Call for youth business owners to apply for Colorado's largest business competition

DENVER - April 5, 2016 - PRLog -- Young Americans Center for Financial Education, a Denver-based nonprofit that develops the financial literacy of youth and young adults through hands-on, real-life experiences will host the 15^th annual Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs: Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars, Colorado's largest business competition for youth business owners. Applications are now being accepted online at the Young Americans Center for Financial Education's website. Youth business owner's ages 6-21 are encouraged to apply by June 5, 2016. Finalist and winners receive cash prizes, $250-$1,000, to use towards operating or improving their business. Winners are paired with a successful business person, a presenting mentor, to help guide their business strategy.

Independent judges, including business people and educators will select a winner and two finalists in each of the three age categories, 6-11; 12-15; 16-21. The young entrepreneurs will be honored at an evening gala, sponsored by CoBank.  The event takes place at Denver's Seawell Grand Ballroom on September 22.

All youth business owners should apply. A wide variety of product and service base entries are typically submitted. Age, experience, growth, creativity, development and idea viability are taken into consideration by the judges. Questions about the application process should be directed to Maura McInerney at 303-321-2265 or mmcinerney@yacenter.org.

Applications are accepted via an online platform, and should be submitted by June 5, 2016. Apply at www.yacenter.org.

About Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs: Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars

Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs is Colorado's largest competition for youth business owners. This premier event recognizes the incredible achievements of young people who are operating real businesses with real customers and real profits. Each year we scour the state for creative and motivated entrepreneurs, ages 6-21. 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 celebration. Finalists and winners receive a check to help them further their business goals. Additionally, winners receive the very special reward of being paired with a Presenting Mentor, a distinguished entrepreneur or businessperson dedicated to furthering the success of tomorrow's business leaders.

About Young Americans Center for Financial Education

Young Americans Center for Financial Education is a nonprofit organization committed to developing the financial literacy of young people, up to age 22, through real life experiences and hands-on programs. Young Americans Center fulfills its mission by offering programs that complement and reinforce each other to build life skills, work skills and financial self-sufficiency. These include Young AmeriTowne, International Towne, YouthBiz, Money Matters classes, summer camps, and more. In addition, Young Americans Center houses the only real bank in the world for young people, Young Americans Bank, which shares the same educational mission of teaching children to be financially responsible. Since 1987, more than 675,000 youth have participated in the programs or bank. For more information on the Young Americans Center for Financial Education, visit www.yacenter.org.