Young Americans Center for Financial Education celebrated the accomplishments of Colorado youth business owners at the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars award ceremony and gala, presented by CoBank. This annual event was held virtually Thursday, October 1. Beyond sales and customers, it’s clear that these entrepreneurs have gained much through business ownership and will continue to excel, thanks in part to a year-long mentorship with a Denver business …
Ryder Matz, the 11-year-old owner of Ryder’s Riches LLC, started out the year strong. He worked with his mentor Leroy Williams, Founder and CEO of CyberTeKIQ, to create a business plan. He acquired a new gumball machine, effectively doubling his Travelling Gumball Machines that spend time visiting shops and restaurants in the Lafayette, Louisville, and Boulder area. The Town of …
Denver Startup Week went virtual this year, and young entrepreneurs were thrilled to take part! This year’s YouthPass events included a Pitch Challenge on Monday, September 14 and a Maker Track panel discussion on Tuesday, September 15. When two teen entrepreneurs competed in Denver Startup Week’s Pitch Competition last year, few expected that they would take home the Grand Prize, …
Young Americans Center for Financial Education is so pleased to introduce the third presenting mentor in our 2020 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition: Raju Patel, Senior Vice President, Denver Market President, and Market Executive, Global Commercial Banking at Bank of America. One lucky winner of this year’s 19th annual event will work with him throughout the coming year to …
Event follows last year’s grand prize win by teen entrepreneurs When two teen entrepreneurs competed in Denver Startup Week’s Pitch Competition, few expected that they would take home the Grand Prize, an award worth $100,000. Their win surprised and delighted the crowd and has inspired a new group of young entrepreneurs. For a second year, Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain and Young …
When Yard Boyz won Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars in 2019, owner Jack, then 17, was astounded. A few years ago, he didn’t really consider his “gig” a business—he just mowed a few lawns every week for neighbors and friends. Now, after seeing Yard Boyz grow roughly 400 percent this season, there’s no denying that this isn’t just a business, it’s …
Three winners of the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition gain a cash prize and something even more valuable: a pairing with a Denver-area business leader to help guide and improve their business. For this 19th annual event, one lucky winner will be paired with Jena Hausmann, President & CEO of Children’s Hospital Colorado. Hausmann pursued the health administration field …
Hannah Reyes, the 13-year-old owner of HER Designs, has operated her business for five years now. Her best-selling product is a fabric rosette hair clip, but she also creates mini-personal safety alarms that use the same signature flower. In the wake of COVID-19, Hannah expanded her product line to include masks. “I realized that I have the resources, materials and …
Each year, the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition pairs three Denver-area business leaders with three up-and-coming youth entrepreneurs. The first mentors we are highlighting for this year’s 19th annual event are Bob and Judi Newman, retired business leaders and pillars of the Denver community. Both Bob and Judi held long, successful careers in the computer industry and software development. …
For a second summer, YouthBiz is partnering with Read More Co for their Stay F.R.E.S.H.™Entrepreneur Program. This eight-week session is great for teens who already have a business, are thinking about and want to start a business, or are completely new to the concept of entrepreneurship. Virtual sessions take place on Thursdays this summer from 12:00-1:30pm and only cost …