The Hitachi Foundation announced recently that it has renewed its search for young socially-minded entrepreneurs to win $40,000 from its Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs Program. The program’s goal is to provide strengthening capital to five entrepreneurs who are working to create economic opportunities for low-income individuals.

The Hitachi Foundation is a non-profit focused on discovering and expanding business practices that create tangible and enduring economic opportunities for low-wealth Americans, their families, and the communities in which they reside. The Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs Program therefore provides direct support to burgeoning young entrepreneurs who operate businesses that create greater economic opportunity and help to improve the lives of such individuals.

To be eligible for the Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs Program, each entrepreneur-applicant must have founded their business between the ages of 18 and 29. Businesses must be 1-5 years established and revenue generating for at least the past 12 months. The focus of the business must include offering economic opportunity to low-income individuals. Business models must create jobs, supply goods or services, or use internal management practices that offer low-wealth Americans increased economic mobility.

The Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs receive a cash prize along with technical and partner resources. Program entrepreneurs gain partnership and a mentor with Investors’ Circle – a non profit organization that utilizes private capital to promote transition to a sustainable economy.

“Now in its second year, the Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs Program is a business
competition with an important twist: we are looking for young entrepreneurs,
wherever they may be, whatever their business may be, who have put social
sustainability on par with financial sustainability,” said Dr. Bruce MacLaury, Chair
of the Foundation. “The program allows us to learn from innovative, young business
leaders about how to build and run a financially sustainable business that improves
the lives of low-wealth individuals in this country.”

The program thus empowers emerging business leaders with innovative solutions to societal problems. It is the foundation’s wish to show off each entrepreneurs’ story to learn and share best practices from each. In this way, Hitachi Foundation can excite and inform others looking to expand business ideas to improve lives and build community.

Email yoshiprogram@hitachifoundation.org with program questions.

The first round application deadline is March 14. To learn more or apply, visit http://www.hitachifoundation.org.