Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge provides hands-on experience, chance to win cash prize

Douglas County is seeking applications for the 2023-2024 Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge! The event will be 8:30 a.m.-noon Friday, Feb. 16, at The Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center, 2920 Haskell Avenue, in Lawrence.

The competition is open to students who are in grades 6 through 12 and reside in Douglas County. The event consists of preparing an executive summary, giving an elevator speech and formal presentation, and having a trade show display. Students compete for $3,000 in prize money. The students’ work is judged by local entrepreneurs, teachers, and community leaders. The deadline to submit an application is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2.

This will be the sixth year for the Douglas County event. During past competitions, students have pitched businesses that offer swimming lessons, resale clothing, jewelry, baked goods, pet sitting, and more.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is sponsored by Network Kansas, Douglas County, and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. Douglas County is one of many communities across Kansas to host an event designed to give students a hands-on entrepreneurship experience. Douglas County’s first-place winner will get the opportunity to compete in a statewide competition and earn more prize money and honors.

“The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is one of the coolest events Douglas County gets to be part of each year. I love that we can help showcase local youth who are endlessly creative and who have neat ideas to share,” said Douglas County Commissioner Shannon Reid, who has served as a judge for the local event.

For more information about the Douglas County YEC, please contact Assistant County Administrator Jill Jolicoeur at jjolicoeur@dgcoks.gov or call 785-330-2890.