About Growing Up CEO

Now in its fifth year, Growing Up CEO celebrates the remarkable achievements of young men and women leading inner city companies across the country and around the world. Each year, twenty-five U.S. and five international outstanding CEOs, all under the age of 21, are chosen as winners of this unique award. As Growing Up CEOs, these young leaders receive an all expenses paid trip to Boston for the Inner City 100 Summit and join a community where they can network, share best practices, and develop new ideas about entrepreneurship. 

ICIC founded the Growing Up CEO program in partnership with Merrill Lynch. These two organizations believe that exposing the young entrepreneurs to successful businesses will set the stage for them to emerge as the next generation of leaders. The goal of the program is to increase the Growing Up CEOs’ chances for success in business and in life by connecting them to Inner City 100 CEOs, business and civic leaders, business development resources, and each other. 

Program Benefits

Growing Up CEO winners are given the opportunity to advance their business excellence by attending the annual Inner City 100 Summit. During their two days in Boston, the Growing Up CEO winners have the opportunity to develop mentor relationships with current and previous Inner City 100 CEOs, who lead the fastest growing inner city companies in the United States. They also access world class business education and strategic advice during the CEO Forum at Harvard Business School, where they attend sessions taught by Harvard Professors including world renowned strategist Michael E. Porter. In addition, the Growing Up CEOs meet national business and civic leaders such as Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino; Randal Pinkett, winner of NBC’s The Apprentice with Donald Trump; and former NFL Wide Receiver Keyshawn Johnson. Growing Up CEOs also receive national attention; former President Bill Clinton recorded a video specifically for the 2006 winners.

In addition, because Growing Up CEOs herald from all corners of the globe, their interactions with one another help them understand the increasingly global context in which businesses operate. This learning transcends anything that could be taught in the classroom and International and U.S. Growing Up CEO winners learn from one another on both a business and cultural level.

Nominating a Growing Up CEO

Do you know a young CEO who might qualify for the Growing Up CEO program? If so, please see the Nominations and Applications tab for more information!