Y.E.S. Competition
Grades 5-8
In 2023, Arkansas Capital Corporation and Economics Arkansas announced a partnership to present the Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase (Y.E.S.), a business pitch competition for Arkansas 5th-8th grade students. There is no cost to enter! The competition is open to all public, private, and virtual schools and after-school, church, or other youth programs.
Arkansas Capital Corporation created the Y.E.S. Competition in 2006 based on the success of its Arkansas Governor's Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition, launched in 2001. Both are designed to provide real-world, hands-on entrepreneur education for our state's future entrepreneurs.
Winning students and teachers/mentors receive cash prizes, certificates, and a 3-D printed trophy for their school or program.
Download the 2023-24 Competition Guide
Upcoming Dates
October 2, 2023 | Team Application Window Opens in YouNoodle
November 6, 2023 | Business Plans Due in YouNoodle
December 1, 2023 | Top 25 Finalists Announced (Virtual)
January 26, 2024 | Expo Day - 2024 Winners Announced (Virtual)
Prize Categories
Awards, trophies, and certificates will be presented to first- through fourth-place winners in these categories:
Best Business Plan
Most Innovative Idea
Best Retail Booth Display
Best Marketing Piece
First Place:
$500 cash prize to teacher/advisor; $100 cash prize to each team member
Second Place:
$300 cash prize to teacher/advisor; $75 cash prize to each team member
Third Place:
$200 cash prize to teacher/advisor; $50 cash prize to each team member
Fourth Place:
$100 cash prize to teacher/advisor; $25 cash prize to each team member
YouNoodle
The YouNoodle competition database is used to register teams, upload business plans, and for judging. Begin by going to the YouNoodle link posted below; this link is specific to the 2023-24 Arkansas competition.
2023-24 Y.E.S. Competition YouNoodle
*Note: Team registration will not open until October 2!
Sponsors

The Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase (Y.E.S.) Competition was started in 2006 by Arkansas Capital Corporation. Thanks to a partnership beginning in 2023, Arkansas Capital Corporation continues to serve as the program sponsor while Economics Arkansas has taken on the programmatic execution.
Thank you!