Youth Ent Summit

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Y.E.S. 2026 wrapped up with an incredible Pitch Day and a powerful reminder that the future is in good hands.

This year, more than 70 youth joined us for four transformational days focused on Emotional Intelligence, Financial Literacy, Communication, and Entrepreneurship. The summit culminated with our pitch competition, where we awarded over $8,000 in prizes and seed capital to help young entrepreneurs take the next step in their journey.

Our first-place contestant took home $2,500 and absolutely wowed both the judges and the audience with their vision, confidence, and ex*****on.

One of the highlights of the week was our Entrepreneur Expo, where students connected with professionals representing more than 25 different industries. Time and time again, entrepreneurs told us they were surprised by the quality, depth, and thoughtfulness of the questions being asked by these young leaders.

The talent, curiosity, and courage we witnessed this week give us tremendous hope for what lies ahead.

To every student, parent, volunteer, speaker, mentor, sponsor, and supporter: thank you for believing in the next generation.

The future is bright, and we can’t wait to see where these young entrepreneurs go next.

Day 3 at Y.E.S. 2026 was all about Communication.

Our young entrepreneurs stepped onto the stage, shared their ideas, and pitched their businesses as we narrowed the field down to our final 6 contestants.

One of the highlights of the day was learning how to use their voice as an instrument from our vocal instructor. His ability to engage, inspire, and create immediate transformation is truly remarkable.

Communication is one of the most valuable skills an entrepreneur can develop. Whether you’re pitching an idea, leading a team, or building relationships, your ability to communicate can open doors and create opportunities.

What an incredible day of growth, confidence, and breakthroughs. Tomorrow, our finalists take the stage one last time as they compete for seed capital and prizes in the Y.E.S. Pitch Contest.

Day 2 Recap: Financial Literacy – Know Your Numbers

Today was all about understanding that numbers tell a story.

Just like your heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs help you understand your health, the numbers in your business help you understand the health of your business. Revenue, expenses, profit, customers, pricing, and cash flow all provide clues about what’s working, what’s not, and where improvements need to be made.

Our youth used AI to help build and refine their business plans, explored their ideas through a financial lens, and learned that passion alone isn’t enough. Great entrepreneurs learn to measure, track, and understand their numbers so they can make better decisions.

We also challenged participants to get honest with themselves. Where are they today? Where do they want to be in one year, five years, or ten years? What numbers would indicate they’re making progress toward those goals?

Many young people are taught to work hard. Today we focused on something equally important: learning how to think strategically and make informed decisions based on data.

By the end of the day, participants walked away with more than just a business idea. They gained a deeper understanding that numbers are not something to fear. They are feedback. They are a scoreboard. They are one of the most powerful tools entrepreneurs can use to turn a vision into reality.

Every successful business knows its numbers. Today, our future entrepreneurs took an important step toward doing the same.

We are excited to introduce our final Pitch Judge for Y.E.S. 2026, Rose Wang, Founder of EUCO, a leading electric transportation company helping shape the future of personal mobility.

As an entrepreneur who has built a successful brand in a rapidly evolving industry, Rose brings valuable real-world experience, innovation, and business insight to our Pitch Competition.

Our youth entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to learn from her journey, gain feedback on their business ideas, and be inspired by what is possible when vision meets action.

Please join us in welcoming Rose Wang to the Youth Entrepreneur Summit! 🚀

EUCO

🚀 Y.E.S. 2026 Day 1 Recap: Mindset Day 🚀

What an incredible start to the Youth Entrepreneur Summit!

Today, our young entrepreneurs discovered that the most important business tool isn’t a laptop, an app, or even a great idea…

It’s their mindset.

Throughout the day, participants challenged themselves through team activities, communication exercises, leadership challenges, and powerful discussions designed to help them move from limiting beliefs to empowering possibilities.

💡 We explored:

* The power of mindset and personal responsibility
* How our emotional state impacts our decisions
* Leadership through teamwork and collaboration
* Confidence in communication
* Building connections with new friends and future business partners

The room was filled with energy, laughter, learning, and plenty of moments where participants stepped outside their comfort zones and discovered what they’re truly capable of.

This is only the beginning.

Over the next few days, these young leaders will continue developing business plans, learning financial skills, strengthening their communication abilities, and preparing to pitch their ideas to real entrepreneurs.

Day 1 is complete. The foundation has been built.

🔥 Day 2: Math Matters & Money.

🎤 Meet One of Our 2026 Y.E.S. Pitch Competition Judges: Darrell Evans

We are excited to welcome Darrell Evans as one of the judges for this year’s Youth Entrepreneur Summit Pitch Competition!

Darrell is the founder of MindShift Digital, a strategic marketing consultancy that helps established businesses generating between $1 million and $50 million in annual revenue scale through smarter marketing strategies. Over the past 14.5 years, Darrell and his team have helped hundreds of business owners stop guessing at their marketing and start implementing systems that consistently generate leads, sales, and measurable results.

In addition to leading MindShift Digital, Darrell hosts the MindShift Podcast, leads the MindShift Inner Circle community for growth-minded business owners, and serves as a Fractional CMO for companies seeking experienced marketing leadership without the cost of a full-time executive.

With 34 years of entrepreneurial experience, Darrell has built his career around a simple but powerful belief: strategic growth should simplify your business, not complicate it.

Our participants will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas in front of experienced entrepreneurs like Darrell, receiving valuable feedback, encouragement, and real-world insights that can help shape their entrepreneurial journey.

Please join us in welcoming Darrell Evans to the Youth Entrepreneur Summit 2026!

A story like hers is exactly why Y.E.S. exists.

So many young people think they need to be more confident, more experienced, more connected, or have everything figured out before they start. Then they come to Y.E.S. and discover something powerful:

They already have what it takes.

We’ve watched teens walk in nervous and unsure of themselves, only to leave with new friends, new skills, a business idea, and a belief in what’s possible for their future.

Her story isn’t unique.

It’s common.

It’s what happens when young people are surrounded by mentors who believe in them, challenged to think bigger, and given a safe place to take action.

If you’ve been thinking about signing up, this is your final reminder.

🚨 Registration closes TONIGHT. 🚨

Don’t let “maybe later” become “I wish I had.”

Join us June 8–11 for four unforgettable days of entrepreneurship, leadership, communication, confidence building, and fun.

The opportunity is here.

The question is: will you take it?

👉 Register before the end of the day and don’t miss out.

What happens when a young person discovers they are capable of more than they ever imagined?

At Y.E.S. (Youth Entrepreneur Summit), we’ve seen shy teens step onto a stage and confidently pitch their ideas. We’ve watched young people who doubted themselves find their voice, build friendships, connect with mentors, and realize that their dreams are not only possible, they are worth pursuing.

Transformation doesn’t happen because someone gives them all the answers.

It happens because they are surrounded by people who believe in them, challenge them, and show them what is possible.

A participant may arrive thinking, “I’m not an entrepreneur.”

They leave understanding that entrepreneurship is more than starting a business. It’s learning to solve problems, communicate with confidence, take initiative, and believe that they can create their own future.

That is the power of Y.E.S.

Not just teaching business.

Helping young people discover they already have what it takes to lead, create, and go after their dreams.

One week can change a life.
One mentor can change a future.
One opportunity can spark a transformation.

And sometimes, all it takes is someone saying, “I believe in you.”