Young Americas Business Trust

What Young Americas Business Trust does

The Young Americas Business Trust (YABT) is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit international organization founded in 1999 that operates in formal cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) to promote the social and economic development of young people aged 18-34 across the 35 OAS Member States. Since 2005, it has functioned as the official youth participation platform for the Summits of the Americas process, with cumulative reach of more than 100,000 young people across 75 countries. Its core offerings are organized into four interconnected program tracks: the Young Americas Forum and Policy Labs (leadership and hemispheric policy engagement), TIC Americas competitions including the Start-Up Challenge, Eco-Challenge, InnovAction Challenge, and BioPlastics Challenge (competition and showcase), BOOTCamp and NexLinks (business skills training via a digital platform with over 100 training videos), and Leadership Labs (diplomacy and public policy certification).

YABT's operating model combines a self-serve digital learning platform (BOOTCamp) with event-driven convening (the biennial Young Americas Forum, which drew more than 200 youth delegates to Punta Cana in December 2025) and partnership-driven distribution through OAS Member State ministries and multilateral networks. Its underlying technology is a standard content management and competition-registration stack; no proprietary AI/ML systems are disclosed. The organization's intellectual property is anchored in a registered trademark portfolio covering the YABT, TIC Americas, BOOTCamp, Eco-Challenge, Start-Up Challenge, InnovAction Challenge, Caribbean Innovation Competition, and Young Americas Forum brands.

Revenue is generated through three streams: partnership and grant funding from multilateral organizations (OAS), foundations (Inter-American Foundation), financial institutions (Banreservas), and corporate partners (PepsiCo); donations accepted through the organizational website; and participant fees for the Leadership Labs program, priced at $1,550 USD per person for the 2026 cohort covering virtual sessions and in-person training but excluding travel costs. Most programs (TIC Americas, NexLinks, Youth Dialogues) are offered free of charge to participants, and the paid Leadership Labs tier is a recently introduced and narrow revenue layer on top of the grant-funded base.

Name

Young Americas Business Trust

Legal name

Young Americas Business Trust

Website

https://yabt.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Young Americas Business Trust (YABT) is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that, in cooperation with the OAS, runs youth entrepreneurship competitions (TIC Americas), leadership training (Leadership Labs), digital skills courses (BOOTCamp), and the Young Americas Forum for 18-34 year-olds across the Americas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Entrepreneurship Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps (EDAMALAK), Entrepreneurship, Business & Innovation Camps (EDAMALAL), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

Keywords

• Youth entrepreneurship programs
• Entrepreneurship competitions
• Leadership development training
• Civic engagement forums
• Startup capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Partnership and Grant Funding: YABT operates as a nonprofit international organization funded through partnerships with multilateral organizations (OAS), financial institutions (Banreservas), foundations (IAF), and corporate partners (PepsiCo). Revenue supports programs for youth entrepreneurship development.
2. Program Fees: The Leadership Labs program charges $1,550 USD per participant for virtual sessions, coordination, and training during in-person events. This represents a fee-for-service component supporting program delivery.
3. Donations: The organization accepts donations through its website to support youth entrepreneurship programs and initiatives across the Americas.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

YABT runs a portfolio of youth entrepreneurship and civic engagement programs targeting young people aged 18-34 across the Americas. Flagship offerings include the TIC Americas competition suite (Start-Up Challenge, Eco-Challenge, InnovAction Challenge, BioPlastics Challenge), the BOOTCamp digital training resource, the Leadership Labs diplomacy certification program, NexLinks networking, and the biennial Young Americas Forum convened in connection with the Summits of the Americas.

Product overview

Young Americas Business Trust operates a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on youth entrepreneurship and leadership development across the Americas. The core offerings include TIC Americas, a multi-category competition program featuring the Start-Up Challenge, Eco-Challenge, InnovAction Challenge, BioPlastics Challenge, and Youth on the Move; the Young Americas Forum, the official youth participation platform for Summits of the Americas; Leadership Labs, a diplomacy and leadership certification program; and BOOTCamp, a digital training resource with over 100 video courses. These programs work together to provide a continuum of support from capacity-building (BOOTCamp, Leadership Labs) through competitions and showcasing (TIC Americas) to policy engagement (Young Americas Forum), all delivered in cooperation with the Organization of American States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TIC Americas: Talent and Innovation Competitions of the Americas - a program that supports entrepreneurial youth from the continent
• Young Americas Forum
• BOOTCamp
• Leadership Labs
• NexLinks
• Eco-Challenge
• Start-Up Challenge
• InnovAction Challenge
• Juventud en Movimiento

Products and services

• TIC Americas (Talent and Innovation Competitions of the Americas) A flagship competition program supporting youth entrepreneurship across the Americas through multiple challenges, providing seed capital, mentoring, and visibility opportunities to young innovators aged 18-34.
• Young Americas Forum The official platform created by YABT to facilitate active youth participation in the Summits of the Americas, OAS General Assemblies, and Ministerial Meetings, serving as a permanent channel for youth contributions to hemispheric priorities.
• Eco-Challenge (Eco-Reto) A sustainability-focused competition within TIC Americas inviting youth entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions addressing environmental priorities such as sustainable agriculture, waste management, water recycling, and circular economy.
• Start-Up Challenge A special category within TIC Americas providing young entrepreneurs aged 18-34 with business capacity-building, tailored training sessions, mentoring by international specialists, and seed capital opportunities for innovative startup ventures.
• InnovAction Challenge An innovation competition within TIC Americas that challenges youth to develop creative solutions addressing regional priorities and sustainable development goals.
• BioPlastics Challenge A specialized challenge focused on bioplastics innovation and sustainable materials, encouraging entrepreneurs to develop solutions for reducing plastic pollution and promoting green alternatives.
• BOOTCamp A digital resource center for young entrepreneurs offering over 100 videos, live training sessions, and expert-led courses across categories including project formulation, finance, marketing, sustainability, technology, and leadership, permanently open to participants.
• Leadership Labs (Laboratorios de Liderazgo) A leadership development initiative that strengthens skills in diplomacy, inter-American systems, and international cooperation through theoretical-practical programs including certification in diplomacy and protocol, multilateralism seminars, and participation in high-level youth encounters.
• NexLinks A business skills development program that connects young entrepreneurs with networks and resources to strengthen their entrepreneurial capabilities across the Americas.
• Youth on the Move (Juventud en Movimiento) A competition program within TIC Americas focused on youth mobility and migration entrepreneurship, supporting young people in developing innovative solutions for migration and integration challenges.
• Policy Labs Virtual sessions with international experts designed to facilitate the incorporation of research data into policy and practice, with a special focus on youth participation in hemispheric affairs.
• Youth Dialogues Platform for youth to participate in and lead dialogues to express recommendations, needs, priorities, and actions on the way to the Young Americas Forum.
• Remote Professional Internship Program A remote internship program offering young graduates and final-year university students from OAS Member States opportunities to join a multicultural work team committed to supporting entrepreneurial development, innovation, and youth citizen participation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ young people supported across 75 countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Inter-American Foundation (IAF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2023Three-year collaboration (2023-2026) to support youth and grassroots communities across the Americas. Joint activities include working with youth-led organizations, facilitating access to international grants, providing business acceleration platform, and promoting women's and youth leadership. Previously collaborated successfully in 2020-2022 supporting 1,300+ young people through InnovAction Challenge.
• Organization of American States (OAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYABT works in formal cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States. OAS provides institutional backing and YABT serves as the official youth participation mechanism for Summits of the Americas and OAS General Assemblies.
• Banreservas (Banco de Reservas of the Dominican Republic)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner supporting Start-Up Challenge and VII Young Americas Forum hosting. Banreservas provides seed capital, visibility opportunities, and strategic connections for competition winners. Host venue for VII Forum announcement.
• PepsiCo Bebidas LatinoaméricaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Eco-Challenge sustainability competition. PepsiCo supports innovative youth projects focused on sustainability categories including sustainable agriculture, circular economy, and environmental solutions.
• USA for IOM / International Organization for Migration (IOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on migration and entrepreneurship initiatives, including Youth Dialogue on Migration, Development and Integration. Supports young Venezuelan entrepreneurs and other migrants in the region.
• Summits of the Americas SecretariatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAS of OAS coordinates with YABT on the official youth participation process leading to the X Summit of the Americas. YABT programs (TIC Americas, Leadership Labs, Nexlinks) are integrated into the Summit consultation process.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Dominican Republic (MIREX)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost government partner for the VII Young Americas Forum in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (December 2025). MIREX coordinates Summit logistics and youth engagement.
• Ministry of Youth of Dominican RepubliccoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment implementing partner for VII Young Americas Forum, supporting youth delegate coordination and national youth participation.
• German Government (Federal Foreign Office)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner supporting citizen security working groups and moderation at VII Forum. Germany contributes expertise on youth development and international cooperation.
• Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on food security and agricultural entrepreneurship initiatives. IICA contributes technical expertise on sustainable agriculture and rural development for youth programs.
• OLADE (Latin American Energy Organization)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting energy security thematic discussions at the VII Young Americas Forum.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Endeavor: Global nonprofit supporting high-impact entrepreneurs through mentorship, networks, and access to capital, with operations in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Comparable to YABT on mission (entrepreneurship development) and partner-led operating model, though Endeavor focuses on scaling existing ventures rather than early-stage youth.
• Ashoka: Global network supporting social entrepreneurs, including a large youth-focused "Ashoka Young Changemakers" program. Comparable to YABT on youth empowerment, changemaker framing, and global network-based delivery, though Ashoka is broader (all ages, all social issues) and more established.
• Junior Achievement Worldwide: Global nonprofit delivering youth entrepreneurship education programs in 100+ countries via competitions, curricula, and mentorship. Closely comparable to YABT in mission (youth entrepreneurship), age range, and competition-led model, though significantly larger and longer-running.
• Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN): Global organization coordinating entrepreneurship promotion activities across 180+ countries, including Global Entrepreneurship Week and youth-focused competitions. Comparable to YABT on entrepreneurship competition programming and global coordination role.
• AIESEC: Global youth-led organization offering leadership development, internships, and cross-cultural exchange programs for young adults (primarily 18-30). Comparable to YABT on demographic focus, leadership development mission, and global program footprint, though AIESEC is more weighted to exchange/employment experiences.
• World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community: An initiative of the WEF organizing local hubs of young leaders (under 30) driving community impact projects worldwide. Comparable to YABT on demographic (young leaders), hub-based engagement model, and connection to high-level international policy processes.
• YouthActionNet (International Youth Foundation): Global fellowship and academy program supporting young social entrepreneurs in over 90 countries. Comparable to YABT on demographic, social entrepreneurship mission, and global fellowship-based program design.
• International Youth Foundation: Global nonprofit focused on youth workforce development, leadership, and entrepreneurship, active across multiple regions including Latin America. Comparable to YABT on mission (youth economic opportunity), age demographic, and international nonprofit structure.

Regional players

• Socialab: Latin American social innovation platform running competitions and accelerators for impact entrepreneurs across the region. Comparable to YABT on social entrepreneurship competition model and Latin American geographic footprint, with a more product/startup-acceleration orientation.

Broad incumbents

• Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Youth Programs: Multilateral development bank running multiple youth entrepreneurship, skills, and innovation programs across Latin America and the Caribbean. Comparable to YABT on geographic focus (Americas) and youth entrepreneurship focus, but operates as a much larger incumbent with broader mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/YABTs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/YabtNetwork/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/YABTDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/young-americas-business-trust-37bb4bb8
• Instagraminstagram.com/yabtdc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Young Americas Business Trust