The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge (KEC) is sponsored by the Kansas Masonic Foundation and Kansas Masons in partnership with Kansas State University and the Network Kansas Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) Series to promote entrepreneurship and small business development in Kansas. The competition is for student created, managed, and owned ventures.

Individuals or teams of no more than four students may submit a concept. No person can be a member of more than one team. Teams must present in-person or virtually at the KEC finals. Team members who do not present at the KEC finals will not receive prize money.   Each component of the competition will be scored using a simplified scoring system where judges will score the components according to a rubric. Students will submit:

• Executive Summary & Video Pitch
• Mock Board Room

Executive Summary & Video Pitch (to be scored by judges prior to competition day)

The Executive Summary & Video Pitch will be scored by judges prior to the competition day. Judges will take the following into consideration when assigning ratings:

• Market Opportunity – Clear market need presented, with the ability & plan to capture it
• Management Capability – Founder / team demonstrates ability to effectively grow company
• Business Model – viability to grow a profitable business
• Product / Service Offering – customer focused solution with a clear value proposition

Mock Board Room (only High School Division finalists assessed on competition day)

Successful entrepreneurs are adaptable, critical thinkers, and creative problem-solvers. The format of the Mock Board Room is designed to help teach and reward these skills in aspiring entrepreneurs. Based on a review of the executive summary and video pitch, KEC judges and staff will provide a list of questions to the participants designed to reflect the real-world challenges and decision-making requirements of entrepreneurs. During the Mock Board Room, the students will have time with KEC judges within to answer these questions and any additional follow-up questions asked by the judges.

• The Mock Board Room is closed to the public.
• Time begins when the presenter begins speaking.
• Teams are not allowed to use a slide presentation (ex. PowerPoint). Prototypes, props, index cards, etc. are allowed.
• Presenters will be able to reserve a time slot on a first come, first serve basis once finalists are announced. The scheduling link will be provided in announcement email to finalists.
• There will be no guarantee of confidentiality. Presenters are encouraged to avoid speaking about topics or items that should remain confidential.

Mock Board Room Scoring

Judges will take the following into consideration when assigning ratings:

• Entrepreneurial Characteristics
  • Realistic – answers were feasible, realistic and aligned with company’s means
  • Justification – ample justification given using quality data, analysis, and critical thinking
  • Specificity – responses were specific, detailed, and action-oriented
  • Originality – solutions were creative and original

Website: https://cba.k-state.edu/academics/departments/center-advancement-entrepreneurship/ks-entrepreneurship-challenge.html

Managing Organization: Kansas Masonic Foundation and Kansas Masons

Contact:

Eligibility:
Students must be enrolled in a Kansas middle school, high school, high school equivalent, or University during the semester the competition is held.

The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge (KEC) is sponsored by the Kansas Masonic Foundation and Kansas Masons in partnership with Kansas State University and the Network Kansas Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) Series to promote entrepreneurship and small business development in Kansas. The competition is for student created, managed, and owned ventures.

Individuals or teams of no more than four students may submit a concept. No person can be a member of more than one team. Teams must present in-person or virtually at the KEC finals. Team members who do not present at the KEC finals will not receive prize money.   Each component of the competition will be scored using a simplified scoring system where judges will score the components according to a rubric. Students will submit:

• Executive Summary & Video Pitch
• Mock Board Room

Executive Summary & Video Pitch (to be scored by judges prior to competition day)

The Executive Summary & Video Pitch will be scored by judges prior to the competition day. Judges will take the following into consideration when assigning ratings:

• Market Opportunity – Clear market need presented, with the ability & plan to capture it
• Management Capability – Founder / team demonstrates ability to effectively grow company
• Business Model – viability to grow a profitable business
• Product / Service Offering – customer focused solution with a clear value proposition

Mock Board Room (only High School Division finalists assessed on competition day)

Successful entrepreneurs are adaptable, critical thinkers, and creative problem-solvers. The format of the Mock Board Room is designed to help teach and reward these skills in aspiring entrepreneurs. Based on a review of the executive summary and video pitch, KEC judges and staff will provide a list of questions to the participants designed to reflect the real-world challenges and decision-making requirements of entrepreneurs. During the Mock Board Room, the students will have time with KEC judges within to answer these questions and any additional follow-up questions asked by the judges.

• The Mock Board Room is closed to the public.
• Time begins when the presenter begins speaking.
• Teams are not allowed to use a slide presentation (ex. PowerPoint). Prototypes, props, index cards, etc. are allowed.
• Presenters will be able to reserve a time slot on a first come, first serve basis once finalists are announced. The scheduling link will be provided in announcement email to finalists.
• There will be no guarantee of confidentiality. Presenters are encouraged to avoid speaking about topics or items that should remain confidential.

Mock Board Room Scoring

Judges will take the following into consideration when assigning ratings:

• Entrepreneurial Characteristics
  • Realistic – answers were feasible, realistic and aligned with company’s means
  • Justification – ample justification given using quality data, analysis, and critical thinking
  • Specificity – responses were specific, detailed, and action-oriented
  • Originality – solutions were creative and original

Website: https://cba.k-state.edu/academics/departments/center-advancement-entrepreneurship/ks-entrepreneurship-challenge.html

Managing Organization: Kansas Masonic Foundation and Kansas Masons

Contact:

Eligibility:
Students must be enrolled in a Kansas middle school, high school, high school equivalent, or University during the semester the competition is held.