About YEP
Bridging Campus & Community Through Entrepreneurship
Apply HereYEP!@Brown is a free, student-led entrepreneurship program for Providence high schoolers — built on the belief that opening Brown’s doors to its neighbors is how the next generation of change-makers gets started.
Our Three Missions
Why We Show Up
- 01
Develop Capable Entrepreneurs
Equip young founders with the tools, mindset, and mentorship they need to grow the resources and wealth of their communities.
- 02
Grow Confidence
Create space for participants to test ideas, fail safely, and build the conviction to keep going.
- 03
Strengthen Town–Gown Ties
Improve the relationship between Brown University and the local Providence community through shared learning.
Our Story
Our History
YEP! was founded in 2019 by three Brown University students — Audrey Shapiro, Lucia Winton, and Leah Lam — to address strained town–gown relations and the lack of entrepreneurship opportunities in under-resourced communities. Today YEP serves hundreds of Providence students every year, every program completely free.
YEP Nationally
Seven Chapters. One Mission.
YEP!@Brown is one of seven YEP National chapters around the world — a network of student-led programs sharing curriculum, mentorship, and the conviction that young entrepreneurs deserve real seats at the table.
- Providence
- New Haven
- Berkeley
- Los Angeles
- Santa Barbara
- New York City
- Australia