Young Entrepreneur Challenge
Schedule
Sat Mar 21 2026 at 09:00 am to 03:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
Midland, TX | Midland, TX
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🚀 Young Entrepreneur Challenge™ 2025Your First Venture Starts Here
On [March 21, 2026], the Young Entrepreneur Challenge™ (YEC™) will showcase the innovation, creativity, and hustle of our community’s next generation of founders.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
About the Challenge
YEC™ is not a school project — it’s real business.
Young Entrepreneurs will: Create a product or service, Develop a brand and marketing strategy, Run their booth independently (no parents allowed to sell), Compete for cash prizes across multiple categories.
Every participant is responsible for their setup, sales, and customer interactions. The experience builds confidence, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills that last a lifetime.
Prizes will be awarded for:
Most Business Potential, Most Creative Idea, & Most Impressive Brand & Presentation
No professional photos or videos are permitted.
All content created for this event is the property of YECâ„¢.
Applications are required and not automatic approval. Once approved, participants will receive a link to finalize payment.
📌 Application Deadline: November 6, 2025
📧 Questions? Contact us at [email protected]
Your First Venture Starts Here.
Blending Ages. Building Wages.
Young Entrepreneur Challenge™ – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Young Entrepreneur Challengeâ„¢?
The Young Entrepreneur Challenge™ (YEC™) is where youth discover what it means to launch a real business. More than a fair, it’s a marketplace where participants create a product or service, develop a brand, and open for customers — with real sales, real stakes, and real recognition.
How many businesses will you accept?
We are accepting up to 100 businesses this year.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Applications must be submitted online. Please submit one application per business. If children or young adults are working together as a team, list all participants within the single application.
What if someone else has the same business idea?
That’s part of the challenge. Market forces decide. If there are two candle makers or two jewelry businesses, it’s up to each entrepreneur to differentiate and win customers.
How will the Challenge be set up?
The event will take place indoors/outdoors with booths. Each business will be responsible for a 10x10 canopy, table, and chairs. Loaners can be made available.
Will electricity be available?
A limited number of booths will have access to electricity. Requests will be handled on a first-come basis.
What are the rules?
Entrepreneurs must manage their booth independently. Parents or guardians are not permitted to sell, promote, or step in for them. Any parent seen conducting sales will disqualify the booth.
Youth are responsible for setup, customer interaction, and transactions.
Applications must be completed by the youth themselves as much as possible.
Who can participate?
YEC™ is open to all youth — public, private, charter, homeschool, or independent. Age brackets and fees are:
Ages 12–18 → $97
Ages 19–25 → $147
What makes YECâ„¢ different?
In 2019, our pilot event drew 125+ applications across six counties and 22 schools. Every participant profited, with most earning more than $600 and one booth surpassing $2,000 in a single day. YEC™ is proven. It’s not a school project — it’s real business.
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Where is it happening?
Midland, TX, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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