KIDS ENTREPRENEUR COMPETITION TO SHOWCASE UTAH’S YOUNG STARTUPS

May 6 pitch event for Utah kids and teens competing for $4,000 startup prizes

SALT LAKE CITY; April 21, 2016 — The 2016 KoolKids/Teens Startup Competition is nearing the final stretch. With submissions due April 25 the finalists will soon be selected to pitch at the final judging event on May 6.

Grow Utah, a non-profit fostering entrepreneurship in Utah, with the support of EY, Junior Achievement, MyTechHigh and Tech Trep Academy, has organized the event to recognize, support and reward Utah kids and teens starting their own business. Qualifying businesses can be just about any type of revenue-generating operation as long as the business was up and running by April 15.

Entries submitted through www.ConceptToCompany.org/Kool16  will be asked basic questions about their business such as how they make money, who is the customer, and how they advertise.

Applications will be accepted through April 25. Eight finalists will then be selected to present at the final pitch event on May 6 at Jr Achievement City in downtown Salt Lake.  The event is free and open to the public, however attendees must rsvp at www.KoolKids16.eventbrite.com

“We are very much looking forward to the final event,” said T. Craig Bott, President & CEO of Grow Utah. “Utah is a great state to start and run a company and our younger generation is part of that too.  These courageous kids will take to the stage and show us what they’ve got. I think many will be surprised at how polished these young startups really are,” added Bott.

At the conclusion of the final event, prizes will be awarded to the finalists.  The top winners will share in a cash prize of $4000 while all others will receive valuable gifts and services for competing.

No cost is required to enter the contest or attend the final event. Applications will be accepted throughout Utah until midnight on April 25.

For complete contest rules and to submit an entry, go to www.ConceptToCompany.org/Kool16. To attend the final event, rsvp at www.KoolKids16.eventbrite.com

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About Grow Utah

Grow Utah, is a privately funded, non-profit organization dedicated to accelerate the creation of innovative, entrepreneur-led, high-growth businesses that will strengthen and expand the future growth of Utah’s economy. The vision of Grow Utah is to create a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Utah that fosters entrepreneurial talent, drives innovation to solve market needs, aligns community resources and support, and ensures funding for products, entrepreneurs and businesses of promise. For more information, visit www.GrowUtah.com.