Great Bend Economic Development and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce welcome Barton County's third annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge this spring. This competition was created to challenge our youth, encourage our business community to partner with and mentor our younger generations, and foster an entrepreneurial spirit. NetWork Kansas holds regional and state Youth Entrepreneurship Challenges as part of its mission in developing entrepreneurship ecosystems throughout Kansas. The partnership with NetWork Kansas allows YEC contestants to use VentureDash, the contestant portal. Great Bend Economic Development and the Great Bend Chamber partner on this competition as both organizations are tasked with strengthening the area’s workforce, and that means nurturing the next generation’s entrepreneurs.
This competition will take place at the Great Bend Events Center on March 8, 2023. All participants will put together a tradeshow presentation of their business idea and share it with the public. They will also present their formal 4-minute presentation to the judges. This year, the competition has grown to include 7th graders through 12th graders. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this event to cheer on our student competitors and show their support for the next generation of business ideas.
After the tradeshow exhibition, the winners will be announced. There is $2500 in prize money to be divided among the top competitors. Third place will receive $500 second place will receive $750 and first place will receive $1000 and the opportunity to continue onto the Statewide competition. Audience members will also have a chance to vote for their favorite and award one competitor $250.
How students can participate
The competition finale is about three months away, so participants are encouraged to get started on their business plans. Students wanting to join the competition can go to the Great Bend Economic Development, Inc. webpage for more information on YEC at www.gbedinc.com/yec. This page holds sample business plans, links to resources on giving presentations, as well as a few of 2022’s contestant interviews. Also, students can join the competition with a link to the VentureDash contestant portal. After a student joins the competition, they will be paired with a business mentor to help them iron-out details, ask them questions, and fine-tune the student’s business plan and presentation.
How the community can participate
The community can help in a few ways, such as a sponsor of the live event, a business mentor, and/or a teacher champion. Depending on the sponsorship level, sponsors can speak to the contestants and community before we announce the winners at our live event and/or have their logo on all marketing materials. As a business mentor, you are matched with a student, to help them with their business plans and 4-minute presentation. Teacher Champions are needed as well, teachers can guide students from inside the classroom and have more facetime with students that may not have heard about the competition.
If you/your business would like more information about sponsoring the live event, being a teacher champion, or becoming a business mentor, please reach out to GBED staff at marketing@gbedinc.comor by calling 620-796-2407.
About GBED (Great Bend Economic Development):
Our goal is to sustain Barton county's long-term economic health and vitality through the retention, expansion, and attraction of businesses and development that enhance property values, increase personal income, and positively contribute to the citizens' quality of life of Barton County.
Great Bend Economic Development leads the charge in creating workforce initiatives to sustain our current employers as well as initiatives that will help to support new employers that move to the community. Employers and jobseekers are encouraged to reach out to GBED with questions and concerns and GBED will either pair you up with a workforce partner to help you accomplish your goals, or work with you one-on-one to create solutions and positive outcomes. Together we will create a strong and sustainable workforce pipeline that will enable us to continue to grow Barton County.
For more information about GBED visit: www.gbedinc.com or call 620-796-2407.
About NetWork Kansas:
NetWork Kansas was established as a component of the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 to further entrepreneurship and small business growth as a priority for economic and community development in the State of Kansas. Backed by more than 500 partners statewide, the NetWork Kansas service promotes an entrepreneurial environment by connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the expertise, education and economic resources they need in order to succeed.
NetWork Kansas facilitates the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem within participating communities through the E-Community Partnership. Contributing factors to successful development include availability of financial capital, support by local leadership and development of educational resources. All of these factors combine to increase entrepreneurial activity in participating towns, leading to increased startup activity, business expansion, job creation and more.
For more information about the Entrepreneurship (E-) Community Partnership, visit www.networkkansas.com/ecommunities or call 877.521.8600.
About the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce:
The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce will promote and improve the business climate in the Great Bend area through its services and partnerships that encourage growth and assist existing members in reaching their business goals while welcoming and connecting with area businesses.
The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce constantly works to be the voice of local business and the visionary advocacy organization for Great Bend and our economic area. We strive to create a business climate that enhances growth and expansion opportunities for existing businesses, while simultaneously attracting new business. We promise to always provide membership opportunities and benefits that offer businesses and members the best value and impact for their investment. Our focus areas are: Advocacy for Business, Community Marketing and Promotion, Investment in Our Future, and Chamber Services.
For more information about the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce visit: www.greatbend.org or call 620-792-2401.