Venn Innovation and the Youth Entrepreneurship Competition, or YEC, have announced a new multi-year partnership to create entrepreneurship opportunities for youth.

Under the agreement unveiled Tuesday, YEC will have a stronger presence in the Venn Centre, the startup house in downtown Moncton, and Venn’s support for YEC programs across the province.

“For us it’s about creating a pipeline for young people who are creative and curious to channel it,” said YEC Founder Sarah Short. “That’s a goal we share with Venn.”

Last year, the two organizations affirmed their commitment to provide more opportunities for the province’s young entrepreneurs and YEC established an office in the Venn Centre.

Short added: “For the past four years, our partnership with Venn has been a perfect example of how impactful collaboration can be. Today’s announcement shows that we’re getting more intentional with what we hope to achieve.”

The YEC aims to pave the way for youth under the age of 25 with a good business idea. The organization hosts an annual pitching competition, which gives young entrepreneurs the chance to showcase their ideas and get them on track to starting a business.

“The YEC has proven to be a remarkable vehicle to expose New Brunswick youth to the possibilities of being an entrepreneur,” said Venn CEO Doug Robertson. “Each year we are so inspired by the energy, creativity and enthusiasm they bring to their entrepreneurial ideas at the YEC competition.”

Over the past two years, the YEC and Venn have brought over 100 youth into the startup community through the Venn Centre, which aims to help tech companies grow and sustain their business.

Applications are now open for the 2018 Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. You can apply up until midnight on Feb. 23.

Disclosure: Venn Innovation is a client of Entrevestor.