Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs

Posted by on March 01, 2010

The Hitachi Foundation is searching the country for Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs. They are 18 to 29-year olds, and they are operating viable businesses that create jobs, supply goods or services, or use internal management practices that offer low-wealth individuals in America a leg up.

Prize Benefits

*         Capital Support – Selected entrepreneurs will receive up to $50,000 over two years. Each entrepreneur will work with a mentor/advisor to assess the business’ needs and construct a plan for using the funds. Prize funds are awarded to the entrepreneur(s) and are considered taxable income.

*         Mentoring and Technical Assistance – The Yoshiyama Program will provide access to opportunities that meet the needs of each entrepreneur. For additional examples of technical assistance please see Program FAQs (http://www.hitachifoundation.org/yoshiyama/program_faqs/index.html).

*         Event – Prize recipients will be invited to participate in a formal event that honors and recognizes this group’s accomplishments. The event will combine an opportunity for recipients to learn from their peers and an occasion for more public recognition.

Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the following 5 requirements to be eligible for the Yoshiyama Program:

*         Applicants must be at least 18 years old;

*         Applicants must have been 29 years old or younger when their business began generating revenue;

*         The business must be 1-5 years old and have been generating revenue for a minimum of the past 12 months;

*         The applicant established his/her business with the expressed dual purpose of operating a successful business and creating opportunities for low-wealth individuals in America to enhance their economic security;

*         The business may be structured as a for-profit or non-profit. If the business is a non-profit, it must depend primarily on an earned-income revenue model and not depend solely on donations and grants.

To learn more, get application materials, or view a short video featuring Foundation President & CEO Barbara Dyer discussing the program, visit http://www.hitachifoundation.org/yoshiyama. Email the Yoshiyama Program at yoshiprogram@hitachifoundation.org with any questions.

The first round application deadline is March 22, 2010.

The Hitachi Foundation was established as an independent nonprofit philanthropic organization by Hitachi, Ltd. in 1985.  Governed by a Board of Directors composed of highly accomplished Americans, the Foundation seeks to discover and expand business practices that create tangible and enduring economic opportunities for low-wealth Americans, their families, and the communities in which they reside.