Y.E.S. Competition
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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 2024-25 Competition Guide
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**
*Decided after Round 1
**Must be present at Expo Day
Cash prizes are awarded at the following levels for each of these categories.
| First Place | $200 to teachers | $100 to each student team member |
| Second Place | $150 to teachers | $75 to each student team member |
| Third Place | $100 to teachers | $50 to each student team member |
| Fourth Place | $50 to teachers | $25 to each student team member |
New this year! The Top 25 finalist teams will receive $100 per team and $25 for the teacher/mentor.
Upcoming Dates
October 1, 2024 | Team Application Window Opens in YouNoodle
November 17, 2024 | Business Plans Due in YouNoodle
December 12, 2024 | Top 25 Finalists Announced (Virtual)
February 28, 2025 | Expo Day at Park Plaza Mall in Little Rock
YouNoodle
The YouNoodle competition database is used to register teams, upload and submit business plans, and for judging. Teachers must use the link provided each fall, which is specific to the Arkansas competition.
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!
CONGRATULATIONS 2024-25 WINNERS!!
Click here for a PDF listing of the 2024-25 Winners
2024-25 Top 25 Teams
The top 25 teams from the first round of judging created a retail booth, pitched their business ideas, and sold their products at Park Plaza Mall in Little Rock during Expo Day on February 28, 2025.
Click here for a PDF listing of the top 25 teams from the 2024-25 competition.
Click here to view more photos from Expo Day on February 28, 2025.
