About Us | YFS

Our Story - From An Idea To Reality

The YFS Story

Young Founder Summit (YFS) is a unique 3-day entrepreneurship competition for high school students (grades 9-12) aspiring to be entrepreneurs. No prior knowledge is needed. YFS provides hands-on workshops, mentorship, and real-world business experience. YFS is more than an event—it’s an experience that must be lived to truly understand its value. With India’s startup ecosystem booming, YFS encourages students to collaborate and develop compelling business ideas. Our hour-long Bootcamps in schools inspire over 7,000 students, challenging them to create business ideas in 10 minutes! Today, the YFS community includes 370+ young founders from 6 countries, 30+ cities, and 65+ schools. Teams of ideators and co-founders work together to research, innovate, and pitch their business models to a jury that includes angel investors. YFS has also garnered media attention, featured in print, radio, and television. The Summit has transformed students’ educational experiences, with over 300 attendees on the final day, including industry experts, investors, educators, and parents. More than 90% of students and parents stated that YFS “exceeded expectations” and provided “the best 3 days of learning and fun.”

Accomplishments

Co-chair - TIE University 2024-25

Co-chair - TIE Women 2023-24

Action & Governance Board Member - TOC

International Certified Career Coach

Co-chair - TIE Young Entrepreneurs 2022-23

1st Runner Up - TIE Women Global Pitch Competition

The Founder

Navya Mehta is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington- Kelley School of Business, a top 10 Business School in the USA. She is an International Certified Career Coach as well as a College Counsellor. She has mentored and guided more than 300 students in the US and India. Navya is the Founder and Director of College Smart and Young Founder Summit (YFS). Through College Smart, she aims to help students make smarter choices about their career and college and guide them in applications and scholarships to top universities globally. She has also designed one of North India’s most prestigious competitions- Young Founder Summit, a 3 day intensive competition for high schools students to get an experience of the practical world. Through the program, high school students have received funding for their ideas.

Accomplishments

Action & Governance Board Member - TOC

International Certified Career Coach

1st Runner Up - TIE Women Global Pitch Competition

Co-chair - TIE Young Entrepreneurs 2022-23

Co-chair - TIE Women 2023-24

Co-chair - TIE University 2024-25

Schools Present At YFS

We are proud to host a diverse range of schools, bringing together bright minds from across the country and beyond. This diversity enriches the experience, fostering collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of unique perspectives that empower students to grow as future leaders.

Allenhouse Public School, Khalasi Lines, Kanpur

Alliance International School

Apeejay School, Jalandhar

Bhavan Vidyalaya Scale, Chandigarh

Billabong High International School

Cambridge School, Amritsar

Carmel Convent, Chandigarh

DAV Model School

DAV Public School Sec-8C, Chandigarh

DPS, Ludhiana

Delhi Public School, Gandhinagar

Delhi Public School, Kalyanpur, Kanpur

Delhi Public School, Ludhiana

Doon International School

GDG School Kanpur

Gurukul Global School Sec-13

Gurukul Global School, Manimajra

Hope Hall Foundation School

Indus Valley Public School

International Sahaja Public School

Jayshree Periwal International School, Jaipur

KB DAV

KC Public School

KVM, Ludhiana

Lal Bahadur Shastri Sr. Secondary School, Kota

Learning Paths School Mohali

Manav Rachna International School, Mohali

Mayor World, Jalandhar

Oakridge International School, Mohali

Prudence School, Delhi

RIMT World School

Rayat Bahra International School

Ryan International School

SVN School

Sacred Heart Convent School

Sacred Heart Ludhiana

Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh

Sat Paul Mittal School, Ludhiana

Satluj Public School

Satluj Public School Sector 4, Panchkula

Seth Anandram Jaipuria School

Shanti Niketan Vidyapeeth

Shemford School

Shri Guru Gobind Singh Collegiate Chandigarh

Shri Ram Public School, Kanpur

Sir Padampat Singhania Education Centre

Smart Wonder School

Solitaire International School , Panchkula

Springdale School Amritsar

St John’s High School

St Luke’S Sen Sec School Solan

St. George's College, Mussoorie

St. Kabir Public School, Chandigarh

St. Stephen's School

Strawberry Fields High School

Swaraj India Public School

The British Coed High School

The Doon School

The Indian Heritage School

The International School of Bangalore

The Learning Paths School

The S.D. Vidya School Ambala Cantt

Ullens School, Nepal

Vivek High School Chandigarh

Woodstock School Mussoorie

YS Public School, Handiaya

Yadavindra Public School, Mohali

The Founder

Accomplishments

Action & Governance Board Member - TOC

International Certified Career Coach

1st Runner Up - TIE Women Global Pitch Competition

Co-chair - TIE Young Entrepreneurs 2022-23

Co-chair - TIE Women 2023-24

Co-chair - TIE University 2024-25

International Certified Career Coach

Co-chair - TIE Women 2023-24

Co-chair - TIE University 2024-25

1st Runner Up - TIE Women Global Pitch Competition

Co-chair - TIE Young Entrepreneurs 2022-23

Action & Governance Board Member - TOC

career and college and guide them in applications and scholarships to top universities globally. She has also designed one of North India’s most prestigious competitions- Young Founder Summit, a 3 day intensive competition for high schools students to get an experience of the practical world. Through the program, high school students have received funding for their ideas.