Youth Start-Up Initiative

Hello Everyone,

My name is Davon Smith. Before enrolling in my alma mater, The University of Michigan, I was considered an at-risk youth. In my junior year in high school, I enrolled in an entrepreneurship club and subsequently won first place in youth entrepreneurship competitions and was granted several college scholarships. This provided me with the confidence needed to pursue and obtain my college degree as well as become an avid entrepreneur.

I founded Youth Start-Up Initiative with students like myself in mind. We aim to provide at-risk youth with the support and resources necessary to inspire and promote entrepreneurship. Youth Start-Up Initiative will equip youth with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to become successful youth entrepreneurs and pitch competition competitors through mentoring and entrepreneurship coaching.

In addition to working with vulnerable students at school districts of all kinds, we aim to work with group homes and juvenile detention facilities to provide mentorship and entrepreneurial coaching to encourage productivity, inspire integrity, and reduce juvenile recidivism.

I want to foster an environment where homeless and other vulnerable students are given the platform to compete with their peers and receive the means to pursue their personal passions and start-ups.

Every dollar fundraised allows Youth Start-Up Initiative to donate our time and run our program in schools, group homes, and youth facilities that may not otherwise have the funding to utilize our services.

Youth Start-Up Initiative is incorporated in the State of Michigan. Funds raised will go toward operational expenses, including mentor/coach wages, student meals, classroom pitch competition awards, and program completion scholarships.

Thank you for donating!