JA Young Entrepreneur Competition - Statewide

Name: JA Young Entrepreneur Competition - Statewide
Start: 2026-03-09 08:00:00.0
End: 2026-03-17 00:00:00.0
Location: Milwaukee

JA Young Entrepreneur Competition: Statewide

Event Completed!

When: Monday, March 09, 2026 - Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Where: Milwaukee

Time: 8:00 AM CT

JA's Young Entrepreneur Competition is a competition between young entrepreneurs in the State of Wisconsin who are students between 9th and 12th grade that successfully turned a business idea into a reality in the form of a fully operational commercial enterprise. Four applicants will be chosen by our selection committee (the “finalists”) who will compete for a $5000 scholarship and other prizes in a taped television event in Milwaukee, WI.

Student entrepreneurs' grades 9 - 12 who have operated a business since January 2025 are eligible to apply.

Taping for the 4 finalists will take place in downtown Milwaukee on February 27th. Must be present to compete.

This year's event will run March 9th-13th.

The winner will be announced on Friday, March 13th.

Congratulations!

Ethan Eriksen was the 2026 Grand Prize Winner and received a $5,000 Scholarship! Ethan was also the 2026 Viewer's Choice Winner and received a $500 cash prize!

Meet the Finalists

Congratulations to Wisconsin's Young Entrepreneur Competition finalists!

Meet the Judges

We have some of Wisconsin's most successful entrepreneurs joining our event as celebrity judges!

Meet the EMCEE

This event is hosted by FOX6 Milwaukee News Anchor, Mary Stoker Smith!

Watch the 2026 Competition

Become a Sponsor!

Sponsorships for these events are critical for Junior Achievement to continue providing life-changing programs to students in our community. These programs are delivered at no cost to students. You can make a difference in the lives of these students by participating in this world-class event!