SMSD Student Chamber of Commerce Coaches
Courtney Cavlovic
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Workforce Project Coordinator
Karla Engel
Oak Park Mall
Senior General Manager
Andrew Weisberg
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Director of Talent
Contact SMSD staff for more information.
Do you have questions? Contact our team members at the Shawnee Mission School District and Shawnee Mission Education Foundation to learn more.
Tiffany Dixon, EdD
Shawnee Mission School District
Business Teacher (SM South | SM West)
K-12 Entrepreneur Sponsor
Business Management Syllabus (SM West)
Entrepreneurship Syllabus (SM South & West)
FAQ
Who can participate in the Startup Showcase?
All PK–12 students currently enrolled in the Shawnee Mission School District are eligible.
⚡ Important: Your business or nonprofit must be a real venture that you plan to launch or build.
What type of business ideas are allowed?
We welcome real ventures of all kinds:
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For-profit businesses
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Nonprofit organizations
Whether you are launching now or after high school, your plan must reflect a real-world business or nonprofit you intend to develop.
How does the competition work?
Round 1: Students submit:
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A video presentation
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A short written business overview
Entries are shared publicly for voting and reviewed by professional judges. Top 5 finalists are selected based on public vote and judge ratings.
Round 2: Finalists present live at The Culture House at Oak Park Mall on April 30, 2025 before judges and an audience. Winners receive startup funding and ongoing support to move their real venture forward.
What support is available to student business owners?
All student business owners are connected to professional coaching from:
What will winners receive?
ALL student entrepreneurs will receive supportive connections with Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community.
Showcase finale winners will receive startup funding to support launching or growing their real business or nonprofit.
First Place: $1,100
Second Place: $600
Third Place: $300
How secure is the public voting process during Round One?
We take the security and fairness of the public voting process very seriously.
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Each verified voter is allowed only 3 votes total across all entries.
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Spam emails are blocked through email validity restrictions and traffic monitoring systems.
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While some users may have multiple personal emails, our security protocols and monitoring prevent any significant abuse of the voting system.
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Voting data is regularly audited to maintain the integrity and fairness of the competition.
🛡️ Our goal is to ensure that the public voting process reflects genuine community support, not technical manipulation.
Student entrepreneurs are encouraged to share their business idea widely while knowing that the competition has strong protections in place to keep voting fair and meaningful.
Can younger students participate?
Yes! Elementary and middle school students are welcome to participate.
Younger students should have a teacher, parent, or mentor help them ensure the business or nonprofit is realistically planned and ready for next steps.
How do I submit my presentation?
Submissions open in April. Students will upload:
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Their video presentation
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Their written business overview
What if I need help getting started?
You can:
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Ask a teacher or mentor to guide you
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Reach out directly to the SMSD K-12 Entrepreneur Sponsor at tiffanydixon@smsd.org for assistance
What’s coming next year?
In Spring 2026, the competition will expand to include a regional track open to all students across the Kansas City Metro area, offering even more opportunities for young entrepreneurs to launch real businesses and nonprofits.
