2023 Smith Center Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

This competition gives students an opportunity to develop an entrepreneurial mindset by going through the process of developing a business proposal. Student entrepreneurs will compete in three areas: a written Executive Summary, a Trade Show booth, and a 4-minute Presentation.

There is also the opportunity for teachers, businesspeople, and others to participate as a mentor or judge. Mentors will work with the participants to develop their idea into the business over the next few months. Judges will review materials, take in the trade show booth and presentations, and provide helpful feedback to the entrepreneurs. 

Area donors, NetWork Kansas and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation are teaming up to provide up to $3,000 in cash prizes across several awards. The Dane G. Hansen Foundation removed the financial barrier to communities participating in the YEC Series by granting the sanction application fee as well as providing an allocation of prize funds to each county's event. 

12/1/2022 Deadline to register business in VentureDash
1/2/2023   Participants finalize business owners, mentors, and resources

1/25/2023 Deadline for Judges to sign up

1/30/2023 Deadline for rough draft of Executive Summary to be submitted in VentureDash

2/13/2023 Deadline for the rough draft of 4-minute presentation. 

2/27/2023 Submit Final Executive Summary in VentureDash

3/7/2023   Set up tradeshow booth (after school)

3/8/2023   Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Day begins at 9 am