Innovative ideas can become a reality

Great products and services are born from ideas, often starting out in a person’s basement or garage. 

Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development has launched this year's Spring 2026 Young Entrepreneur Tournament for youth aged 12-18. 

The YET incubates ideas that our youth have been thinking about while working alongside experienced business leaders in our community and helps to turn them into reality.

There’s no experience necessary to start this exciting pathway. For example, many people have items, including groceries, delivered to their homes. A youth in the YET program often noticed coming home from school, groceries his parents ordered sitting on the porch in the hot sun. He thought there had to be a better way since both his parents worked.

He designed and built a special, insulated, secure food storage box specifically for groceries that could be locked when closed after the groceries were placed inside to prevent them from spoiling, and keep them cold, using no electricity.

Participants get an opportunity with their peers to win funding that can be used toward starting their new enterprise. The YET also teaches youth how to develop a business plan to deliver want-satisfying products and services to our community while they gain invaluable experience. 

Interested? Apply by February 1st to attend the pre-tournament orientation & ideation session on February 3, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Larimer County Administrative Services Building, 200 W. Oak St., Fort Collins. This session will help participants create and define their business ideas and learn more about the YET. Pizza will be served.

Discover what it takes to make your ideas a business reality in a series of four hands-on, Saturday sessions, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 14, 21, 28, and March 7, 2026, at 200 W Oak St., Fort Collins. Lunch will be provided. 

Apply for the Young Entrepreneur Tournament