Empowering Future Innovators: The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
Nurturing entrepreneurial talent encourages kids to think creatively, rewards innovation and sets Kansas up for a bright future. The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge embodies these beliefs by giving Kansas students a platform to flex their business acumen and show off their ideas.
Bailee Henry is the manager of community programs at Network Kansas, which coordinates the YEC Series.
“The YEC Series is a string of locally organized youth entrepreneurship competitions that culminate in a statewide championship,” she explains.
Launched in the 2013-2014 academic year in northwest Kansas, the YEC Series started as local entrepreneurship fairs and has since evolved into a statewide competition. Today, over 50 local events lead up to the annual Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge at Kansas State University.
The YEC Series aims to spark entrepreneurial spirit among students in grades six through twelve. Participants present their business ideas or ventures, ranging from theoretical projects to real-world businesses, like an existing lawn-mowing service or an idea for a downtown boutique.
“The goal of the YEC Series is really to show students that entrepreneurship is a viable career path. Most people recognize and celebrate the entrepreneurs on a super large scale, but we want to show them it’s possible to achieve this on a local level too,” says Bailee. “And even if they don’t become business owners, skills like thinking outside the box are valuable.”
The statewide KEC competition, in partnership with the K-State Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship and K-State Research and Extension, brings together top competitors from regional events. Winners and standout wildcard entries compete for additional prizes, gaining experience in presenting their business plans and networking with peers and judges.
How to Apply for the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
The journey begins with local competitions, where students can participate individually or in teams of up to four. Entry requirements vary by local competition, but most include an executive summary and business plan. Whether the business already exists or remains in the idea phase, students should be prepared to answer questions about their venture.
Winners of every regional competition qualify for the statewide KEC. To participate, winners of local events must submit an executive summary. If a student can’t enter a local competition or if their community doesn’t offer the opportunity, they can apply as a wildcard, which entails a video submission in addition to an executive summary.
Last year, 58 local events led to 81 students (including wildcards) competing at the state level.
The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge
At the final KEC competition hosted at the K-State Student Union, students compete in three mock boardrooms and an optional trade show where businesses with goods can showcase their wares in person.
“It’s amazing to see the things these kids come up with,” says Bailee. “I’m always in awe after seeing their creations. The trade show is especially fun, because they get to network with each other.”
In addition to interacting with other entrants, trade show participants get to display their offerings to the public. Hosting the event in the K-State Student Union means students, professors and other visitors get the chance to see the booths. KEC takes advantage of this fact by asking everyone who attends to vote in a special People’s Choice Award category, which is awarded at the end of the event.
Prizes and Recognition
KEC offers various prizes. Last year, approximately $80,000 in prizes was awarded. For the sake of awards, contestants are split into two groups: existing businesses and conceptual plans. Last year, top teams in each category received $2,500, and finalists earned $1,700.
“Everyone who made it to KEC received something,” Bailee says. “We want to reward the efforts, so even if an entry didn’t earn a top rating, they’ll leave with some kind of financial recognition.”
Looking Ahead
Whether you’re a community member hoping to host a local competition in your area or a student interested in applying, here are important dates for next year’s competition:
November 15, 2024: Deadline for communities to apply to host a sanctioned YEC Series
Find the online application here
March 24, 2025: Cutoff for sanctioned local YEC Series competitions to be held
March 24, 2025: Deadline for Wildcard entries to apply for KEC State Championship
March 24, 2025: Deadline for local YEC Series winners to register for KEC
April 17, 2025: KEC State Championship
We look forward to seeing what young Kansas entrepreneurs bring to the competitions next year!
