June 27, 2026

Every entrepreneur starts somewhere.

For many JA alumni, that starting point was a JA learning experience that helped them discover the confidence to pursue an idea, the skills to solve problems, and the mindset to create opportunities for others.

Throughout the week leading up to Micro-, Medium, and Small Enterprise (MSME) Day 2026, JA Worldwide celebrated these entrepreneurs through the Because of JA campaign, sharing stories that demonstrate the many paths entrepreneurship can take. Some founders identified opportunities where others saw obstacles. Others used technology to improve education, accessibility, or community development. Many transformed personal passions into businesses that now create jobs, strengthen local economies, and improve lives.

Together, the 21 alumni we’ve profiled this week span more than a dozen countries and industries, but they share a common thread: entrepreneurship is about far more than starting a business. It is about building solutions, serving communities, creating opportunity, and inspiring the next generation to believe they can do the same.

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) account for the vast majority of businesses worldwide and play a vital role in economic growth, innovation, and employment. Behind every successful enterprise is an entrepreneur willing to take the first step, embrace uncertainty, and keep learning along the way. This MSME Day, we celebrate every JA alumnus who has turned an idea into action, every business creating a positive impact, and every young person preparing to shape the future through entrepreneurship.

Explore the full Because of JA entrepreneur series below. Read all of the stories on Gather Alumni and discover how JA alumni continue to build businesses that strengthen communities around the world.