Our story
New York: Where It All Began
It all started in 1982, when Steve Mariotti, an entrepreneur from New York, was mugged in Central Park by a group of young people. The experience deeply affected him but also inspired him. He realized that these young people had talent and untapped potential.
In 1987, Steve founded the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). An organization to teach vulnerable young people the fundamentals of entrepreneurship NFTE America was a huge success and even became a case study at Harvard University. Today, the NFTE network operates worldwide.
In 1998 werd Steve’s idee overgenomen door Belgische bedrijfsleiders die jonge kanszoekende Belgen van dit programma wilden laten genieten. NFTE Belgium, nu YouthStart Belgium, werd in 1998 gelanceerd. Belgium became the first European country to offer this unique program. Over more than 24 years, YouthStart has grown into an organization that now trains 1,000 young people each year. All are between 16 and 30 years old, with little or no qualifications and without a job. After completing the YouthStart program, the vast majority of them become (re)activated and take real steps toward their future.
Steve Mariotti passed away on October 20, 2024.
His legacy will live on through the young entrepreneurs and successful business founders he inspired and encouraged throughout his life.
YouthStart in Numbers
896
of youth who joined our trainings & programs in 2025
14087
of youth who have taken part in our training between 1998 and 2025
79
Certified coaches who are part of the YouthStart team in 2025
138.977
Training sessions launched on youthstart.be in 2025
86
Sponsors who financially support YouthStart in 2025
96
Trainings and programs organized across Belgium in 2025
59
%
of youth (re)activated immediately after training
67
%
of youth (re)activated 6 months after training
208
of youth who received individual support after training
