Wichita-based Youth Entrepreneurs is getting a new home -- in the Experiential Engineering Building on the Innovation Campus at Wichita State University.

Youth Entrepreneurs, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on providing high school students in need with business and entrepreneurial education and experiences, will occupy 4,000 square feet next to the new community makerspace, GoCreate.

“This opportunity offers our students access to tools and resources that can really take their ideas to the next level,” said Liz Koch, chairwoman of the YE board of directors. “Given these additional resources, I know these students will make their ideas come to life at GoCreate and continue to do great things with their future.”

Youth Entrepreneurs participants will be eligible to apply for GoCreate scholarships funded by the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation. In addition to convenient access to GoCreate, as well as mentoring and training from GoCreate staff, students will be in close proximity to a variety of other university resources, including the Center for Entrepreneurship and WSU Ventures, the university’s technology transfer program.

“Wichita State is committed to fostering an environment for creativity and entrepreneurship through all stages of life,” said John Tomblin, WSU vice president of research and technology transfer. “Working with Youth Entrepreneurs will help us encourage and inspire young adults with knowledge and skills that will stay with them through adulthood.”

Youth Entrepreneurs, which is currently based at Koch Industries in Wichita, will move its central region staff on campus. The staff devoted to the Youth Entrepreneurs Foundation will remain at Koch Industries. The program, which was founded in 1991 by the Charles Koch Foundation, was located in Wichita State’s Devlin Hall until 2007.

Youth Entrepreneurs serves 58 high schools in its central region of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. An additional 37 schools partner with Youth Entrepreneurs in Georgia; Phoenix, Arizona; Louisville, Kentucky; and Detroit, Michigan.

“We are committed to inspiring our students and alumni to apply what they’ve learned, continue to innovate and seek additional knowledge,” said Phoebe Bachura, central region executive director for Youth Entrepreneurs. “This new space will welcome Youth Entrepreneurs students and alumni and allow them to utilize collaborative working space and guidance within our offices while also being in close proximity to GoCreate and all the other innovators in the building.”

About Youth Entrepreneurs

Founded in 1991, Youth Entrepreneurs is a program that helps high school students in need discover fulfillment through the creation of their own business idea. The program provides students a hands-on learning experience inside and outside of the classroom and teaches the skills necessary to start their own business, improves their marketability in the workforce, and encourages them to continue into higher education. Youth Entrepreneurs serves 3,000 students annually and has nearly 18,000 alumni. For more information, visit http://www.youthentrepreneurs.org.