2020 Youth Business Summit
April 21 - 23, 2020 | Brooklyn Cruise Terminal | Sponsored by HSBC
The recent impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout the world and particularly the impact felt in New York City has prompted great concern over the past several weeks. Given the current situation here in New York, including the Governor’s decision to declare a State of Emergency throughout the state of New York, VEI has made the difficult decision to cancel the upcoming Youth Business Summit scheduled for April 21-23, 2020.
We are committing ourselves to do all that we can to provide an alternative experience to highlight and showcase our students’ work.
Further details on the reimagined experience for students, schools, and partners is available here.
Overview
The Youth Business Summit brings together thousands of rising young professionals, budding entrepreneurs, educators, school/district administrators, business leaders and industry professionals from around the world for a one-of-a-kind global convention.
During a dynamic week of business competitions, leadership events, and professional networking, rising talent from middle and high schools around the world display the professional skills and business acumen they have developed by running a Virtual Enterprise company during the school year.
More than 200 exhibitors representing 13 states and nine countries, including real-world businesses joining VE businesses, will be exhibiting across the three days of the Youth Business Summit.
4,500+
160+
18+
300+
7+
6+
For Schools
Registration will open on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 10:00 AM ET. To register, please follow the instructions below.
-
- 1. Sign into the hub by going to hub.veinternational.org
- 2. Click on “Marketplace Tools”
- 3. Click on “Firm Admin”
- 4. Choose the Firm you want to register with
- 5. Click on “Trade Show Registration”
- 6. Once registration is completed, you will receive a confirmation and an invoice
For international firms, please register using this link: https://portal.veinternational.org/tradefair/41/registration/
For schools that wish to bring their class as guests to the International Trade Exhibition and/or entry to all YBS competitions, can purchase one of the Class Pass options by clicking on the following link and filling out the registration form. Class Pass Registration Click Here
Competition Details
The 2020 Youth Business Summit features ten competitive opportunities for VE students. Competitions include the National Business Plan Competition, National Finance Competition, National Human Resources Competition, National Marketing Competition, National QuickBooks Competition, Global Business Challenge, Best Booth Competition, Sales Materials Competition, Sales Pitch Competition, and People’s Choice.
Competition Results
Competition Results will be available after the 2020 Youth Business Summit on the Competition Results page.
Exhibitor Guidelines
2020 YBS Event and Registration Overview
Important Note: Exhibitors must review the Event and Registration Overview and learn the International Trade Exhibition Guidelines.
NO FOOD OR BEVERAGE MAKING APPLIANCES ARE ALLOWED IN THE BOOTHS: NO POPCORN MACHINES, NO PROPANE-BASED EQUIPMENT, NO MICROWAVES, NO COOKING EQUIPMENT OF ANY KIND. Any food or beverage samples that a firm plans to offer at their booth must be commercially prepackaged. No cooking is allowed in the booths.
HELIUM BALLOONS are also not allowed in the booths.
Failure to comply with these guidelines will result in your team being asked to remove prohibited items and potentially lead to disqualification from competitions.
Booths
Booth registration for the 2020 YBS will open on Thursday, October 10, 2020.
2020 YBS Booth Overview (for Schools)
Booth Payments
- Purchase Orders must be received by Friday, March 6, 2020
- If payment is not received by Friday, April 3, 2020, it will result in a $200 late fee (booth reservation may be cancelled depending on the situation).
- Cancellations of booths must be received by Friday, April 3, 2020. If cancellation notice is received after April 3, 2020, there will be a $400 cancellation charge.
Exhibitor List
The 2020 Exhibitor List will be available in March.
Booth Map with Booth Numbers
The 2020 YBS Booth Map with Numbers will be available in March.
Promo Items
We now have an online merch store available so you can order items such as pens and notebooks to help promote your firm during the International Trade Exhibition. Using the link below, you can purchase items and customize them with your firm’s branding.
Shop for Promo Items for Your Firm – Click here
Trade Exhibition Point of Sale System
Trade Exhibition Point of Sale System is provided by VEI to firms with a trade show booth to easily process trade exhibition sales payments. This system can be used on a smart phone, iPad/tablet, or laptop with a WiFi or cellular data connection.
Access Your Trade Exhibition Point of Sale Dashboard – Click here
Personal Bank Debit Cards for Students
Students now have the ability to pay with their personal bank account at US trade shows. This system can be used to pay throughout the entire exhibition period.
How to Obtain Your Student Debit Card – Click here
US Network Bank Card
Cards are available for guests and visitors and can be obtained at the registration desk.
Instructions for using the US Network Bank Card can be found by clicking here
Visitor Resources
Please review the Visitor Resources section to book hotel rooms, find tourist discounts to iconic Brooklyn entertainment including entertainment, restaurants, landmarks, and other attractions, and explore travel information.
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 – National Business Plan Competition
Breakfast and lunch will be provided for the National Business Plan Competition participants.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 – National Competitions (HR, Marketing, Finance, and Quickbooks)
Breakfast and lunch will NOT be provided for National Competition participants. There will be different types of food available for purchase from food vendors and food trucks throughout the day.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 – Global Business Challenge Sponsored by Intuit
Breakfast and lunch will be provided for Global Business Challenge participants.
Thursday, April 23, 2020 – International Trade Exhibition
If you would like to pre-order boxed lunches for your students for the International Trade Exhibition, please submit the form linked below. The price of each lunch box is $12 and includes a sandwich, chips, cookie, and bottled water.
Boxed Lunch Registration – Click here to register
Alternatively, schools will be able to order food on the day of the International Trade Exhibition from vendors selling burgers, pizzas, and sandwiches.
Photos and Videos
Photographers and videographers will be covering the 2020 Youth Business Summit. Please ensure your school has Photograph and Video Consent Forms filled out and on file.
Link to forms coming soon
Digital Event Booklet
The 2020 YBS/Gala Event Booklet will be available for viewing and downloading prior to the events. Physical booklets will be distributed at all events.
View the 2019 Media Center for photos, videos, and competition results from last year’s Youth Business Summit – Link coming soon
Partners & Sponsors
VE thanks and recognizes the following partners and sponsors and supporters who support our mission to prepare students for fulfilling, financially-secure futures. Through their generous support, we are able to provide all Youth Business Summit participants with a life-changing experience.
Why Become a Partner?
Showcase Your Brand
- 5,000 students
- 6 countries
- 1,000 daily website visitors
- 6,500 social media followers
- 32,000 email subscribers
Meet the Future of Work
VE leads the way the world empowers students through career-based education. The 5,000 students at the YBS are future superstars for your organization.
Employee Engagement Opportunities
Engage your employees in 5-10 hours of meaningful, skills-based volunteering, through competition judging and professional workshops for students.
Provide a Life-Changing Experience
The culminating event of the VE school year, the Youth Business Summit opens up a world of possibility for students with opportunities to connect to government officials, business professionals, and global peers, and to put their entrepreneurial learning into practice.
Registration
If you are interested in being a partner or a sponsor for the Youth Business Summit, please contact Abril Peña via e-mail at apena@veinternational.org or by phone at (212) 769-2710 ext. 2456.
Title Sponsor
HSBC is the title partner for the 2020 Youth Business Summit. HSBC and VE have been working together since 1999 to prepare students for meaningful careers through program expansion, job readiness training support, direct funding to schools, support for the Youth Business Summit, and engaging HSBC employees as competition judges and classroom mentors.
HSBC is one of the largest banking and financial services organizations in the world, with operations in 66 countries and territories. They aim to be where the growth is, enabling businesses to thrive and economies to prosper, and, ultimately, helping people to fulfill their hopes and realize their ambitions.
Judges & Volunteers
Help make this experience an unforgettable one for our students (and for yourself!) by volunteering as a judge for any of our 9 competitions. Want to volunteer with your coworkers? Contact Abril Peña for more information about volunteering as a company or team. All volunteer and judging details will be provided after signing up below.
Abril Peña
apena@veinternational.org
Schedule & Events
National Business Plan Competition
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Event Details
The National Business Plan Competition (NBPC) will take place on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 from 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM at the United Federation of Teachers headquarters. Please do not arrive before 8:30 AM as doors will not be opened before then.
The top 16 teams will be recognized and the top 6 teams moving on to the championship round will be announced at the conclusion of the preliminary rounds.
The championship round will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
Event Description
The NBPC showcases some of the best and brightest student leaders and budding entrepreneurs in the country.
Teams representing 32 VE companies from around the country have their written business plans and oral presentations judged by industry professionals and educators. After receiving top honors in local and regional business plan competitions during the school year, these teams have earned the chance to compete in the country’s premiere team-based national business plan competition.
Participation Details
Registration
Qualifying teams will be contacted by VE with registration details and form.
Rubric
Found at the following path: Hub / Curriculum / Competitions and Events / Competition Rubrics / Business Plan
National Finance Competition
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Event Details
The National Finance Competition will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The preliminary round will take place from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and the championship round will take place from 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Event Description
Teams of one-to-two Accounting & Finance employees from VE companies will deliver an oral presentation to a panel of judges addressing the company’s financial highlights, financial statements, and internal controls.
For the Balance Sheet, Summary Profit & Loss, and Sales Projections:
- Written submissions should be based on data as of January 31
- Oral presentations should be based on data as of March 31
Participation Details
Registration
The deadline to register is Friday, March 20, 2020 at 11:59 PM ET.
Rubric
Found at the following path: Hub / Curriculum / Competitions and Events / Competition Rubrics / Live Competitions / Finance Rubric (Live)
National Human Resources Competition
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Event Details
The National Human Resources Competition will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The preliminary round will take place from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and the championship round will take place from 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Event Description
Teams of one-to-three HR employees from VE companies deliver oral presentations to inform judges of their HR policies and practices as they relate to the employee handbook, company communications, employee evaluations and employee recognition.
Participation Details
Registration
The deadline to register is Friday, March 20, 2020 at 11:59 PM ET.
Rubric
Found at the following path: Hub / Curriculum / Competitions and Events / Competition Rubrics / Live Competitions / Human Resources Rubric
National Marketing Competition
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Event Details
The Marketing Competition will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The preliminary round will take place from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and the championship round will take place from 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Event Description
Teams of one-to-three marketing employees from VE companies deliver oral presentations to inform judges of their marketing plans and operations as they relate to the company pitch or problem they are solving, target market and segmentation, marketing plan, marketing results, and learning outcomes.
Participation Details
Registration
The deadline to register is Friday, March 20, 2020 at 11:59 PM ET.
Rubric
Found at the following path: Hub / Curriculum / Competitions and Events / Competition Rubrics / Live Competitions / Marketing Rubric (Live)
National QuickBooks Competition
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Event Details
The National QuickBooks Competition will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The preliminary round will take place from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and the championship round will take place from 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Event Description
Teams of 1-2 Accounting & Finance employees from VE companies will deliver oral presentations addressing their most recent quarterly results and providing responses to specific scenarios.
Participation Details
Registration
The deadline to register is Friday, March 20, 2020 at 11:59 PM ET.
Rubric
Found at the following path: Hub / Curriculum / Competitions and Events / Competition Rubrics / Live Competitions / Quickbooks Rubric (Live)
Global Business Challenge
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Event Details
The Global Business Challenge will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The preliminary round will take place from 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM and the championship round will take place from 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Event Description
The Global Business Challenge is one of the world’s most unique business-related events for high school students.
- Students representing different countries work in multinational teams to identify the challenges, opportunities, and risks involved in a global business by examining a real-world, college-level business case study.
- After 90 minutes of analysis and deliberation, teams present their findings to a panel of judges.
Participation Details
Registration
Registration is now closed. Please email yuvaraj@veinternational.org if you have any questions about registration.
Rubric
Team Materials and Case Study will be sent to participants in March.
International Trade Exhibition
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Event Details
The International Trade Exhibition will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Please refer to the 2020 Youth Business Summit Schedule of Events for more details.
Event Description
The International Trade Exhibition is the largest exhibition of practice businesses in the United States.
- Brings together more than 4,000 students, educators, business leaders, and industry professionals.
- VE’s largest and most dynamic live event.
- Every industry from entertainment, to business services, to travel and tourism is on display as more than 200 student businesses from 7 countries exhibit and sell their products and services to consumers and businesses inside and outside of the VE program.
- Students also compete for Best Booth Design and Best Salesmanship during the show.
Participation Details
Registration for the 2020 Youth Business Summit International Trade Show will go live on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 10:00 AM ET.
Best Booth Competition
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 & Thursday, April 23, 2020
Event Details
The Best Booth Competition will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 and Thursday, April 23, 2020 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
In order for your booth to be qualified for judging, booths located in the Main Exhibition Area must be completely set up by Wednesday, April 22 no later than 4:00 PM. Booths located in the Early Breakdown Exhibition must be set up by Thursday, April 23 no later than 9:00 AM. Booths that are not set up by these times will not be judged.
Booths in the Early Breakdown Area are NOT allowed to break down their booth before 12:00 PM (NO EXCEPTIONS!)
Booths in the Main Exhibition Area are NOT allowed to break down their booth before 2:00 PM ((NO EXCEPTIONS!)
Breaking down too early means invalidated sales. If your firm breaks down their booth earlier than the booth breakdown time for your area, ALL sales transactions for the trade show will be invalidated from your bank account.
Event Description
Each company is asked to design and build out a booth at a Virtual Enterprises International Trade Show. The trade show booth allows companies to highlight their product(s) and/or service(s) and to increase sales. All company employees can participate in booth construction and display at the Trade Show.
Participation Details
Registration
All International Trade Exhibition participants are automatically eligible for and entered in the Best Booth competition.
Rubric
Found at the following path: Hub / Curriculum / Competitions and Events / Competition Rubrics / Live Competitions / Booth Design
Sales Materials Competition
Event Description
Each Virtual Enterprise Company is asked to design sales materials, such as a company brochure, catalog or promotional materials whose purpose is to promote visibility and improve sales. In order to create effective sales materials, various departments such as Marketing, Sales, and Design must work collaboratively to develop materials that are consistent with the mission and objectives of the company.
Participation Details
Submission
The submission window for the 2020 Sales Materials Competition will open on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 and remain open through Friday, March 20, 2020 at 11:59pm EST.
To submit:
- Go to Hub / Competitions / Click SIGN IN and CONTINUE WITH YOUR VE ACCOUNT
- Paste competition link into the browser address bar:
https://competitions.veinternational.org/event/2020-youth-business-summit - Click DETAILS for allowable file types, etc.
- Click SUBMIT ENTRY to upload your file
- CONFIRM submission by clicking VIEW ENTRY to ensure proper upload
Rubric
Found at the following path: Hub / Curriculum / Competitions and Events / Competition Rubrics / Submission-Based Competitions / Sales Materials Rubric
Sales Pitch Competition
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Event Details
The Sales Pitch Competition will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal starting at 10:30 AM.
Event Description
Each Virtual Enterprise Company is asked to sell their product(s) and/or service(s) at the Virtual Enterprises International Trade Show. Sales Pitch is the act of making a complete and successful sale and will be evaluated on various aspects as outlined below. All company sales representatives are invited to participate.
Participation Details
Registration
Once registered, you will be contacted by VE with your time slot for when you will be judged. The deadline to register is Friday, March 20, 2020 at 11:59 PM ET.
Rubric
Found at the following path: Hub / Curriculum / Competitions and Events / Competition Rubrics / Live Competitions / Sales Pitch Rubric
Visitor Resources
The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal:
Home of the 2020 YBS
Located in Red Hook, Brooklyn on a 13-acre complex with breathtaking views of the New York skyline and harbor. The former site of the Atlantic Basin Iron Works and once a freight terminal, the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal today is one of New York’s main cruise terminals. When not welcoming cruise passengers, the terminal serves as a large and flexible event space suitable for a wide range of events. The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is one of NYC’s most unique venue locations, with a panoramic view of the Brooklyn bridge statue of liberty and Governors Island.
VE has arranged blocks of rooms at the following hotels. Students, teachers, and guests have until mid-February to mid-March to utilize the blocks at these hotels otherwise they will be released to the public. Schools are responsible for the payments of all hotel rooms. More hotels will be added to this list as opportunities arise. Please note that each hotel is unique and rooms vary in size. We recommend visiting the website prior to making arrangements.
*Shuttle service will be provided from the hotels to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Shuttle details coming soon
Travel To and Around Brooklyn
- How do I get to Brooklyn?
- How to get from Brooklyn to JFK and vice versa: train, bus, and car
- How To Get Around Brooklyn
- Transportation Maps
- Shuttle Schedule
Travel to United Federation of Teachers (UFT) Headquarters
UFT Headquarters
Address: 52 Broadway, New York, NY 10004
Public Transportation: 4 or 5 trains to Broadway; 2 or 3 trains to Wall Street; R or 1 trains to Rector Street; J or Z trains to Exchange Place and Broad Street
Travel to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
Address: 72 Bowne St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
When using Google Maps, GPS, or Ride Sharing Apps, please enter “Brooklyn Cruise Terminal” as the address NOT “72 Bowne Street”.
By Car
From Manhattan and Points North
Take the Battery Tunnel (I-478-E) into Brooklyn. Continue onto the westbound Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278-W) and immediately take the first exit on the right: Exit 26- Hamilton Avenue onto the service road. Stay to the left and make a left-U-turn at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue with Clinton Street/9th Street, then continue west along the westbound Hamilton Avenue service road. Continue on the service road to its end at Van Brunt Street. Turn left at Van Brunt Street, travel 2 blocks and then turn right onto Bowne Street to enter the terminal.
From Long Island and Points East
Take the LIE west to the westbound Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278-W, just after Exit 18 Maurice Avenue) and take Exit 26 – Hamilton Avenue onto the service road. Stay to the left and make a left-U-turn at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue with Clinton Street/9th Street, then continue west along the westbound Hamilton Avenue service road. Continue on the service road to its end at Van Brunt Street. Turn left at Van Brunt Street, travel 2 blocks and then turn right onto Bowne Street to enter the terminal.
From New Jersey and Points South and West
Take the NJ Turnpike south to Exit 13. Cross the Goethals Bridge to I-278, Staten Island Expressway and cross Verrazano Bridge into Brooklyn. Continue north on Gowanus / BQE and exit at Exit 26 (Hamilton Avenue). After the exit, go down the ramp to Van Brunt Street to its end, make a left turn on Van Brunt and travel 2 blocks and turn right onto Bowne Street to enter terminal.
By Subway
Take the F train to Smith/9th Street Train station and change for the B77 Bus. Get off bus at Conover Street and Dikeman Street. The walk is then approximately 6 long blocks to the terminal entrance.
Take 2/3/4/5/N/R subway train to Borough Hall and change for B61 bus which is on Atlantic Avenue (at Court Street). You must walk four (4) blocks south of the train station to access the bus stop. Get off bus at Pioneer Street and Van Brunt Street. The walk is then approximately 4 long blocks to the terminal entrance at Pioneer and Conover streets.
By NYC Ferry
Take the South Brooklyn route of the NYC ferry from Wall Street/Pier 11 to Red Hook/Atlantic Basin stop. Then walk approximately 2 mins to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
Things To Do
As a proud partner of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and NYC & Company, VE would like to share some of the following activities and resources provided by Explore Brooklyn and NYC & Co. A complimentary 2020 Delegate Discount Pass from our friends at NYC & Company, the ultimate guide to exclusive savings at participating member restaurants and attractions throughout New York City. Download the Explore Brooklyn: 100 Adventures Passport for a plethora of things to do and sites to see in Brooklyn! Visit Explore Brooklyn for additional visitor resources. Save BIG on New York’s Best Attractions by purchasing a Sightseeing Pass with discount code. Enjoy!
Make sure to check out https://www.nycgo.com/ for the official guide to NYC!
Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter the promo code “virtualenterprises” for 20% off.
Holiday Inn Express
625 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Rooms Available – Cut Off Date is 3/18/20
King
$169 + taxes and fees per night
Double/Doubles
$179 + taxes and fees per night
Maximum occupancy per room: 4 persons
Amenities
Complimentary Full Hot American Breakfast
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the entire hotel and guest rooms
In-Room Mini Fridges (Available Upon Request)
24 Hour Business Center
10 minute walk to subway
15 minute subway ride to Manhattan
Across the street to World Famous Dinosaur BBQ
Nearby Attractions
Barclay Center
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens
Brooklyn Bridge
Coney Island
Restaurants Walking Distance
Reservations
Online reservations: Click Here for Group Booking Link
By phone: please call 1-888-HOLIDAY and refer to the group code YBS
Fairfield Inn & Suites
181 3rd Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Rooms Available – Cut Off Date is 2/19/20
King Standard Room
$209 + taxes and fees per night
Maximum occupancy per room: 2 persons
Double Standard Room
$219 + taxes and fees per night
Maximum occupancy per room: 4 persons
Amenities
Complimentary Hot Breakfast
Free High Speed Internet
Fitness Center
10 minute walk to subway
15 minute subway ride to Manhattan
Nearby Attractions
Barclay Center
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens
Brooklyn Bridge
Coney Island
Restaurants Walking Distance
Reservations
Online reservations: Click Here for Group Booking Link
By phone: please call 1-718-522-4000 and refer to the group code Youth Business Summit – Virtual Enterprises
Holiday Inn Express – Wall Street (Manhattan)
126 Water Street
New York, NY 10005
Rooms Available – Cut Off Date is 3/18/20
King Standard Room
$179 + taxes and fees per night
Maximum occupancy per room: 2 persons
Double Standard Room
$199 + taxes and fees per night
Maximum occupancy per room: 4 persons
Amenities
Complimentary Hot Breakfast
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Fitness Center
Business Center
2 minute walk to subway
2 blocks from Subway & Wall Street Ferry to Brooklyn
Nearby Attractions
Wall Street
9-11 Memorial & Museum
Alexander Hamilton Gravesite
Federal Hall
Trinity Church
Reservations
Online reservations: Click Here for Group Booking Link
By phone: please call 1-888-HOLIDAY and refer to the group code VIR
AC Hotel New York Downtown
151 Maiden Ln.
New York, NY 10038
Rooms Available – Cut Off Date is 2/18/20
Double/Doubles
$249 + taxes and fees per night
Maximum occupancy per room: 4 persons
Amenities
Breakfast Buffet (additional charge)
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Fitness Center
3 minute walk to subway
2 blocks from Subway & Wall Street Ferry to Brooklyn
Nearby Attractions
Wall Street
9-11 Memorial & Museum
Alexander Hamilton Gravesite
Federal Hall
Trinity Church
Reservations
Online reservations: Click Here for Group Booking Link
Group code VE Youth Business Summit
About VE
VE transforms students through authentic business experiences which prepare them for fulfilling, financially secure futures. Since its inception in 1996, VE has served over 156,000 students, including many from economically disadvantaged communities. We currently support 16,000+ students across the U.S. each year and are part of a global network spanning 40 countries and 7,500 student-run businesses.