Hitachi recently launched the Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs awards program!    They are searching for  young entrepreneurs who, through their innovative products or practices, help move people out of poverty and into the mainstream of American society.

Candidates for the Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs prize will be 18 to 29-year olds, operating viable businesses that create jobs, supply goods or services, and/or develop internal management practices that offer low-wealth individuals in America a leg up. Successful applicants will receive a cash prize of up to $50,000 over two years and technical resources to strengthen their business.

It’s a great opportunity for a young entrepreneur – up to six will be honored.  It’s also an opportunity for us to learn what it takes to run a financially sustainable business that gives a boost to people who feel stuck in place.  Ultimately we hope that their stories will help to fill a gap in the field of social innovation by bringing to life bold and innovative business models that address poverty in America.   

You will find a short video discussing the program and all the information about how to apply at http://www.hitachifoundation.org/yoshiyama. The first round application deadline is March 22.

A few highlights of the program include:

§  The entrepreneur must have established his or her business with the expressed dual purpose of operating a successful business and accelerating upward economic mobility for low-wealth individuals in America;

§  He or she must be at least 18 years old, and must have been 29 years old or younger when the business began generating revenue;

§  The business must be 1-5 years old and have been generating revenue for at least the past 12 months;

§  The award is open to businesses organized as “for profit” or “nonprofit,” but must depend primarily on an earned-income revenue model.