Investing in the Next Generation of Young Entrepreneurs
LemonTree helps young entrepreneurs transform bold ideas into successful businesses through micro-grant funding, mentorship, and access to a supportive community of innovators.
Every great company started with one idea and one person who believed in it.
Every Great Business Starts With a Seed
Every world-changing company began with a simple idea and someone willing to take a chance on it. Today, thousands of talented young entrepreneurs have innovative ideas but lack the funding, mentorship, and opportunities to bring them to life.
LemonTree was created to become that first believer. We invest in young founders, provide mentorship, and help transform bold ideas into businesses that make a lasting impact.
From Idea to Impact in Five Steps
Every successful business starts with one opportunity. Our simple five-step process helps young entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into thriving businesses—and inspires them to empower the next generation of founders.
- Submit a Pitch: Record a 2-minute video pitch through the online Pitch Portal — no business plan jargon required.
- Board Review: A peer + mentor panel scores each pitch on need, feasibility, and community impact.
- Get Funded & Matched: Approved founders receive their grant and are matched with a finance-professional or alumni mentor.
- Grow: As ventures show traction, they can unlock the next funding tier — and founders mentor the next cohort.
- Pay it Forward: Founders help mentor next generation on young entreprenurs
Who We Support
LemonTree empowers young entrepreneurs ages 12–18 who have the courage to dream, the determination to build, and the passion to make a difference. Whether you’re launching your first business, developing an innovative product, or creating a social venture that benefits your community, we’re here to help turn your idea into reality.
Selected businesses receive LemonTree grants ranging from $50 to $500, along with mentorship, guidance, and encouragement from a student-led review board and experienced professionals. As their ventures grow, they become part of the LemonTree community where today’s founders inspire and support tomorrow’s innovators.
If your idea can make a difference, LemonTree wants to help you take the first step.
What Makes LemonTree Different
More Than a Grant. A Launchpad for Future Leaders.
LemonTree is more than a grant program, it’s a launchpad for the next generation of entrepreneurs. We combine youth-focused seed funding with mentorship from experienced professionals, practical finance and entrepreneurship education, and a supportive community that grows alongside every founder. Our mission doesn’t end with helping young entrepreneurs launch their first venture. As they succeed, they are encouraged to mentor, inspire, and invest in future founders, creating a continuous cycle of innovation, leadership, and impact.
We don’t just invest in businesses, we invest in young people with the courage to build them.
The LemonTree Funding Ladder
Growing entrepreneurs from their first idea to lasting impact
Every successful business starts with a single idea. LemonTree’s Funding Ladder is designed to support young entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. As founders achieve new milestones, they can become eligible for additional funding, mentorship, and recognition helping them grow their businesses while inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Seed Grant
Funding: $50 – $200
Perfect For: First-time founders with a new business or social venture idea. Funds can be used for materials, prototypes, websites, branding, or first inventory.
Branch Grant
Funding: $200 – $350
Perfect For: Founders who have launched, generated early sales or measurable impact, and are ready to grow. Funding supports marketing, equipment, inventory, software, or expansion.
Lemon Grant
Funding: $350 – $500
Perfect For: Proven youth-led ventures with consistent sales or strong community impact that need capital to reach the next level. Funding can support hiring, production, technology, or entering new markets.
Be Part of the Next Generation of Innovation
Every successful entrepreneur starts with someone who believes in their potential. Whether you’re a young founder with a bold idea, an experienced professional eager to mentor, or a supporter who wants to create opportunities, there’s a place for you at LemonTree.
Together, we can help young entrepreneurs turn ideas into businesses and businesses into lasting impact.
Partner With Us
Collaborate with LemonTree to expand opportunities for young innovators
They Started Young. So Can You.
One Idea. One Opportunity. A Lifetime of Impact.
Every successful entrepreneur started with an idea and someone who believed in them. These inspiring founders began their journeys as young innovators and, through mentorship, funding, and determination, built businesses that changed industries and communities. Their stories remind us that age is never a barrier to creating meaningful impact.
Founder, Simulate
Ben created his first successful mobile app while still in high school in Australia. His early success attracted investors and mentors, allowing him to later found Simulate, a food technology company focused on sustainable products.
Impact
- Started building apps at age 15
- Raised millions in venture funding
- Built a company available in major U.S. retailers
- Recognized as one of the youngest venture-backed founders
Lesson
Early opportunities can launch a lifetime of innovation.
Founder, Dell Technologies
Michael Dell began buying and upgrading computers while still in high school. At age 19, he started his business from his University of Texas dorm room with $1,000 in startup capital. Early customers and supporters enabled him to grow Dell into one of the world’s leading technology companies.
Impact
- Started entrepreneurial activities in high school
- Launched Dell at age 19
- Initial capital: $1,000
- Built one of the world’s largest technology companies
Lesson
Big companies often begin with small ideas and someone willing to take a chance.
Founder, Summly
While still in high school, Nick developed Summly, an app that summarized news articles. At age 15, he raised approximately $300,000 from prominent investors. Two years later, Yahoo acquired the company for an estimated $30 million.
Impact
- Raised funding at age 15
- Seed investment: ~$300,000
- Acquired by Yahoo at age 17
- One of the youngest tech entrepreneurs to achieve a major acquisition
Lesson
Age should never limit great ideas or ambitious founders.
Founder, Me & the Bees Lemonade
Started selling lemonade at age 4 after being inspired by her great-grandmother’s recipe and a desire to help protect bees. At age 11, she secured a $60,000 investment from Daymond John on Shark Tank, which helped expand her business into major retailers including Whole Foods.
Impact
- Founded at age 4
- Shark Tank investment: $60,000
- Products sold in thousands of retail stores
- Donates a portion of profits to bee conservation
Lesson
A simple idea, combined with mentorship and early funding, can grow into a nationally recognized brand.
Founder, Mo's Bows
At age 9, Moziah began sewing bow ties with help from his grandmother. He appeared on Shark Tank at age 12 seeking investment. Although he didn’t receive funding, Daymond John became his mentor, helping him grow the company into a nationally recognized fashion brand.
Impact
- Started at age 9
- Mentored by Daymond John
- Products featured by major retailers
- Secured an NBA licensing partnership
Lesson
Sometimes the right mentor is even more valuable than the first investment.
Founder, SuperJam
At age 14, Fraser started making jam using his grandmother’s recipe. With early mentorship and support, SuperJam grew into a nationally recognized brand sold in major UK supermarkets, making him one of the country’s youngest successful entrepreneurs.
Impact
- Started at age 14
- Mentored by his grandmother
- Products sold in thousands of UK supermarkets
- Founded the SuperJam Tea Parties, raising thousands of pounds for charities
Lesson
Great businesses often begin at home with a simple idea, encouragement from a mentor, and the courage to start.
Frequently Asks Questions
Do I need a business plan?
No. A two-minute video and honest answers to the application questions are all we ask. If you have a plan or a deck you can attach it, but it will not score you higher.
Do I have to pay the grant back?
No. A LemonTree grant is a grant, not a loan — no repayment, no interest, no debt. We ask instead for the Pay It Forward Pledge: within a year, help a founder in the next cohort. It is a promise of honour, not a contract.
What if my venture fails?
Then you will have learned something that cost you nothing and would have cost you a great deal at thirty. We ask for an honest write-up of what happened, and you remain welcome to apply again. Some of the most useful stories we publish are about ventures that stopped.
Who reviews my application?
A board that is majority students, aged 14–18, with adult mentor reviewers on every cycle. Three people score each pitch independently before anyone discusses it, using the published rubric above. Reviewers who know you must recuse themselves.
What can I spend the money on?
Anything that moves the venture forward — materials, inventory, a domain, printing, software, equipment, licences. Not personal expenses, and not anything you cannot show a receipt for.
Can I apply more than once?
Get involved
Be the first person who believed in someone.
Whether you are a founder with an idea, a professional with an hour a month, a school with students who need this, or someone who wants to fund the next grant — there is a place for you here.
Can I apply more than once?
Yes. If we say no you will get written feedback explaining what would make it a yes, and you can apply next cycle. If we say yes, you can apply for the next tier up once you have shown traction.