To empower individuals and communities to create impactful solutions for a better future, Bhutan Youth Development Fund’s Innovate Bhutan Centre has launched the globally recognised KidsMBA entrepreneurship programme. The initiative has a special reward: two winning teams will receive business incubation support from Innovate Bhutan. His Royal Highness Prince Ugyen Jigme Wangchuck officially launched the programme today.
The KidsMBA programme is set to give students aged 11 to 15 years a head start in the world of business. Over eight days, students will gain hands-on experience and life skills essential for entrepreneurship.
The inaugural training will commence tomorrow. 25 students will dive into 16 core modules ranging from developing innovative business ideas and financial planning to mastering marketing strategies and sales techniques.
Students will work in groups to develop and present their business ideas during a special pitch event next Saturday.
“During the pitch event two winning ideas will be selected, and to take these two winning ideas forward, Innovate Bhutan will provide them incubation support, including mentorship, and co-working space,” said Kinley Tenzin, director of the Bhutan Youth Development Fund.
He added that after that, the winning teams will continue the group work at Innovate Bhutan. The two teams will have a physical space, internet access, and mentors to guide them for around three months.
Furthermore, one of the two teams will also get an opportunity to participate in the International Creativity and Innovation Award 2025. However, they will be attending it virtually due to resource constraints.
Although the current batch needs to pay fees right now, the director of the Bhutan Youth Development Fund said that they will explore ways to make it affordable for interested individuals.
“The future plan is to make this Kids MBA available, and affordable, and for this, we are working on how to make it affordable and very soon we will be taking it beyond Thimphu,” added Kinley Tenzin, director of the Bhutan Youth Development Fund.
The initiative is launched in collaboration with UK-based ABE Global Limited. Recognised globally, KidsMBA has been featured by platforms such as Forbes as one of the leading initiatives for young entrepreneurs.
Through programmes like KidsMBA, Innovate Bhutan aims to empower 1,000 young social entrepreneurs by 2030.
Devika Pradhan
Edited by Phub Gyem
