@IREX is proud to announce the launch of the tenth-year cohort for the 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program. This cohort marks a key program milestone in generating ten years of impact and innovation across the Western Hemisphere.
Last week, over 230 Fellows from 36 countries arrived in Houston, TX, for the YLAI Opening Orientation. At the Opening Orientation event, Fellows learned from each other and Texas-based entrepreneurs in thematic breakout sessions, and practiced strategies for successful engagement with their U.S. business partners and independent living in the United States.
Over the weeks ahead, YLAI Fellows will work closely with American businesses and communities across 17 cities, exchanging ideas, building partnerships, and learning from one another to generate sustained impact both within the United States and across Latin America and the Caribbean. They will return to D.C. in late May for the Closing Forum, where they will come together to celebrate their accomplishments and commemorate the successes from the past 10 years of program implementation.
#YLAI2026 | #YLAIat10 | #DecadeofExcellence | @ExchangeOurWorld | @IREXinternational
#ECAGlobalLeaders | #ExchangeOurWorld
A new cohort. A milestone year. Ten years of impact. 🌎
Welcome to the 2026 YLAI Fellows! You’re joining a community of entrepreneurs and leaders who have been strengthening connections across the Americas since 2016.
Visit the link in our bio to explore a decade of stories, partnerships, and milestones.
#YLAIat10 #YLAI2026 #DecadeOfExcellence
Announcing the application for the YLAI Mentorship Matching Program!
Complete your application by accessing the YLAI Alumni Hub on Canvas before the application close date on October 22, 2025.
** Please note that you must be an YLAI 2025 Alumnus of the YLAI Program to be eligible to apply. Up to 50 SPOTS available. **
📢 Happening today at 5PM ET! Join the third #YLAIEntrepreneurs virtual session on mentorship and resilience in entrepreneurship.
Hear from alumni and U.S. entrepreneurship experts about:
• The impact of mentorship on business growth
• Best practices for nurturing mentor-mentee relationships
• Building resilience in tough times
Have any questions for the experts?
Happening today 📢! Join us for the second session in our #YLAIEntrepreneurs virtual series. Entrepreneurship experts and YLAI alums in this session will address:
• Common funding barriers for early-stage entrepreneurs
• Crowdfunding in low-capital environments
• Building investor-ready business models
• Strategies for entrepreneurs with limited networks
• How to respond to investor rejection and build resilience
Join via the link in bio at 5pm ET!
FINAL CALL for applications for the 2025 YLAI Impact Grant‼️🔔 Closing today at 11:59 PM ET, this is your last opportunity to apply for the 2025 YLAI Impact Grant and win up to $2,000 to implement an impactful project of your choice. Selected applicants will be notified of their status by October, 2025. 🗓️
Complete your application by accessing the YLAI Alumni Hub on Canvas. ** Please note that you must be an Alumnus of the YLAI Program to be eligible to apply. **
We are excited to announce that all 250+ Fellows of the #YLAI2026 cohort have been selected and notified of their finalist status! 🎉 YLAI Fellows, representing 37 eligible countries across the Western Hemisphere, are emerging business leaders advancing innovation and economic growth in the region. Stay tuned to learn more about this cohort soon! 🙌
Don't forget to join the #YLAINetwork to grow as a leader, connect with peers across the region, and share new ideas for developing your businesses and communities. To learn more and become a member, access: ylai.state.gov/network/
With 68+ Impact Grants awarded, the YLAI Impact Grant has supported projects which foster entrepreneurial knowledge and network expansion across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada. 🌎
Past projects have focused on skills-building and generating collaboration across various capacities to address local challenges, including youth education mentorships, webinars, entrepreneurial development workshops, and multi-day networking conferences.
Interested in seeing other past project examples? 💡 Access the YLAI Alumni Hub on Canvas. ** Please note that this opportunity is open to YLAI Program Alumni. **
Announcing the launch of the 2025 YLAI Impact Grant application! 📢
Open to YLAI Alumni, the 2025 YLAI Impact Grant is a merit-based grant opportunity which supports the development and implementation of projects geared towards network-building and knowledge-sharing in communities across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada. 20 applicants will be selected to receive up to $2,000 in funding. 💰
Please note that you must be a YLAI Alum to apply. To learn more, access the YLAI Alumni Hub on Canvas! 🔗
📢 Wednesday, Aug 27 at 5PM ET 📅
Save the date for our first #YLAIEntrepreneurs session on AI-powered businesses, U.S. innovation & scaling smart. Explore how U.S. companies and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing the business landscape.
Hear from experts Jon Nordmark & Jonathan Puerta and learn key tips to optimize your business. 📍Grab the link in our bio to join us next week!
We’re excited to announce that the YLAI Professional Development Fund is officially open to YLAI Alumni! Access up to USD $1,000 to support your professional development. This could go toward: 🖥️ Courses or workshops
💡 Conferences or speaking engagements (virtual or in-person)
🪪 Memberships in professional organizations
Please note that you must be a YLAI Alum to apply. To learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply, please review the YLAI Alumni Hub on Canvas.
🚨 FINAL HOURS!
The U.S. Network Builder will connect regional and national partners with entrepreneurial fellows and alumni from 37 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada.
What sets this opportunity apart:
✅ Funding for a year-long partnership (Aug 2025 – July 2026)
✅ Organize and attend entrepreneurial events
✅ Host alumni visits and networking experiences
✅ National reach across East/West Coasts, Midwest, and South
Perfect for organizations ready to:
🎯 Design programming that spans across the United States
🎯 Work with a premier international exchange program
⏰ Applications close at 11:59 PM EDT tonight! Apply now: bit.ly/ylainetworkbuilder
#YLAINetwork #ExchangeOurWorld #YLAI2026
