They call it the TikTok generation. The iPad generation. The distracted, lazy, screen-addicted generation.

But there’s another side no one is talking about.

It’s the generation that watches YouTube to learn how to build websites.
 The one that turns friendship bracelets into Etsy sales.
 The one designing eco-friendly products in between math homework and robotics club.

This is the rise of the youthpreneur, and it’s one of the most exciting movements of our time.

More Teens Are Becoming Founders and It’s Not a Trend

In the past, starting a business was something you did after you graduated, got a job, or went to business school.

But Gen Z and Gen Alpha are rewriting that script.

A recent survey by Junior Achievement found that nearly 60% of teens want to start their own business someday and thousands already have.

They’re not waiting for adulthood. They’re not waiting for permission.
 They’re starting now from bedrooms, school desks, garages, and kitchen tables.

Real Youth, Real Businesses, Real Impact

Let’s zoom in:

  • Lily, age 13, started a soap company using natural ingredients to help classmates with eczema. She donates a portion of profits to children’s hospitals.
  • Devon, age 16, developed a mobile app to help teens navigate mental health resources after losing a friend to suicide.
  • Maria, age 14, turned her passion for baking into a local delivery service that supports her family’s income while her mother goes through chemotherapy.

These aren’t school projects. These are real ventures making real contributions to communities, socially, emotionally, and even economically.

Why Youth Make Exceptional Entrepreneurs

Young founders bring something to the table that’s often missing in traditional business: fearless creativity and personal stakes.

They don’t have years of corporate conditioning telling them what’s “not possible.”
 They haven’t yet been taught to color inside the lines.

Instead, they see gaps in the world around them, and try to fill them with something better.

Here’s what sets them apart:

  • They build what they need. Many youthpreneurs create products that solve problems they’ve faced firsthand whether it’s bullying, lack of access to resources, or mental health struggles.
  • They lead with empathy. Having grown up in a time of crisis (pandemics, climate anxiety, social unrest), many youth approach entrepreneurship as a form of activism, not just profit.
  • They think globally from the start. Thanks to digital tools, young founders often design for a wide audience, whether selling on Etsy, showcasing on Instagram, or pitching through crowdfunding platforms.

But the Hustle Isn’t as Easy as It Looks

Social media tends to glamorize the “kidpreneur” lifestyle, the lemonade stand that turned into a six-figure brand, or the teen CEO with a viral TED Talk.

But behind the curtain, youth entrepreneurship is often lonely, underfunded, and full of obstacles.

Many young founders lack access to:

  • Basic tools like photo editing, packaging, or websites
  • Mentorship from someone who takes them seriously
  • Financial resources to produce or market their products
  • Emotional support to navigate the pressure of being “impressive” so early

In fact, some teens abandon brilliant ideas simply because no one around them believed in them enough to help.

That’s the cost of neglecting youth potential.
And it’s happening far more often than it should.

The Missed Opportunity Hiding in Every Community

Most towns and cities proudly fund youth sports, academic decathlons, and college readiness programs.

But entrepreneurship? It’s often treated like a luxury or something for “later in life.”

Yet, a teen who starts a business learns:

  • Time management
  • Financial literacy
  • Branding and communication
  • Customer service
  • Problem-solving under pressure
  • How to handle rejection and resilience

Isn’t that the kind of education we want our future leaders to have?

Supporting youth entrepreneurship isn’t just good for the kids.
 It’s good for all of us, our communities, our economy, our future workforce.

How You Can Support a Young Entrepreneur (Even If You’re Not One)

You don’t have to be an investor or business expert to make a difference. Here are simple ways anyone can support youth-led ventures:

  • Buy their product. Your purchase might be their first sale, and the confidence boost they need.
  • Share their story. Post about their business on social media or recommend them to others.
  • Offer feedback. Kindly and respectfully  like you would to any other entrepreneur.
  • Be a mentor or connector. Introduce them to someone in your network who can help.
  • Treat them seriously. This may be “just a side hustle” to others, but to them, it’s a dream in motion.

Let’s Change the Question We Ask Our Kids

Instead of always asking:
 “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

What if we asked:
 “What are you building now?”

Let’s raise a generation who believes their ideas matter today.
 Let’s become the kind of adults who say: “I see you. I believe in you. Let’s build this together.”

There’s already a movement happening, and it’s led by the youth.

If you’re reading this, maybe it’s time to join them.