Sherab Lhamo

In a bid to nurture a new generation of social entrepreneurs, Bhutan Youth Development Fund (YDF) has partnered with ABE Global Ltd (UK) to launch the internationally acclaimed KidsMBA entrepreneurship programme themed “Educate Kids to Innovate Bhutan.”  The programme was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Ugyen Jigme Wangchuck, yesterday.

The programme is designed to provide youth with real-world entrepreneurial skills and the mindset to navigate the dynamic business environment.

ABE Global Ltd., is an independent organisation that empowers individuals through business education. Its KidsMBA programme, recognised globally by platforms like Forbes, is implemented in over 30 countries.

The director of YDF, Kinley Tenzin, said the KidsMBA programme serves as a winter enrichment programme, offering students a productive way to use their holiday period while developing skills essential for the 21st century.

He emphasised the importance of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among younger generations to strengthen Bhutan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, which has traditionally focused on adults.

“Studies show that entrepreneurship is a key driver of growth and opportunity, yet our nation has not been on the Global Innovation Index report since 2016,” said Kinley Tenzin.

The KidsMBA programme provides children aged 11-15 (classes 6-8) with a head start in business, offering real-world experiences, life skills and mindset required to run an enterprise or become an entrepreneur.

Two certified trainers, trained under the ABE curriculum, will guide participants through 16 modules. The eight-day covers 16 topics from the ABE curriculum, comprising business idea development and validation, market research and customer segmentation, financial planning and budgeting, marketing and sales strategies, teamwork and communication, and presentation and pitching skills among others.

The first batch of 25 students began today, with each participant paying Nu 10,000 at a promotional rate.

Kinley Tenzin said that future batches may see increased fees but assured efforts to keep the programme affordable. “Fifty percent of the fees go toward ABE for curriculum access and certification,” he said.

The programme will culminate in a pitching competition on January 25, where student teams will present their business ideas to a panel of experts.

The two winning teams will receive cash prizes, business incubation support, and mentorship from Innovate Bhutan.

The first winning team will also gain a spot in the International Creativity and Innovation Award (ICIA) 2025 organised by Krya Global in Vietnam and compete for the Future Entrepreneur of the Year Award hosted by ABE, with cash prizes ranging from USD 500 to USD1,000.

Till date, YDF has trained 400 young people and supported 25 social enterprise ideas, with their mission to empower 1,000 young social entrepreneurs by 2030.