2026 State Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC)

State YEC is sponsored by Kansas State University Extension in partnership with the Kansas State University Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship and the Network Kansas Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) Series to promote entrepreneurship and small business development in Kansas.  The competition is for student created, managed, and owned ventures. It is a premier entrepreneurship competition in the state of Kansas.

For more information visit the YEC State Website.

2026 State YEC Winners:

Exemplary Conceptual

BrainQuest - Daniel D. (Douglas County)

Hopkins Custom Swathing and Baling - Layton H. (Greeley County) 4H Member

Lyne Dental & Associates - Ashton L. (Lincoln County)

Match Made -Gabby P. (Phillips County)

PhonoFlow - Madelyn S., Benjamin S. (Crawford County)

Polished Panels - Marshall Z. (Saline County)

Poultry Provisions - Brady C. (Republic County) 4H Member

Talk That Talk - Zoey B. (Barton County)

Tranquil Treasures - Mara F. (Stafford County) 4H Member

Triple M Lawns - Mattias M. (Ellis County)

Dawn to Dusk - Faith S. (Ellis County) *Wildcard 4H Member

Fidget Fusion 3D - Kole M. (Pawnee County) 4H Member

gingerdoesnailz - Ginger W. (Labette County)

GrassMasters Lawn Co. - Landen W., Sam M., Brenton B. (Chautauqua County)

Hipp & Hem - Emily H. (Ellis County) *Wildcard

Infinite Bounce - Milo S., Eli K. (Mitchell County) 4H Member

Nussbaum Farm and Kitchen - Allie W. (Edwards County) 4H Member

Printed Brasswork Innovations - Andrew L. (Cherokee County) *Wildcard 4H Member

The Cozy Mug - Gabrielle P. (Cheyenne County)

Wicked Good Cleaning - Kylie B. (Pottawatomie County)

Fruta Fiesta Designs - Aaliyah G. (Rice County)

Green Waves Lawn Solutions LLC - Aaron C. (Leavenworth County)

Katie's Car Freshies - Katie A. (Wabaunsee County) *Wildcard 4H Member

Made To Liv, LLC - Olivia C. (Lincoln County) *Wildcard

Maple Leaf Lawn & Landscape LLC - Max B. (Miami County) 4H Member

Molly Makes - Molly H. (Lincoln County) *Wildcard 4H Member

Peck Scrubs - Noah P. (Saline County) *Wildcard

Royal Ice Shaved Ice - Conrad C. (Wabaunsee County) *Wildcard

Twisted Treasures - Madison M. (Montgomery County)

WildScat - Adairrius V. (Labette County) *Wildcard 4H Member

Arbor Art - James P. (Phillips County) *Wildcard

Dream Palette Face Painting - Ava M. (Chase County) 4H Member

Dusty Rose - Molly H. (Morris County)

Flourish Microgreens - Jacob B. (Cherokee County)

GG Junkyard Farms - Gage B., Grady B. (Norton County) *Wildcard 4H Member

Issa's Sweet Treat's - Claryissa H. (Wyandotte County)

Maxwell Kids Farm to Table - Grayson M. (Pawnee County) *Wildcard 4H Member

Taste of Gold - Josie W. (Anderson County) *Wildcard 4H Member

The Green Oasis - Austin C. (Wabaunsee County)

Vivian’s Slime - Vivian R. (Anderson County) *Wildcard

1st Place People's Choice - Dusty Rose - Molly H. (Morris County)

 2nd Place People's Choice - Gage B., Grady B. (Norton County) *Wildcard 4H Member

3rd Place People's Choice - Katie A. (Wabaunsee County) *Wildcard 4H Member

4th Place People's Choice - IB Western Supply - Ian B. (Douglas County) *Wildcard

5th Place People's Choice - Molly H. (Lincoln County) *Wildcard 4H Member

Most Innovative - Infinite Bounce - Milo S., Eli K. (Mitchell County)

Sustainability Hero - IT Timeless - Isaac T. (Rooks County)

Best in Branding - Green Waves Lawn Solutions LLC - Aaron C. (Leavenworth County)

Best in Ag -Taste of Gold - Josie W. (Anderson County) *Wildcard 4H Member

Tech Trailblazer - Fidget Fusion 3D - Kole M. (Pawnee County) 4H Member

YEC State will occur over two days this year, we are excited to continue to grow the YEC Series alongside our partners to continue to provide the premier youth entrepreneurship competition in Kansas! 

March 24th - Submission deadline for YEC Winners (here) and Wildcards (https://goventuredash.com/competitions/772)
April 3rd - Wildcard winners announced
April 27th - Mock Board Room questions are released
April 28th - Design Challenge, Welcome Reception, and Tradeshow at Midwest Dream Car Collection
April 29th - YEC State at Kansas State University Student Union
*Each entity or individual will be required to provide a W-9 and photo release form before receiving any prizes!

Students will also have the opportunity to participate in an optional Tradeshow that will take place the evening of April 28th at the Midwest Dream Car Collection!

KEC Prep Course in preparation for the event. Each student selected to compete at the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge who has successfully completed and turned in the exercises will receive a Certificate of Completion and an additional $50 in prize money.

New in 2026, IN PERSON Wildcard Competitions
April 7th - Fort Hays State University (Sign Up Link: https://goventuredash.com/app/competitions/856)
April 7th - Pittsburg State University (Sign Up Link: https://goventuredash.com/competitions/861)

2026 Schedule
Tuesday, April 28th
12:30 PM - Student Check-In for CAPS facilitated Design Challenge
1:00-4:00 PM - CAPS facilitated Design Challenge 
4:00-5:00 PM - Tradeshow Check-In
5:30-7:30 PM - YEC State Tradeshow at Midwest Dream Car Collection

Wednesday, April 29th 
7:30 AM  - Student/Judge Check-In
8:15 AM - Student Welcome/Keynote
8:45 AM - Judges Welcome
9:30 AM - Mock Board Rooms begin
12:00 AM - Lunch Break
12:45 PM - Entrepreneurship Game
2:00 PM - Award Ceremony