Bold ideas need access, skills & a pathway.
YEEP helps Black and racialized youth move from curiosity to confidence, from ideas to prototypes, and from potential to meaningful opportunities through mentorship, practical learning, networks and venture-building experiences.
Talent is universal. Opportunity is not.
Too many young people have bold ideas but lack the access, support and networks to bring them to life. YEEP exists to bridge that gap, helping the next generation of innovators feel seen, supported and prepared.
Built around youth, strengthened by people who open doors.
YEEP brings young people, mentors, professionals, businesses and supporters into one practical ecosystem.
YEEP proudly supports
- 01Black and racialized youth ages 15–29.
- 02Young people seeking mentorship, skills training and stronger networks.
- 03Youth with ideas, curiosity or passion. No prior experience is required.
YEEP also welcomes
- 01Mentors and professionals across different fields.
- 02Organizations and businesses looking to collaborate or create opportunities.
- 03Sponsors, donors and funders investing in equity and youth development.
Each cohort builds on the one before it.
YEEP has evolved from a foundation of mentorship and skills-building into a more immersive innovation and venture-building experience.
Cohort 1
The first cohort established the YEEP foundation through professional-led workshops, mentorship, project development and opportunities for youth to build confidence and direction.
Cohort 2
YEEP evolved into a higher-energy, action-driven hackathon, preserving the mentorship and learning foundation while adding team-based innovation, technical guidance and solution showcases.
YEEP Hackathon 3.0 · Ideas to Impact
YEEP Hackathon Cohort 3 is an 8-week innovation journey for Black and racialized youth across the Lower Mainland, culminating in a 3-day live hackathon to build, test, and pitch venture-ready ideas for a chance to access $7,500 in seed funding.
More than a competition. A place to learn by building.
Cohort 2 introduced a more immersive hackathon experience, giving participants space to work in teams, solve practical challenges, strengthen ideas and present their thinking.
There is more than one way to move the next idea forward.
Join the current cohort, share your experience as a mentor, or work with Thrive4Blacks to expand the opportunities available to young people.
Join YEEP 3.0
Explore the current hackathon, eligibility, learning journey and application pathway.
Explore the current cohort →Share what you know
YEEP welcomes professionals who can guide, challenge and encourage young builders.
See YEEP 3.0 opportunities →Help create access
Support learning, mentorship, prizes, networks and the pathways that help ideas continue beyond the program.
Contact Cynthia →Youth opportunity grows through collaboration.
See what YEEP is building next.
The newest chapter brings mentorship, innovation, technology and venture-building together in YEEP Hackathon 3.0.
Visit YEEP 3.0 →