2026-2027 YEC Mini Resource Guide

Entrepreneurship Challenge

YEC SERIES Important Dates & Requirements

IMPORTANT DATES NOV 14

MAR 24

APR 06

APR 20-21

Deadline for YEC Series online sanction applications

Cut-off for sanctioned competitions

Regional inperson Wildcard events

YEC State Championship

Wildcard entry deadline for YEC State Winners entry deadline for YEC State

YEC Series Requirements 1. The physical location of the competition must be in Kansas. Competitions may be virtual.

2. Student participants must reside in Kansas; exceptions require prior approval.

3. Competition must be open to at least one high school grade or equivalent, but can also include grades 6-8, if desired. Ex. 7-12th, 9-12th, 10th grade only, or 6-9th grades are all acceptable competition structures.

4. The competition must include a written Executive Summary and a Formal Presentation; additional in-person components optional: elevator pitch, tradeshow, and/or other event.

5. Follow the YEC brand guide on our website: bit.ly/3SdrTsw. The following logos must be included:

Network Kansas, K-State Extension, and K-State Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship.

6. Prizes are not mandatory. Competitions offering prizes typically do not exceed a total of $3,500 in prizes,

and prize structures typically do not exceed $1,500 for first place, $1,250 for second place, and $1,000 for third place. Other examples of prizes may be “People’s Choice Award” or “Banker’s Choice Award”, etc.

7. The competition must apply for a Network Kansas sanction by November 14, 2026, or before the event if held earlier.

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8. Event must occur between August 1, 2026, and March 24, 2027.

9. Competition host must agree to pay a $1,500 sanction fee to Network Kansas; waived for eCommunity organized events. This fee includes access to the VentureDash platform to host your event.

10. A student may compete in only one local event per 2026-2027 YEC Series and may only submit one business concept per competition (Wildcard events exempt).

11. Communities may only organize or participate in one local event per the 2026-2027 YEC Series, unless compelling reasons for more than one competition exist. Prior approval is needed.

12. Fill out summary to ensure students get signed up for YEC State and remain in good standing with Network Kansas.

About, Benefits & eCommunity Requirements About The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) Series is a Network Kansas program. Network Kansas is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Any fees or donations for the YEC Series support program costs. ©Network Kansas, 2027, all rights reserved.

Communities hosting local entrepreneurship competitions can apply for a sanction to join the “Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Series,” leading to a statewide competition (YEC State). To qualify and use eCommunity grant funds (see p. 4), competitions must meet specific guidelines.

Benefits All sanctioned events will gain access to a suite of tools and resources from Network Kansas and KSU, including entrepreneurship videos and a resource kit for planning and hosting a local competition, with full access to VentureDash, a digital tool for planning, organizing, and running a youth entrepreneurship competition with supplemental resources for classroom curriculum. All sanctioned events will earn one guaranteed spot at YEC State to be used by the 1st place business or a first alternate. All sanctioned event participants are encouraged to compete for Wildcard spots for YEC State. Students that participate in the local YEC events will have more direct access to the Regional competitions via our marketing/support systems.

What inspired me most was the chance to step outside my comfort zone and bring an idea to life. YEC provided an opportunity to learn from entrepreneurs, receive valuable feedback, and discover what it takes to build a successful business.

— Zoey Bogner Student Business: Talk That Talk

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Learn more about YEC state

Download the YEC logo pack

eCommunities & Additional Requirements For Network Kansas eCommunities with a sanctioned event, follow these additional guidelines to access eCommunity grant funds (first-come, first-served basis) for event costs. Funds can cover hosting, educational materials, prizes, travel fees, and other related expenses.

1. At least one member of the local eCommunity leadership team and/or financial review board must help organize and/or host the competition. This person will work with their Community Entrepreneurship Professional (see pg. 10) to set up the event.

2. Events must take place within the geographic boundaries of an eCommunity, even if participants from beyond that area are admitted.

3. eCommunities must invite a local or regional public sector business resource partner to participate as a committee member, educational resource, mentor, and/or judge. A great recommendation to fill this role is the local K-State Extension professional in some part of the planning process or invite them to serve as one of the roles previously mentioned. Some additional partners may include KSBDC, SCORE, Kansas Department of Commerce, Certified Development Companies, Kansas Main Street, USDA, City/County Economic Development organizations, or college/university business department instructors.

4. Establish a working group or committee as a subset of the leadership team to organize the event.

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5. eCommunities should include private sector business resource partners as committee

members, resources, mentors, or judges such as bankers, attorneys, insurance, accountants, and entrepreneurs.

6. eCommunities connect students to mentors, which could include leadership team and/or

financial review board members, resource partners, entrepreneurs, bankers, public officials, etc.

Additional Benefits for eCommunity Events • • • • • •

$1,500 sanction application fee is waived for the 2026-2027 Series.

Full access to VentureDash, a digital tool for planning, organizing, and running a competition with supplemental resources for classroom curriculum and event planning.

A $250 prize sponsored by Network Kansas will be given to the school or classroom of the 1st place student.

Access to additional assistance from their regional eCommunity representative to plan and host the event.

A judge will be provided for local event by Network Kansas, if needed.

Access to additional grant funds* to pay for state competition travel expenses, if needed.

TIP: If you have questions about eCommunity related benefits, consult your region’s assigned Community Entrepreneurship Professional, or contact Bailee Henry at bhenry@networkkansas.com.

* eCommunities may use grant funds to pay for part or all costs incurred in hosting a youth entrepreneurship competition that meets the YEC Series qualifications. Grants are issued on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. Funds may only be issued after completing a sanction application. Exemptions to one or more requirements might be granted on a case-by-case basis. Competitions being held outside an eCommunity will not be able to access eCommunity grant funds or other Network Kansas funds to pay for the cost of hosting a competition.

[YEC] not only gives you an opportunity to win prizes and meet so many new friends, but it also develops and refines so many valuable skills that will help you so much in the future with whatever you choose to do.

— Josie Walter Student Business: Taste of Gold

Sanction Form Guide Follow the QR code below to access the sanction form on the VentureDash website.

This application ensures you understand and will follow the rules for local competitions.

It is required for eCommunities to use grant funds (first-come, first-serve) for event expenses. Only sanctioned events can qualify winners for the YEC State Championship.

Note: To complete the sanction application, you must log-in or create an account to fill out the form.

Sanction form link: goventuredash.com/app/series/2300

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Local Entrepreneurship Competitions Overview During the 2025-2026 academic year, Network Kansas eCommunities and non eCommunities held 70 local-level youth entrepreneurship competitions with over 1,200 students as part of the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) Series, culminating in a statewide championship known as the State Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC State).

What is a local entrepreneurship competition?

Communities host locally-organized events (at the county, city, school, or classroom level) that bring students together for the purpose of a hands-on entrepreneurship experience. Typically, local entrepreneurship competitions involve students preparing a written business plan or executive summary, a “tradeshow booth” (similar to a science fair tabletop display), and a pitch or presentation. Then, on a given day, students compete against one another in teams or individually. Students’ work is judged by local entrepreneurs, resource partners, mentors, or other adults. Most successful events are organized through a teacher or school as a classroom project or extracurricular activity, but other groups can be successful at organizing an event as well.

Important Elements • • • • • •

A written executive summary Access to resources, like a teacher or other groups like K-State Extension and 4-H A formal presentation, and may also include an additional oral component of some sort - pitch, interview and/or a tradeshow Competitive process by which students’ work is evaluated/scored Judges - usually members of the community Awards or prizes (whether it’s a 1st place certificate or a cash award; token for participation)

Other • • • • •

Invite other students or the community at large to visit the tradeshow Invite an entrepreneurship guest speaker to talk to students and/or others Seek business owners to mentor students Invite businesses to sponsor the event Share resources with teachers, including the YEC teacher packet

Host Expectations • • • • • • • • • •

Decide the format and other parameters of the event (who, when, where, etc.)

Find a mentor to help and decide how much education you can do on the topic of entrepreneurship Create or find applicable forms (judging forms, business plan outline, etc.)

Decide your budget and how to fund the event (Will there be lunch? Awards? Other expenses?)

Decide how to get students to participate Promote the event! Invite judges, students, businesses, and others to attend Coordinate the event (print documents, organize schedule, find a speaker, etc.)

Run the event on the day of (give instructions, keep schedule on time, tally scores, give awards, etc.)

Send thank you notes and write articles for newsletters, newspapers, etc.

Follow instructions from Network Kansas to coordinate participation at the state level

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16+ WEEKS BEFORE •

• •

Decide who will be involved in the planning process & identify community partnership Determine if the community wants to host a local entrepreneurship competition, set budget, & determine how to fund the competition Meet with school superintendent, and/or teachers and others Determine location, time frame, format, eligibility, and begin discussing logistics

•

Determine if/how education will be a part of the process for students

•

12-16 WEEKS BEFORE

• •

YEC TIMELINE

• • •

School assembly to announce Resource partners & local entrepreneurs speak at school or business class Contact previous year’s winners for progress report, assess interest Contact appropriate teachers &/or school administrators Create sponsorship letter

8-12 WEEKS BEFORE

• • • •

Identify a keynote speaker for event, if desired Create promotional fliers & distribute applications to school/teachers/office/etc.

Mail or e-mail invitations to businesses, resource partners, community members Approach potential sponsors

4-8 WEEKS BEFORE

• • • • •

Create or update judge instructions Find judges Create press release & send to local media Promote the event on social media channels Volunteer in the classroom & connect students with mentors Ensure event is published in VentureDash & invite students

0-4 WEEKS BEFORE • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Submit advertisement or article to newspaper Request State Championship information from Network Kansas Follow-up on invitations/attendance Executive Summaries due Organize students & plan schedule for the day Send follow-up information to speaker with itinerary Assign components to judges in VentureDash Provide instructions to judges in advance, if desired Print certificates Create & print any necessary paper items for the competition table tents, signs, etc.

Post fliers around community Contact school or venue about itinerary Order speaker’s & judges thank you gifts, if desired Arrange refreshments

0-2 WEEKS AFTER

• • • •

Process checks for winners, if desired, & collect tax documents, as needed Gather feedback from participants Article for newsletters, newspaper, etc.

Create thank you cards for judges, speaker, school board, mentors, etc.

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YEC SERIES Q+A What is the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge?

Communities have the opportunity to host local-level entrepreneurship competitions and submit their event to be part of the “Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Series” culminating in an annual state championship. Local entrepreneurship competitions must meet certain guidelines in order to qualify as part of the Series and for eCommunities to be eligible to use grant funds to pay for part or all of the competition.

What are the expected outcomes of this competition?

This competition is meant to expose students to entrepreneurship and build their interest in it, leading students to see building their own business as a viable career path and a way to better their community.

Why/How does this program fit my community’s strategic focus?

Exposing youth to entrepreneurship and helping them develop that mindset can have a deep impact on a community’s future. If only one student is inspired enough to open their own business now or in the future, that’s one more independent business in your community. The more local businesses that open, the stronger the local economy and entrepreneurial ecosystem will become.

How does this program apply to students in middle school, high school?

This competition gives Kansas students experience in the process of making a business proposal.

Exposing young people to entrepreneurship helps them develop an entrepreneurial mindset and allows them to explore entrepreneurship as a viable career option. Students must research, write and submit an Executive Summary. They may also gain experience pitching their idea and answering questions in front of a panel of judges that consists of entrepreneurs, bankers, and investment experts. Participating in this event provides students experience with business planning and public speaking, developing confidence, poise, organizational skills and valuable knowledge for their future. Additional YEC teacher resources: tinyurl.com/yecteacherpacket.

Who would benefit from competing in the YEC Series?

Any student, especially those interested in entrepreneurship or business, would benefit from participation.

Going through the steps of creating a business proposal can help develop their entrepreneurial mindset and set them on the path of one day creating their own business. In addition, students will develop creativity, problem solving, business planning, research skills, organization, presentation skills, and confidence.

Are prizes available to participants?

Prizes are not mandatory. Competitions offering prizes typically do not exceed a total of $3,500 in prizes, and prize structures typically do not exceed $1,500 for first place, $1,250 for second place, and $1,000 for third place. Other examples of prizes may be “People’s Choice Award” or “Banker’s Choice Award”, etc.

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What are the requirements to host a competition?

The physical location of the competition must be in Kansas and the students participating in the local competition must reside in Kansas. The competition must include students from at least one of the following grades (or equivalent): 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th. The competition must include a written Executive Summary following the provided “Executive Summary Guidelines”, that is scored. The competition must include a 4-minute presentation and may include one or more of the following in-person components: tradeshow, oral interview, or elevator pitch. After the eCommunity Leadership team and/or Financial Review Board approve this program for their community, the point person begins to organize the event. This will include picking a time and date, venue, deciding whether or not to cater the event, and recruiting judges and other event staff.

For other organizations outside the eCommunity network, after deciding to host a local entrepreneurship competition, fill out the sanction application, wait for approval, and then begin to organize the event. This will include picking a time and date, venue, deciding whether or not to cater the event, and recruiting judges and other event staff.

What does it cost to host a competition?

For the community, it depends on the cost of any educational aides, total prize money, refreshments, marketing, and the facilities that you choose for the event. A typical community commitment may range between $1,000-5,000. Each community should set their own budget.

Who coordinates the competition?

If the event is being coordinated by a Network Kansas eCommunity, at least one member of the local eCommunity Leadership Team and/or Financial Review Board must help organize and/or host the entrepreneurship competition. This person will work with guidance from their region’s assigned Network Kansas Community Entrepreneurship Professional to set up the event. Often school representatives or other community members are involved in coordinating the competition, in both eCommunities and non eCommunities.

For non eCommunity events, a designated competition host should be identified to lead the competition planning and serve as the liaison with Network Kansas. For events that are not part of an eCommunity, the competition host must agree to pay a sanction fee of $1,500 to Network Kansas if the event is awarded a sanction. If an eCommunity organizes the event, the sanction fee of $1,500 is waived for the 2026-2027 YEC Series as a benefit of the eCommunity Partnership.

Can eCommunities use Network Kansas funds to pay for hosting a competition?

Grant funds will be available to eCommunities on a limited and first-come, first-served basis (actual expenses only). Another way to fund the course is through other grant funding and business sponsorships. Contact your Network Kansas Community Entrepreneurship Professional for assistance and additional information about stipulations for using grant funds to pay for this program.

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NORTHWESTERN REGION

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Christy Preston

Dyelan Reed

cpreston@networkkansas.com 785-269-7625

SOUTHWESTERN REGION

Thomas Eisenbarth

dreed@networkkansas.com 785-275-1280

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION

NORTHEASTERN REGION

teisenbarth@networkkansas.com 785-851-1208

SOUTHEASTERN REGION

WICHITA URBAN

Lea Ann Seiler

Becca Sweaney

Christina Long

Janet Miller

lseiler@networkkansas.com 620-357-5561

rsweaney@networkkansas.com 620-762-2727

christina@cmlcollective.com 316-361-6915

jmiller@networkkansas.com 620-762-1593

SHAWNEE COUNTY

Michael Odupitan

michael.odupitan@omnicircle.org 561-951-4214

DOUGLAS COUNTY & LAWRENCE

Nicole Rials

WYANDOTTE COUNTY

Katie Kimbrell

nicole@knrialsconsulting.com

katie@seedfolkpartners.com

Veronica Alvidrez

veronica@seedfolkpartners.com

networkkansas.com | 877-521-8600 | info@networkkansas.com

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Sample YEC Flyer

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Questions?

Bailee Henry, Manager, eCommunity Programs bhenry@networkkansas.com

networkkansas.com | 877-521-8600