Official Rules and Terms

The Youngpreneur 40

Effective July 14, 2026

The short version. The Youngpreneur 40 is an annual list that honors forty entrepreneurs, age 40 and under, chosen by an independent panel on a published scorecard. It is a merit program, not a random drawing and not a popularity vote. Nominations are free. Honorees receive a feature, a written profile, a digital honoree seal, a printed certificate, and a branded honoree gift. No purchase is necessary. The full official rules are below.

1.Sponsor

The Youngpreneur 40 is run by Business Key Solutions, LLC, doing business as Youngpreneur, PO Box 56, Saint George, SC 29477 (the Sponsor). The Sponsor operates shopyoungpreneur.com.

2.No purchase necessary, free to nominate

No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to nominate, to be considered, or to be named. Nominating is free and a purchase will not affect selection.

3.Eligibility

A candidate must be 40 years of age or younger as of January 1 of the class year.
A candidate must have founded or currently lead an active business, brand, or venture, which may be a product, service, nonprofit, or creative venture at any stage.
Open to candidates who are legal residents of the United States only. Void where prohibited.
A candidate under 18 must be nominated with a parent or legal guardian who provides consent on the minor’s behalf.
Judges, and employees and contractors of the Sponsor, and their immediate family, are not eligible to be named as honorees.

4.Nomination period and key dates

Nominations for the inaugural Class of 2028 are open now and are reviewed on a rolling basis. Nominations close October 1, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern, the class is selected during a set review window, and the Class of 2028 is announced in February 2028. All times are stated in Eastern Time. The program page carries the current schedule, which is part of these rules by reference. The Sponsor may adjust dates and will post any change.

5.How to nominate

Nominate through the official form on the Sponsor’s website. You may nominate yourself or someone else, and both are considered on the same footing. Provide the information the form requests along with any supporting links. Nominating is free. Duplicate nominations for the same candidate are merged into one profile.

6.Judging and selection

An independent panel scores each eligible candidate on a published scorecard: Traction and Impact 30 percent, the Business 25 percent, Trajectory 25 percent, and Leadership and Character 20 percent.
Each judge scores independently, and scores are averaged so no single judge can decide a result.
Judges recuse themselves from scoring any candidate they are connected to.
Candidates are considered across tracks so the class represents a range of fields.
The panel deliberates, claims are verified before anyone is finalized, and selection decisions are final.

7.Recognition

Each honoree receives a feature and a written profile in the annual Youngpreneur 40, a digital honoree seal for their own use, a printed certificate, and a branded honoree gift.
The certificate and gift have an approximate combined retail value of $65.
There is no cash prize. Recognition is not transferable. Any taxes on the certificate or gift are the recipient’s responsibility.

8.Honoree obligations and consent

Before being named, each honoree signs a participation and consent agreement. A parent or legal guardian signs for an honoree under 18. The agreement permits the Sponsor to use the honoree’s name, likeness, statements, story, and business information in the list and its promotion. Nothing is published before this consent is in hand.

9.Accuracy, ownership, and publicity

A nominator confirms that the information submitted is accurate and that they have the right to submit it. Honorees grant the Sponsor a license to use their name, likeness, statements, and business information to present and promote the list. Any logos or photos are used only with permission.

10.Privacy

Information collected is used to run the program and is handled under the Youngpreneur Privacy Policy. It is not sold.

11.Conditions and removal

The Sponsor may decline or remove any candidate who provides false or misleading information, does not meet eligibility, or whose conduct conflicts with the program’s mission. The Sponsor may modify, pause, or cancel the program if needed to protect its integrity.

12.Release and limitation of liability

To the fullest extent allowed by law, participants release and agree not to hold liable the Sponsor and its owners, affiliates, judges, and partners for any claim, injury, loss, or damage arising out of the program or the recognition. Everything is provided on an as is basis, without warranties of any kind.

13.Governing law and disputes

These rules are governed by the laws of the State of South Carolina, without regard to conflict of law rules. Any dispute relating to the program will be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in South Carolina, and by taking part you agree to that jurisdiction.

14.General

Void where prohibited. If any part of these rules is found unenforceable, the rest still apply. The Sponsor’s failure to enforce any part is not a waiver of it.

15.The class list

Each class is published on the Sponsor’s website. Questions may be sent to 40@shopyoungpreneur.com.

16.Changes to these rules

The Sponsor may change, update, or replace these rules at any time, with or without notice. The version posted here is always the current one, and continuing to take part after a change means you accept the updated rules. Material changes will be noted with a new effective date.