Young Founders School Press & Media

Young Founders School (YFS), the global education charity empowering high school students to build real businesses, is celebrating a major milestone this month: 10 years of impact.

Since its founding in 2016, YFS has reached over 35,000 students across 10 countries, engaging 800+ mentors from leading companies like Microsoft, Dyson, Salesforce, and Barclays. The organization's unique model combines AI-powered entrepreneurship courses with real-world internships and one-on-one mentorship.

"A decade ago, we started with a simple belief: every young person deserves a chance to build something real," said Billy Naveed, Chairman of YFS. "Today, we're not just teaching entrepreneurship. We're preparing an entire generation for an AI-powered economy."

YFS' flagship internship program places students in companies where they work on real projects under mentor guidance. Graduates leave with a portfolio, a network, and proof they can build — not just theoretical knowledge.

As YFS looks to the next decade, the organization aims to reach 1 million students globally by 2030, facilitate 50,000 mentorship connections, and become the world's largest youth innovation network.

Young Founders School is launching a new AI Workskills Programme designed to equip high school students with the practical skills they'll need in an AI-powered economy.

The programme teaches students how to use AI tools for business planning, market research, customer analysis, and operational efficiency. Unlike theoretical AI courses, YFS' approach is hands-on: students build real businesses using AI as their primary tool.

"The question isn't whether AI will transform entrepreneurship. It already has," said Naveed. "Our students who learn to leverage AI responsibly are graduating with advantages their peers don't have."

The AI Workskills Programme is available to all YFS students, with fully-funded spots available for students from economically weaker sections.

Young Founders School will host its annual gala dinner on September 5, 2026, at a prestigious Singapore venue. The event celebrates a decade of transforming young lives through entrepreneurship education.

The gala will bring together corporate partners, mentors, donors, and student success stories. A portion of proceeds will fund fully-spots for students from underprivileged backgrounds.

More details including ticket information and sponsorship opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks.