TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
"Youth entrepreneurship is more important now than at any time in our history. It is the youth in this country who are leading us to see the world differently. It will be their imagination and thirst for innovation that will uplift us to a new, acceptable society that welcomes diversity, creativity, and openness."
~ Michelle D. Jackson, Founder & Executive Director, i.Invest National Youth Business Competition & LifeSkills Foundation
Dear Friends & Colleagues,
Five years ago, I started the i.Invest National Youth Business Competition, a web-based entrepreneurial mentoring program and business competition for youth 13 - 19 years-old, with a few goals in mind - to educate youth about business development, to help nurture the next generation of business leaders, and to connect young entrepreneurs with experienced professionals and mentors.
Today, despite the recent economic downturn and civil unrest across the country, my goals for i.Invest have grown and my commitment to young leaders has never been more important to me. It is because of this commitment that I am reaching out to you to ask for your financial support as we navigate these uncertain times and prepare for the future.
Since i.Invest’s inception, over 60 start-up teams from the U.S. and Canada have received business coaching, professional mentoring, and group and one-on-one training from business professionals from major corporations and universities including Google, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and Johns Hopkins University. In addition, more than 15 teams have earned cash and in-kind prizes and used these funds to launch successful ventures. Several teams have gone on to raise over $250,000 in pre-seed funding, hire staff, and earn accolades from the top business schools in the country.
As a program director, I am excited to see our young leaders achieve their goals. But as a wife, mother, entrepreneur, and community supporter, I am overwhelmed by the creativity, focus, and fortitude of young people across this country. This year alone, we have 14 teams representing 10 states competing for a share of $10,000 in prizes. These teams are developing world changing products and services ranging from mobile applications to wearable technologies.
Because of the financial support of private individuals and small business donors, who on average give less than $35 each year, we have helped young leaders make their dreams come true.
But now we need your help to continue to make i.Invest possible.
To sustain the mentoring and training provided by the i.Invest Competition, I am humbly asking for your financial support. I am eager to ensure that the program continues to move forward. But to make this a reality, we need to secure annual funding to help train youth entrepreneurs from across the country and to provide them with the financial assistance they need to bring their products and services to the marketplace.
We invite you to give to the i.Invest Competition in one or both of the ways listed below:
- Make a tax-exempt donation to LifeSkills Foundation, our 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm dedicated to youth and youth entrepreneurs. To make a donation visit HERE.
- Become a sponsor of the i.Invest Competition. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities visit HERE.
Again, we strongly encourage your participation. Your support will play a major role in helping us create a world where young entrepreneurs can thrive.
If you have any questions please contact me at mjackson@i-investcompetition.com.
Sincerely,
Michelle D. Jackson
Founder & Executive Director, i.Invest Competitions
Harvey, LA, USA
5045097094