The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge Play Video

Kansas Entrepreneurship ChallengeSupporting Student Entrepreneurs in Kansas

The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge (KEC) is sponsored by the Kansas Masonic Foundation and Kansas Masons in partnership with Kansas State University (KSU) and the Network Kansas Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) Series. The annual program provides holistic business support for young entrepreneurs that are Kansas high school or university students and includes a business idea competition involving financial prizes to launch startup businesses.

The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge

The program has mentoring opportunities with community business leaders, as well as access to financial prizes. The “challenge” is held at KSU and is intended to provide support for young entrepreneurs in Kansas as they start and grow businesses.

2023 Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge

Our Brothers at the Kansas Masonic Foundation are proud to sponsor this year’s Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business. This statewide student entrepreneurship competition will feature high school and collegiate teams from across the state, with $75,000 in prize money awarded to student entrepreneurs!

When: April 20, 2023, at 10:00 AM
Where: Kansas State University Student Union

Additional Information
Kansas Masonic Involvement

Over the last five years, more than 1,500 students have been impacted through $100,000 provided to launch startup businesses. In addition to the possible growth of business in Kansas through this program, students benefit from:
- Improved academic performance, school attendance and educational attainment.
- Increased problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Improved interpersonal relationships, teamwork, money management and public speaking skills.
- Enhanced social psychological development (self-esteem, ego development and self-efficacy).
Kansas Masonic Involvement

The Kansas Masonic Foundation and Kansas Masons sponsor the KEC, and Kansas Masons often mentor teams from local high schools and universities while high school students are “sponsored” by local lodges.

What People Are Saying

“The Kansas Masonic Foundation was looking for scientific, educational and charitable endeavors. This one was a great marriage of getting into the communities while supporting our educational endeavors. When we found out about the entrepreneurship program, it was a great match for us.”
Rick Reichert, Trustee Kansas Masonic Foundation

“People did not see us as a real business, but now we have the credibility and can say we have won this competition. People will take us more seriously now.”
Alexis Ralston Competition Winner

“I feel amazing. I couldn’t be more excited, especially because it is going to allow me to start getting samples and screening technology. This is the first step toward helping someone in a tangible way.”
Jonathan Griffin Competition Winner