Let’s give a round of applause to Julian Page, a student at the South LA Best Buy Teen Tech Center (SLABBTC), for winning first place at the 2022 Union Bank Youth Entrepreneurial Challenge (YEC)! His idea around NFT’s captivated the judges and earned him a $2,000 prize. And get this, he was coached by none other than our own Thai Buckman, the Program Coordinator at the SLABBTC, for 16 weeks leading up to the big day.  

To top it off, all participants were given a surprise $200 from Union Bank just for presenting at the event, and another SLABBTC student won an additional $250 from a randomizer! 

The YEC is an annual event hosted by Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC) that brings together the brightest and most innovative young minds in South Los Angeles. The competition not only gives young entrepreneurs a chance to showcase their businesses but also promotes academic improvement, builds personal character, social skills, team building, and cultural appreciation and tolerance.  

The event is similar to the popular show Shark Tank, where a panel of expert judges selects the winners for monetary prizes. It’s a great opportunity to show your support for our youth and their budding businesses while promoting community economic development. 

The fun resumes this month! We’re excited to announce that the 2023 Youth Entrepreneurial Challenge is coming up on April 29, 2023. So, mark your calendars and join us virtually to support our hard-working and brilliant SLABBTC students and other students in the community who will be competing this year. Stay tuned for updates on website!