Nomination Form for Baylor’s Young Entrepreneur Awards Is Open

Media Contact: Eric M. Eckert, Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-1964
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by Jessie Jilovec, student newswriter, Baylor University Media and Public Relations

WACO, Texas (April 1, 2019) – The Baylor University John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Baylor Young Entrepreneurship Award.

The program honors outstanding high schoolers who are young entrepreneurs.

“Participation in this competition can be a pivotal moment for these innovative students as they receive encouragement and guidance for their entrepreneurial dreams,” said Priscilla James, M.B.A., John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise program manager. “In addition to networking with fellow entrepreneurs from across the nation they receive valuable feedback for their companies.”

During the event, students connect with Baylor faculty and local entrepreneurs. They make final presentations in front of an audience of their families, judges and Baylor faculty and staff. The group tours McLane Stadium and Baylor’s campus.

The top three winners receive cash awards of $2,000, $1,000 and $500, respectively. All award winners and finalists will receive recognition, mentoring and trophies at the on-campus event.

All nominees will be contacted by program staff and encouraged to submit a Baylor Young Entrepreneur application and video. A panel of judges will review the submissions. The top 10 finalists are invited to Baylor to showcase their business and compete for the cash awards.

James said the 2017 Young Entrepreneurship Award first-place winner and serial entrepreneur, Brennan Agranoff, has reached over $1 million in sales with his company HoopsSwag. Agranoff has been featured in major media outlets around the world including CNN, Forbes, ABC, Dailymail, U.S. News & World Report and Galileo TV in Germany. Madi’s Munchies, by Madi Smyser, won second place in 2018. Her snacks are available at several Austin area restaurants and shops, and she has been featured on the Rachel Ray show and in the Austin Woman Magazine.

Requirements for the award include:

• Must be a high school student during the 2019-2020 school year.
• Must have established a business that currently generates revenue.
• Student must be the main owner and operator of business.
• Business can be located anywhere in continental United States or online.
• Student must be nominated by July 8, 2019 (Nominations may be made by oneself, family, friends, school administration, etc.)
• Student must submit company information by Friday, Aug. 30, 2019.
• Student and chaperone must be able to attend live awards event on Thursday, Nov. 14 and Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 at Baylor.

For more information, email Priscilla James at Baylor_YEA@baylor.edu .

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.