Celebrating Colorado’s Top Youth Entrepreneurs
Join us on Thursday, October 2, 2025 for this annual business competition and fundraiser that supports financial literacy education and experiential entrepreneurship learning opportunities that reach nearly 60,000 youth every year!
This annual gala is the culmination of Colorado’s largest annual competition for young business owners (ages 6-21). A premier event, Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars recognizes the incredible achievements of young entrepreneurs operating real businesses with real customers and real profits.
Each year we scour the state for creative and motivated entrepreneurs. An independent judging panel evaluates the applications based on the execution of their business plans. The judges select one winner and two finalists in each age category who are announced at the event.
Finalists and winners receive a check to help them further their business goals. Additionally, winners receive the special opportunity to be paired with a Presenting Mentor, a distinguished entrepreneur or businessperson dedicated to furthering the success of tomorrow’s business leaders.
Contributions to Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars benefit the educational programs of Young Americans Center for Financial Education.
Sponsorships are available for the 2025 event!
Sponsorship details will be available soon! In the meantime contact Grace White for more information:
303-321-2265 or gwhite@yacenter.org.
Congratulations to the 2024 winners and finalists:
16-21 Age Category
Winner
Deals Flow
Shouken Lopez (21)
Congratulations to the 2024 Rising Business Award winner:
This year’s Rising Business Award winner is David Fales (18), owner of Code Crafty.
David Fales is a tech enthusiast and businessman at heart. He started his business when he built a website for the company he was working for at the time. They gave him a big enough check that he started his business Code Crafty that now builds websites for all different types of Companies.
Now David is taking on a new project called Alias by Code Crafty meant to help businesses grow their online presence using AI and an all-in-one, easy-to-use software. They hopes to take this and make it a software that the world uses.
Tap Caps – Aiden Newman-Brown
Zing Soaps – Jackson Renberg
Deals Flow – Shouken Lopez
Business Applications – Apply and WIN!
Are you looking to take your business to the next level?  YouthBiz Star winners can earn up to $5,000! Applications for the 2025 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars Competition are now open.
2023 PRESENTING MENTORS:Â
Richard Linton, Jr.
President & COO
Empower
Veena Dandapani
Chief Client Services Officer
Pagaya Technologies
Mike Katz
Market President
KeyBank in Colorado
These business leaders are currently mentoring the three winning youth entrepreneurs, offering insights and helping them grow their businesses. This group of kids is ready!
Interested in doing your part to give back and grow Colorado’s business talent? Â Learn more about becoming a Presenting Mentor here. Â Thank you for your interest in inspiring the next generation!
