Get involved - join the Young Enterprise family

We couldn’t do what we do without the help of our wider YES whānau. Our sponsors, donors, supporters and volunteers are our biggest enablers, and we can always use your help in changing the lives of thousands of students every year! There are plenty of ways to help out, let us know how you’d like to be involved.

Volunteer

Donate

Sponsor

Not only do our students find great value in the expert advice that our volunteers contribute, but the volunteers themselves also find the experience to be very rewarding. There are a number of ways that you can volunteer with YES

Event Volunteer: 

We have so many events throughout the year that could always do with a few extra hands on deck!

  • YES Kickstart | Timata Days (February - March) 
  • BP Business Challenges (February - November)
  • Entrepreneurs in Action Weekend (June)
  • YES Regional Finals (October)
  • YES National Finals (December)

Entrepreneurs in Action Company Mentor:

EIA is an intensive 3-day experience where 80 of our best YES students come to Wellington to compete in 2 business challenges. As an EIA mentor, you will help the students come together as a team to best utilise their group dynamic. From you, the teams will need guidance through the content of their business case and feedback on their ideas. However, it is important for an EIA mentor to know when to provide direction, and when to stand back from the team's work. 

YES Company Mentor:

A year-long commitment where you will advise, support and guide a YES company. As a mentor, you will engage and challenge the students, and act as a sounding board for their strategies and ideas. 

Industry Expert: 

A shorter time commitment where you are "on call"  to answer any questions and share insights with YES companies on an ad-hoc basis. If your schedule allows, you may like to make some school visits to lead a session in your area of expertise. While this is less time consuming than a year-long mentor, you are still able to be involved in the students' YES journey. 

Judge: 

Being a judge lets you experience the exceptional ideas that Young Enterprise students come up with. Whether it be at a Junior Enterprise Challenge, BP Business Challenge or with The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme, there's plenty of opportunities to get involved.

 

What's required?

Judge at a BP Business Challenge

  • 3 hour commitment
  • One-off commitment according to schedule
  • Opportunities available across the country

Judge at a YES event (Dragons Den, EIA, or National Awards)

  • 2-3 hours commitment 
  • One-off commitment between February - November
  • Opportunities available across the country 
I'd like to volunteer
For everything I put into mentoring a team, I truly get significantly more back. Just being exposed to the vivacity and enthusiasm of young students is incredibly uplifting... And its FUN!
Ken Williamson, Crombie Lockwood

For a small, lean not-for-profit we do a lot for young people across New Zealand, but as a charity we rely on generous sponsors, supporters and donors.

Many people know of our flagship programme, The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme, where senior secondary students form companies and operate a business with real profit and loss.

However, this is just one of the many enterprise and innovation programmes that we run for students to provide authentic and engaging learning experiences to help them leave school better prepared for the real world. Additionally, we offer opportunities for students to develop a global entrepreneurial mindset through international trips and projects.

We love what we do, because we’re equipping today’s students to become tomorrow’s leaders, changemakers and disruptors! But we need your support, and every dollar counts.

If you would like to support our vision by donating please visit our Givealittle page

 

Make a donation

We love our sponsors, and so should you. We have a number of ways in which you can help out and join the supporter whānau ranging from one-off donations through to Platinum Sponsorship.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

  • YES National Award: Naming Rights
  • YES National Award: Consortium option
  • Event-specific e.g. Entrepreneurs in Action & NZ Business Hall of Fame
  • Funding for our Facilitated Experiences: sponsor industry-specific events (e.g. the BP Business Challenge and the Growing NZ Innovation Challenge)
  • Regional Sponsorship
  • Financial Capability training and resources 

 

We're always open to hearing new ideas on how you can help us - just get in touch. We'd love to hear from you! 

Enquire about sponsorship