Youth Venture

December 19, 2007 - 6:39pm — YV_Jen

2008 Merrill Lynch-ICIC Growing Up CEO program

Website: Global Philanthropy Growing Up CEO

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2008 Merrill Lynch-ICIC Growing Up CEO program, a global initiative to recognize the world's leading youth entrepreneurs.

Last year, 30 business owners ages 13-20 were selected from struggling urban areas across the US, UK, Mexico, Namibia and Paraguay to be recognized for their entrepreneurial excellence as Growing Up CEOs. Among the winners were teenage girls teaching performing arts to primary school children, owners of a tailoring business, CEO of a computer center, and CEO of an organic vegetable business. Click here to read their bios in the 2007 program brochure.

This year, we invite you to help bring this life-changing opportunity to young people in your community.

To qualify for the Growing Up CEO program, candidates must:

• Be under the age of 21 as of April 2008
• Have owned and operated a business for at least a year
• Live in an underserved area (or inner city area defined by census track)

Growing Up CEO winners will be flown to Boston, Massachusetts to attend the Inner City Summit from April 30 - May 1, 2008. They will take part in a two-day seminar, along with leading adult entrepreneurs, helping to increase their chances for success in business and in life. Business education workshops at Harvard Business School with celebrated faculty and experts, meetings at the Boston Convention Center with Mayors and dignitaries, and a youth track designed specifically for their peer group are some of the activities planned for Growing Up CEOs.

If you have worked with exceptional young business owners that you would personally like to nominate, please do so. Please note that the deadlines are December 31 for nominations and January 31, 2008 for applications.

For further information, please visit the Global Philanthropy Growing Up CEO website or contact Kelly_Concar@ml.com.