Dominican entrepreneurs embark on US journey with YLAI Scholarships

Santo Domingo.- The United States Embassy has announced the selection of seven Dominican entrepreneurs to participate in the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) this year, organized by the Department of State.

Chosen through a rigorous selection process, these seven emerging leaders were among over 1,800 applicants from across the region. They join a cohort of 280 young professionals hailing from 37 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada.

The YLAI program commenced with a virtual curriculum focused on business leadership. Subsequently, participants were divided into cohorts and embarked on four-week internships at various American companies across 19 cities in the United States. During their internships, they collaborated with peers to tackle common business challenges and engaged in cross-cultural events and activities.

Since its inception in 2015, YLAI has been instrumental in equipping young entrepreneurs from the Western Hemisphere with essential business, management, and entrepreneurial skills. The program fosters connections between participants and American and regional entrepreneurs, enabling them to apply their newfound knowledge and expertise in their respective communities. To date, approximately 30 entrepreneurs from the Dominican Republic have benefited from YLAI scholarships, leveraging their experiences to drive positive change in areas such as Bahoruco, Puerto Plata, Samaná, San Cristóbal, Boca Chica, Santiago de los Caballeros, and Santo Domingo.

The call for applications for the YLAI 2025 program will be open from May 8 to June 5, 2024.