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of Founders
Celebrating the
Next Generation
THE ASCENT AWARDS FINALE
An unforgettable finale to the market where we recognize standout young entrepreneurs for their creativity, leadership, and real-world business success.
THE HIGHEST HONOR OF THE DAY
The Future Founder
of the Year Award
$500
BUSINESS GRANT
Awarded to one outstanding your entrepreneur
who demonstrates excellence in product, branding, customer experience, and overall business execution.
To invest back into their business and continue growing what they've built.
HOW THE
Future Founder
is chosen
of the year
The Future Founder of the Year is awarded to the young entreprenuer who demonstrates the strongest overall business performance across the entire market experience.
JUDGING IS BASED ON A COMBINATION OF:
Business Execution
How well their business is set up, presented, and operated throughout the event.
Product Quality & Value
The strength, creativity, and market readiness of what they are selling
Brand & Presentation
A cohesive, thoughtful brand brought to life through signage, packaging, and booth design.
Customer Experience
Confidence, communication, and the ability to engage and serve real customers.
Initiative & Ownership
Preparation before the event and how independently they run their business during the day.
This award recognizes the young entrepreneur who not only had a great idea-
but brought it to life as a real, fuctioning business
This isn't just a market - it's a real business experience. Our awards celebrate the work these young entrepreneurs have already put in before arriving, and the confidense, growth, and leadership they demonstrate throughout the day. In addition to our top honor, we celebrate standout achievements across multiple areas of business. These awards highlight the unique strengths of each young entrepreneur and recognize excellence in specific categories throughout the market.
Best Brand
Best Product
Best Customer Experience
Most Creative
Business
For the most cohesive and visually compelling business.
For quality, creativity, and outstanding execution.
For standout interaction, communication, and service.
For originality and innovating thinking.
Every young entrepreneur will also receive a participation award
as a recognition of their hard work, preparation, and courage to show up and run a real business
A HIGH-ENERGY OUTDOOR
Awards Experience
Held at the conclusion of the market, our awards take place in a lively, outdoor setting - surrounded by the same energy, excitement, and community that made the day unforgettable.
Young entrepreneurs are recognized in front of their peers, families, and customers, making it a moment they'll never forget.
Because building something real deserves to be recognized
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