Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

High School Division

• Local Event Winner: The top team from each NetWork Kansas YEC Series sanctioned event automatically qualifies. If the top team is not able to participate, the event organizers may send an alternate team to YEC State. Teams must submit a three-page executive summary of their concept, as well as a signed photo release.
• Wildcard: Up to 15 teams will also be selected for the YEC State through the Wildcard Review.

All submitted work must be the original work of the team members. Any submission that does not meet these requirements will be eliminated.

• YEC and Wildcard submissions are required to include an executive summary.
• Executive summaries format requirements:
  • No longer than three pages
  • At least 10 point font
  • At least .75” margins on all four sides
  • Must be submitted in PDF form
• Wildcard submissions are also required to include a video pitch.
  • Video pitch should be a minimum length of 90 seconds with a maximum length of three minutes. Video pitches should not exceed the three minute time limit.

• March TBD: cutoff for local events, wildcard & local YEC winners entry deadline
• April TBD: wildcard winners announced
• April 28, 2026: YEC State Tradeshow, Design Challenge, Welcome Reception - K-State Alumni Center Ballroom; 5:30pm-7:30pm
• April 29, 2026: YEC State Mock Board Room Competition - K-State University Student Union
        Registration - 7:30 am
        Competition - 8 am - 5 pm

Please note: All submission deadlines are final. Late applications cannot be accepted and deadline extensions cannot be granted for any reason. The YEC State staff encourages each team to submit requirements early so that any technical difficulties can be resolved before the deadline. All submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. (CST) on the due date.

Teams will be judged on the following:

Executive Summary (prior to competition day)

Judges will take the following into consideration:

• Market Opportunity – Clear market need presented, with the ability & plan to capture it
• Management Capability – Founder / team demonstrates ability to effectively grow company
• Business Model – viability to grow a profitable business
• Product / Service Offering – customer focused solution with a clear value proposition

Mock Board Room (on competition day)

Successful entrepreneurs are adaptable, critical thinkers, and creative problem-solvers. The format of the Mock Board Room is designed to help teach and reward these skills in aspiring entrepreneurs. Based on a review of the executive summary and video pitch, KEC judges and staff will provide a list of questions to the participants designed to reflect the real-world challenges and decision-making requirements of entrepreneurs. During the Mock Board Room, the students will have time with KEC judges to answer these questions and any additional follow-up questions asked by the judges.

• The Mock Board Room is closed to the public.
• Time begins when the presenter begins speaking.
• Teams are not allowed to use a slide presentation (ex. PowerPoint). Prototypes, props, index cards, etc. are allowed but must be easily removed from presentation room.
• There will be no guarantee of confidentiality. Presenters are encouraged to avoid speaking about topics or items that should remain confidential.

Mock Board Room Scoring

• Entrepreneurial Characteristics
  
  • Realistic – answers were feasible, realistic and aligned with company’s means
  • Justification – ample justification given using quality data, analysis, and critical thinking
  • Specificity – responses were specific, detailed, and action-oriented
  • Originality – solutions were creative and original
  • Professionalism - student carried themselves in a professional manner
  • Knowledge - student had appropriate amount of business knowledge

Cash prizes for YEC State will be awarded and paid to the legal entity where one exists. If no entity exists then the prizes will be awarded to individual student team members in proportion to the capitalization table or proposed capitalization table submitted. If no capitalization table exists, prize money will be split equally among student team members. Cash prizes will not be paid at any time to non-students outside of an entity. If a non-student holds an equity position as indicated on a capitalization table where there is no entity present, the cash prize will be paid on a pro-rata basis to only the student members listed on the capitalization table. Prize awards may be subject to taxation and are the sole responsibility of the entity or person to whom the awards are distributed.

*Each entity or individual will be required to provide a W-9 and photo release form before receiving any prizes.

*All participants must attend YEC State to receive prize money.

Hotel Blocks TBA

Nominate your teacher for the Educator of the Year Award!

Nomination submission form will be published in spring 2026.