Dubai teenagers build global economics network reaching 78 countries

Three Dubai teenagers have scaled a school-level initiative into a worldwide economics network, registering a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that now counts more than 5,600 members across 78 countries and operates 41 chapters. Youth Economy Lab (YEL), founded by Year 11 student Joseph Augustine and Year 12 students Yuvraj Vikrant Bharadia and Kabir Pasricha, has also reached an estimated 600,000 people organically and amassed over 5,800 followers on LinkedIn as it expands educational access in economics, finance and public policy.

"What started as an ambitious 90 Day Essay Challenge turned into a globally published, student-written anthology, which then transformed YEL into a genuine movement," said Yuvraj Vikrant Bharadia, YEL's co-founder and chief executive. "Students shouldn't have to wait until university to take economics seriously. We decided to take all of that and make it free."

From classroom project to recognised nonprofit

The founders say YEL was conceived to close what they describe as a gap in secondary-school economics education, where many opportunities are often gated by university prerequisites and high programme costs. Led by Bharadia as CEO and Kabir Pasricha overseeing innovation and strategy, the organisation provides free research competitions, investment and business simulations, mentorship programmes and speaker sessions featuring academics, entrepreneurs and senior executives.

• Legal and operational footprint: Registered as a 501(c)(3) in the United States and active through 41 chapters worldwide.
• Scale and engagement: More than 5,600 members across 78 countries; content reach cited at over 600,000 people organically; 5,800+ LinkedIn followers.
• Recognition and partnerships: Selected as a 2026 IB Global Youth Action Fund awardee from more than 3,500 applicants; collaborations with Wall Street Oasis and Microsoft's corporate social responsibility programme.

Kabir Pasricha emphasised accessibility as the project's core value: "The only barrier to getting started should be curiosity." That approach underpins YEL's free model and partnerships designed to expand students' access to professional networks and educational resources. Collaborations with organisations such as Wall Street Oasis and Microsoft’s CSR arm aim to connect participants with industry tools, mentorship and practical learning opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach for secondary-school students.

Context: UAE's wider entrepreneurship landscape

The emergence of YEL coincides with sustained momentum in the UAE's startup ecosystem. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said the country now hosts more than 1,600 technology startups and accounts for about a quarter of the region's tech startup market, which he valued at nearly $4 billion. The environment has seen growing investment in sectors including artificial intelligence, financial technology and green technology—factors that create demand for early-stage talent and practical education in economics and related fields.

YEL's founders say the project's combination of free programming, global chapters and industry partnerships positions it to supply a pipeline of informed, policy-aware students into university programmes, internships and early careers. With international recognition already secured and a chapter network spanning 78 countries, the organisation is poised to expand its competitions, simulations and mentorship offerings while seeking further collaborations to scale access and deepen impact.