Celebrating Colorado’s Top Youth Entrepreneurs

Make plans to join us next year for this annual business competition and fundraiser that supports financial literacy education and experiential entrepreneurship learning opportunities that reach nearly 70,000 youth every year!

WATCH A REPLAY OF THE 2022 SPOTLIGHT ON YOUTHBIZ STARS

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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 2023 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars Competition are open NOW!

Learn more and APPLY!

Highlights from 2022 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars

PRESENTING MENTORS:

Randy Wells, Former Managing Director, RBC Capital Markets
Mark Cordova, Founder/President, Centennial Bolt
Leigh Sullivan, Development Director, Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary

These business leaders will mentor the three winning young entrepreneurs for a full year, offering insights and helping them grow their businesses. This group of kids is ready!

Sponsorships are available for the 2023 event!

View details here and contact Tobin Truslow, Vice President of Development, for more information:
303-320-3245 or ttruslow@yacenter.org.

Distinguished YouthBiz Stars Mentors

Young Americans is honored to have the support of many esteemed leaders of the business community who recognize and encourage the next generation of business owners in Colorado through this event. Past Mentors include:

Michael Barkin, Vail Resorts
Matthew Burkett, The Flyfisher Group
Linda Enstrom, Enstrom’s Candy
John Hickenlooper, Governor
Traci Lounsbury, Workplace ELEMENTS
John Malone, Liberty Media
Curt Richardson, OtterBox
Maureen Tarrant Fitzgerald, Presbyterian/St. Luke’s
Kent Thiry, DaVita

See a full list of Presenting Mentors here.

Sweet Bee Sisters Lily, Chloe, and Sophie Warren with their mentor Traci Lounsbury of Workplace ELEMENTS

Interested in doing your part to give back and grow Colorado’s business talent? Learn more about becoming a Presenting Mentor here. Thank you for your interest in inspiring the next generation!

Congratulations to the 2022 winners and finalists:

6-11 Age Category

Winner

Slime Kings
Nicholas Gray (11)

Finalists

Funny Balloons
Marisa Beck

Kutie’s Create
Jocelyn Eccles

12-15 Age Category

Winner

AnnaMade Design Co.
Anna Brekken (15)

Finalists

One Tidy Day
Julia Diaz

Peopl Planet
Hana Gragus

16-21 Age Category

Winner

Denver SNKRS, LLC
Garrett Eisenman (16)

Finalists

GoodsByGwen
Gwendolyn Plue

Rescue Riders, LLC
Savannah Vermuelen

Congratulations to the 2022 Rising Business Award winner:

This year’s Rising Business Award winner is Willa Wang, owner of Willa Miette Studio.

Willa started drawing pictures of wildlife after a trip to South Africa, and received encouragement from teachers to use her art in different applications. After being disqualified from volunteering for various wildlife organizations due to her age, Willa decided to take matters into her own hands by creating her business, Willa Miette Studios, where she combines her love for art with her love for wildlife.

Willa applies her beautiful artwork to T-Shirts and tote bags. Staff judges were floored by everything Willa has accomplished in her social enterprise.

From using all sustainable materials to donating a portion of her profits to wildlife and environmental conservation organizations, Willa Miette Studios has accomplished total brand alignment in a very short time.