A business camp for teenage entrepreneurs is being offered virtually in April and May.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative, in conjunction with the Economic Development Department, has put together “an innovative online and Zoom coaching version” of its traditional BizCamp programme.

The blended learning model will feature the award-winning BizCamp programme at no cost to any young Bermudian teenagers interested in learning how to start and run their own business.

More than 1,000 young people have developed and presented business plans, earning certificates for participating in the YEI’s BizCamp, during the past 20 years.

Students use an online version of the syllabus featuring video lecturers and a combination of group Zoom meetings and one-on-one Zoom workshops to develop and present their own comprehensive business plan at the end of the session.

The sign-up begins on Thursday and the programme support sessions will run through the eight-week period to the end of May.

Participants will log in through the Bermuda Entrepreneurship Schools platform to learn at their own pace about opportunity recognition, cost of goods, pricing, industry analysis, target customers, marketing, and other aspects of running a company. The course is delivered in four modules with workshops offered at the conclusion of each to monitor progress and answer question.

Joe Mahoney, executive director of the YEI, said: “The goal is to inspire young people to become business-savvy and understand economic self-sufficiency through self-employment. Participants are provided with a business plan template. After learning the concepts, they complete the plan with information for their own business.”

All participants completing a BizPlan will be awarded certificates and some may be eligible to enter in the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation’s Youth Rocket Pitch Competition during TechWeek in November, where they have a chance to win prizes and venture funding up to $2,500.

Entrepreneurs and financing partners will present real-world practices. One of them is Jamillah Lodge, of the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, who said: “This is an awesome opportunity to see what the future of Bermudian entrepreneurship looks like.”

The BizCamp is free thanks to the support of the Bermuda Economic Development Department and our partners the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, HSBC Community Investment Committee, Chubb Charitable Foundation, and One Communication.

Participants will be admitted on a rolling basis beginning the first week of April with the end of May being the conclusion.

Electronic applications are available at www.yei.bm. Alternatively, send an e-mail to: BizCamp@yei.bm