to me during any of the events this week. I look forward to seeing everyone at the fair!

06/24/2026

👏 Earlier this month, local YEA! student entrepreneur Roan Baldwin represented the Grand Valley as a national semifinalist at the Young Entrepreneurs Academy National Competition in Frisco, Texas.

From presenting his business, Munch Mode Machines, on the national stage to connecting with fellow young entrepreneurs from across the country, the experience was a well-earned recognition of Roan's hard work, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Join us in congratulating Roan on this incredible accomplishment! 🎉 We're proud of all you've accomplished and can't wait to see what's next for Munch Mode Machines.

The Grand Junction Young Entrepreneurs Academy is a program of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce

06/12/2026

Tune in this morning to watch our very own local middle school student entrepreneur, Roan Baldwin, as he competes in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy National Competition!

Join us in cheering him on as he competes alongside some of the nation's top young entrepreneurs.

Semi-Finals begin at 7:30 AM MT.

Watch Live: https://www.youtube.com/live/W0sPhWm0p-I

A program of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce

06/09/2026

This Friday, June 12th, local student entrepreneur Roan Baldwin will represent the Colorado at the Young Entrepreneurs Academy National Competition.

You don't have to be in Texas to cheer him on. The Semi-Finals will be streamed live beginning at 7:30 AM Mountain Time.

Watch Live:
https://www.youtube.com/live/W0sPhWm0p-I

Join us as Roan competes alongside some of the nation's top young entrepreneurs and represents Mesa County, the Grand Valley, and Colorado on the national stage!

Should Roan advance to the Final competition, community members will be able to support him by casting a vote for People's Choice Award! Updates and voting instructions will be shared through our social media channels.

A program of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce

06/04/2026

Congratulations to Roan, this year's Saunders Scholar and national qualifier from the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce's Young Entrepreneurs Academy.

Next week, Roan will represent Colorado at the Young Entrepreneurs Academy National Competition in Frisco, Texas, competing alongside some of the nation's top young entrepreneurs.

Over the past 6 months, Roan has developed Munch Mode Machines, an innovative business concept focused on modern, AI-powered vending solutions. His hard work, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit earned him the opportunity to advance to the national stage.

Join us over the next week as we cheer on Roan and follow along with his journey at Nationals!

The livestream will be available at: https://www.youtube.com/live/W0sPhWm0p-I



The 2026 Grand Junction Young Entrepreneurs Academy is presented by the City of Grand Junction