TxEE Young Entrepreneur Competition (YEC)

Welcome to the TxEE Young Entrepreneur Competition where bold ideas meet real-world opportunity. Whether you’re in school, working, or hustling on your own path, this competition is designed to give young entrepreneurs (ages 27 or younger) across Texas the chance to launch, showcase, and scale their ideas.

Who can Enter?

• Any Texan between the age 27 or younger

  Solo founders or teams (up to 10 members)

• No college enrollment required - just vision, grit and creativity

What are we looking for?

• Innovative ideas with potential for real impact

• Ventures that solve problems in communities, industries or everyday life

• Passion, feasibility, and the ability to pitch clearly

Timeline

1. Application Opens – Submit your idea summary & team info
   

2. Workshops & Mentorship – Access optional training and mentors
   

3. First Round – Written submission & short video pitch
   

4. Finalists Announced – Teams selected to pitch live

5. Final Pitch Competition - Showcase your idea to judges, investors, and ecosystem leaders

Process

Step 1: Submit Your Idea

• Write a 1-page summary (problem, solution, target audience, impact)

• Record a 2–3 minute video pitch introducing your idea
  

Step 2: Develop & Refine

• Attend TxEE workshops (optional but encouraged):

  • Idea Validation – testing if your idea solves a real problem

  • Business Model Basics – revenue streams, costs, and sustainability

  • Pitching with Confidence – storytelling, slides, and presence
    

Step 3: Semi-Final Selection

• Judges review submissions on creativity, feasibility, and impact

• Selected teams move to the finals
  

Step 4: The Final Pitch

• 5–7 minute live pitch + Q&A with judges

• Winners announced & prizes awarded

Ideas to Get You Started

Not sure what to pitch? Here are some areas where young entrepreneurs in Texas can make a big impact:

• Sustainability & Climate – local recycling solutions, energy efficiency tools, water conservation tech

• Community Impact – apps/platforms that connect neighbors, support local businesses, improve access to services

• Education & Career Readiness – skills training platforms, affordable tutoring, AI learning tools

• Health & Wellness – mental health resources, fitness innovations, affordable healthcare access

• Tech & Innovation – apps, fintech, gaming, or AI-driven solutions

• Creative Economy – fashion, music, film, art-based ventures with entrepreneurial models

• Food & Agriculture - food access solutions, urban farming, food waste reduction

Prizes & Opportunities

Cash prizes to help launch or grow your business
Connections to investors, accelerators and partners
Visibility across Texas entrepreneurs ecosystem network
Mentorship from Texas entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders

You didn’t come this far to stop