NYLF Business Innovation

Students will discover a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation at the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Business Innovation by competing in an exciting, multi-day start-up simulation that takes them from ideation to product launch.

Spending eight days on the campus of a top-ranking national institution—Yale University or the University of California, Berkeley—provides students with a taste of life on campus and the opportunity to meet other students from across the country who share their passion for business.

Develop business skills

At NYLF Business Innovation, develop lifelong skills through hands-on experiences, including:
  • Exploring business best practices through simulation exercises, a competitive start-up style simulation, and an investor pitch presentation
  • Learning firsthand from accomplished professionals, including well-established entrepreneurs
  • Exploring the host city on a field excursion and experience local crowdsourcing
  • Preparing for college life, practice vital skills, and set a career trajectory to help in the competitive business landscape

By attending NYLF Business Innovation, students can earn college credit through our partnership with George Mason University.

2024 Locations, Dates & Tuition

Berkeley, CA

University of California, Berkeley

  • June 16-23
  • June 25-July 2
  • $4,195 – $4,245

New Haven, CT

Yale University

  • June 25-July 2
  • July 6-13
  • July 15-22
  • $4,195 – $4,245

What’s Included

On-site meals

University Accommodations

9:1 Overall Student-to-Staff Ratio

A Certificate of Completion

Program Highlights

Startup-Style Simulations

Develop the next great idea during a collaborative simulation that allows students to apply the skills they learn to take their business from ideation to launch, and then compete against their peers.

Field Professionals

Professionals in the field of business will supply insights from their own learnings and guide students through the key elements of launching a business.

Life On Campus

Experience life at a top university campus to gain a greater understanding of how to align university studies with passions.

College Readiness

Experience college culture and gain valuable college and career success skills while residing on the campus of Yale University or the University of California, Berkeley and spending time with other students from around the country.

The Experience, Day by Day

Day 1

Program Welcome and Orientation

  • Welcome to NYLF Business Innovation
  • Seminar: Defining Business Innovation in the 21st Century
  • Success Workshop: Goal Setting 101

Day 2

Ideation and Product Development

  • 8 Days to Start-up Simulation Part I: Product Ideation, Research, and Development
  • Business Group Meeting: The Entrepreneurial Mindset
  • Activity: Constructing a Business Model
  • Social Event

Day 3

Innovation and Feedback

  • Start-up Simulation Part II: Product Creation and Marketing Research
  • Business Group Meeting: Crowdsourcing to Capture Market Feedback
  • Guest Speaker: Defining Your Target Market
  • Social Event

Day 4

Designing the Future

  • Start-up Simulation Part III: Testing Key Features and Price
  • Field Excursion: Explore the Host City
  • Guest Speaker: Securing Funding for a Startup
  • Social Event

Day 5

Understanding Business Capital

  • Start-up Simulation Part IV: Product Finance and Securing Capital Investment
  • Understanding Personality Styles
  • MyActionPath: Career Assessment
  • Social Event

Day 6

Business in Action

  • University Campus Tour
  • Entrepreneurship in Action – Local Incubator Visit
  • Personal Branding
  • Social Event

Day 7

Jumpstarting your Business

  • Start-up Simulation Part V: Pitch Presentation
  • Business Group Meeting: Building a Pathway to Success
  • Simulation Part VI: Final Pitch Rounds
  • Social Event

Day 8

Looking Forward

  • Start-up Simulation Final: Lessons Learned
  • Program Wrap-Up and Debrief: Becoming the Innovators of Today
  • Conference Departure

This sample schedule is provided as an example of the overall quality and scope of the experience offered and is not intended to represent a specific schedule for 2024. The specific 2024 schedule, locations, speakers, and site visits may be modified.

Locations

What some of our alumni are saying…

The most valuable thing I learned during the conference was how to present myself in any given situation, whether it is with an individual, a small group, or a crowd of people.”

I loved making new friends, and I love the fact that I came into this program with no business-related skills or any knowledge. I left with the confident choice of making this a career.”

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