Calling all youth entrepreneurs! Competition planned for February 

Kansas high school students with an idea for a business have a chance to make a pitch and potentially win as much as $1,000 in the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, a first-time event for Pittsburg planned for Feb. 28. 

It will be hosted at Block22 by Pittsburg State University’s Small Business Development Center and by CBW Bank in collaboration with the Network Kansas E-Community Partnership. 

The goal: to expose high school students to entrepreneurship. Dacia Clark, director of the SBDC, said doing so could have a lasting impact on their future career paths. 

Bailee Henry with E-Community Programs said the competition will allow students to “gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience and begin to deepen their connections to the local business community.” 

“Students are empowered through the process and begin to see entrepreneurship as a viable career option,” Henry said.  

Pittsburg is one of the many communities across Kansas that will host a locally organized competition this year. Students are to prepare a written business plan or executive summary, create a “tradeshow” booth, and deliver an elevator pitch or presentation.  

Participants will compete for prize money provided by CBW Bank Member FDIC, with $1,000 awarded for first place, $750 for second place, $500 for third place, and two awards of $250 each going to the Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice. 

A panel of judges of local entrepreneurs, public sector partners, teachers, and other adults will evaluate the students’ work. The public is encouraged to attend the posterboard session in the conference room at Block22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to vote for the People’s Choice award. 

Top students from each local competition across the state will face off against each other for prize money and other honors. The 2024 statewide championship will be held on April 16 at Kansas State University.  

Register: goventuredash.com/competitions/469. 

Additional details: www.networkkansas.com.