The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) is the U.S. Department of State’s flagship program for emerging entrepreneurs and business leaders from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada.

Designed to promote mutual understanding and build a network of young business leaders, the program brings young leaders to the U.S. for entrepreneurial leadership training and fellowships with U.S. companies and enterprises. 

The YLAI Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IREX.

• Fellows are emerging entrepreneurs between the ages of 25 and 35 who have a demonstrated track record of at least two years of experience with either small and medium sized business ventures.   
• Communities in the United States and in the Fellows’ home countries benefit from these exchanges, which foster richer expertise, broader ties, and stronger, more resilient businesses. The fellowship provides these emerging young leaders with the opportunity to develop their skills by placing them with a U.S. business and additional professional development opportunities during and after the fellowship ends. Fellows’ and U.S. hosting companies benefit from access to new markets, leading to new sales and investment opportunities.
• The YLAI Fellowship continues to grow and strengthen a network of entrepreneurial leaders with ties to the United States, driving impact across the Western Hemisphere. Since the initiative’s launch in 2015, more than 1,900 YLAI Fellows have expanded their leadership and entrepreneurial experience. Over 250 fellows will participate in the 2026 YLAI Fellowship, taking place online and across 17 U.S. cities.

• Invest in a new generation of young entrepreneurial leaders in the Americas who are shaping the region’s future.
• Strengthen economic development and prosperity across the Americas through deepening business relationships and connections with the United States.
• Create a sustainable network of business entrepreneurial leaders who foster mutual understanding and increase business ties between the United States and the Americas.

• Customized curriculum: Once accepted into the program, YLAI Fellows begin a journey toward greater entrepreneurial leadership with a customized curriculum designed for them.
• U.S. fellowship: Fellows sharpen their entrepreneurial leadership and develop their skills through a four-week U.S.-based fellowship with U.S. business leaders and additional professional development opportunities during and after the fellowship. Fellows develop an action plan to enhance their own ventures once they return home
• Closing forum in Washington, D.C.: At the conclusion of the fellowship, YLAI Fellows participate in a closing forum to bridge their U.S. fellowship experience with their return home and cement their new skills into action over the next nine months.
• Outbound exchange: After the YLAI Fellowship, U.S. business representatives have the opportunity to travel to the YLAI Alum's home country to continue to build upon emerging business partnerships and professional connections made during the YLAI Fellowship and cultivate new professional partnerships with Alumni to broaden markets and networks, enhancing U.S. relations with Western Hemisphere nations.
• Opportunities for alumni: Alumni continue to build the skills and connections developed during their time in the United States through access to ongoing professional development, networking, and collaboration opportunities with support from the U.S. Department of State and affiliated partners.

E-mail: ylaifellowship@irex.org

The YLAI Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IREX.