Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
By Judy Parsons
4-H Youth Development Agent
Young business owners from across the state have been competing in Youth Entrepreneurship Challenges (YEC) to qualify for the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge (KEC) held at Kansas State University on Thursday, April 17, 2025. These business owners are in 6th -12th grades and are either running their own businesses or have a business concept they would like to pursue.
Local YEC contest winners across the state earned positions to compete for cash prizes at the KEC as well as youth applying for 15 Wildcard Entries. Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge competitors each submitted an Executive Summary which is a written business summary including details of how the business intends to operate. It is similar to a business plan, but usually shorter, covering much of the same information in a summarized format. Each competitor also submits an Elevator Pitch Video which provides a brief overview of the business leaving the audience excited to learn more. The Executive Summary and Elevator Pitch Video was submitted April 1st. These were judged and given scores a few days before the actual day of the event.
On April 17, 2025, all business competitors came to the Kansas State University Union to set up a booth with their information in a trade show and also give Mock Board Room presentations in person to the event judges. The business were judged in different categories and cash prizes given out.
Three 4-H youth from Seward County competed with their business, Wovenique, at the Liberal YEC contest placing third. They submitted a Wildcard Entry and were accepted to compete at the KEC contest. Esther, Elizabeth and Hannah Phan placed 1st in the Exemplary Division.
