There's a fresh face at the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center (ECC) in Hillsborough County, and it's targeting a crowd that's often overlooked by Silicon Valley. The center, typically a hub for a diverse range of enterprises, is now welcoming Year Up United, a national organization with the aim to bridge the opportunity gap for young adults aged 18-29 by providing them with free job training, according to hcfl.gov.
Year Up United began its first week of 2026 at the ECC, offering classes twice weekly with 35–50 students each. The program includes internships with companies like Bank of America, Deloitte, and New York Life, along with educational stipends for participants during training.
The ECC in Ybor City provides entrepreneurs with mentorship, resources, and connections tailored to their business needs. With Year Up United joining, the program expands the opportunities available within this entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Year Up United aims to close the opportunity gap by giving young adults the experience and support needed for higher education and careers, with the ECC collaboration marking a new step in this mission.
With dozens of ECC partners already in place, the program expands access to careers in Application Development, Banking, and Customer Success. This benefits both participants and the ECC, strengthening its role as an inclusive center for entrepreneurial growth.
