Kansas high school students with business ideas have a chance to pitch and win up to $1,000 at Pittsburgh's first event, the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, scheduled for Feb. 28.
This event is hosted at Block22 by the Pittsburgh State University Small Business Development Center and CBW Bank in collaboration with Network Kansas E-Community Partnership.
The goal is to introduce high school students to entrepreneurship. SBDC Director Dasia Clark said doing so could have a lasting impact on their future career paths.
E-Community Program's Bailey Henry said the competition allows students to “gain hands-on experience as an entrepreneur and begin to deepen their connections with the local business community.”
“Students are empowered through this process and begin to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career option,” Henry said.
Pittsburgh is one of many Kansas communities hosting local contests this year. Students must create a written business plan or brief, create a “trade show” booth, and give an elevator pitch or presentation.
Participants will compete for cash prizes provided by CBW Bank, with first place awarded $1,000, second place $750, third place $500, and Judge's Choice and People's Choice each receive $250. Two prizes of $1.00 will be awarded.
A panel of judges made up of local entrepreneurs, public sector partners, teachers and other adults will evaluate the students' work. The public is encouraged to attend a poster board session from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Block 22 conference room and vote for the People's Choice awards.
The top students from each regional competition across the state compete for cash prizes and other honors. The 2024 state championship will be held on April 16th at Kansas State University.
