Are you or do you know the next Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneur?

I missed the March 22 deadline for the 2010 class, but hold onto this info for next year ...

Did you establish a financially viable business with the intention of offering low-wealth individuals in America a leg up? Have you been in business for 1-5 years? Were you between the ages of 18 and 29 when you launched your business? If so, you may be eligible for the Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs Program. Check out the criteria.

The Yoshiyama Program will identify up to six entrepreneurs ages 18-29 who formed financially viable businesses that create jobs, supply goods or services, or use internal management practices enabling low-wealth individuals the opportunity to achieve greater economic security.

The Foundation will provide these entrepreneurs with a cash prize up to $50,000 over two years, access to technical resources, and a peer learning community.

In exchange, the Foundation intends to capture the stories of these inspiring young business leaders who serve as examples of how to run a financially sustainable business that also gives a boost to people who are outside the economic mainstream.

The goal here is to support the development of these leaders and entrepreneurs, learn from them, and share their stories.