MIAMI, Fla., May 16, 2024 (Globe Newswire) — The global entrepreneurship education nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is hosting the annual Southeast Regional Youth Thirteen student companies were named finalists for the Entrepreneurship Challenge. Young entrepreneurs stand out with innovative business ideas and will present their ideas at the national finals to be held in New York on October 10th, competing for the title of national champion and prize money.
Competitors pitched their unique business concepts to a panel of esteemed judges, including Jean G. Belizere, senior vice president and relationship manager at Banco Santander. Gildas Durand, Principal, Ernst & Young LLP (EY US); Pedro Gomez, Associate Director, Northeastern University Miami Entrepreneurship. Michelle Grillone, Managing Director, Mariner Wealth Advisors; Mr. William J. Osceola, Executive Director, Miccosukee Business Council, Miccosukee Tribe of Florida Indians; and Jessica Vasquez, marketing assistant manager at Dade County Federal Credit Union. They decided to award $1,500 to the first place winner, $1,000 to the second place winner, $500 to the third place winner, and $300 each to the 10 semifinalists.
- First place: morgan shepherd from stevenson high school in dekalb county, georgiaher business idea, MathYourWay, provides tutoring services to students who need additional help to improve their math knowledge.
- 2nd place: jack olson from Fort Lauderdale High School in Fort Lauderdale, floridaused his business idea, SunSkin. It’s a 40-color tone-adjusted opaque acne patch designed to stick to blemishes to brighten skin while helping heal and conceal.
- 3rd place: Nishant Shah, bryce wagner and Gabriel Lopez from carolwood day school in tampa, floridaadopted a business idea called Eco-Vision, an intuitive and adaptive VR software that allows bedridden hospital patients to experience the outdoor world without leaving their hospital rooms.
The following semi-finalists will also participate in the National Challenge:
- Angela Tran of Alonso High School
- Sofia Garcia of Mater Brickell Academy
- Jordyn Cole and Jocelyn Saucedo Valencia of Cypress Creek High School.
- Simonne Kumar of Tequesta Trace Middle School
- Ariana Tilley at Sea Breeze High School
- Carter Tran of Palm Beach Gardens Community High School.
- Soriya Foom of Poinciana High School
- William Barone and Chase Montminy of Randall Middle School.
- Cristian Velazquez of New World School of the Arts
- Jamie Ballard and Theresha Chesnutt of Mandarin High School
“This year has been truly remarkable, with over 20,000 students dashing towards the finish line and delivering innovations from fashion and AI to the unique integration of NFTs into clothing, art and even sneakers. “We have advanced the idea of innovation,” said Chris Brignole. NFTE Southeast Executive Director: “We are deeply grateful to our volunteers and program partners who play an important role in fostering a supportive ecosystem in our schools and districts and helping our students reach their true potential. Having been part of the NFTE community for 18 years, it’s refreshing to see our students come full circle by starting important companies and pursuing careers they’re passionate about. celebrates the journey of every young entrepreneur towards excellence.”
The NFTE Southeast Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is hosted by EY US, Santander, Everbank, Batchelor Foundation, Jim Moran Foundation, and supported by Grant Cardone Foundation, The Giving Closet, Miami Downtown Development Authority, Dade Signature support was received from County Federal Credit Union and stakeholders. Powered by Citi Foundation, PayPal, and Shopify.
For media inquiries, please contact Angelika Seaman, 603-504-8554 or Denise Berkhalter, APR, 917-281-4362 (mediainquiries@nfte.com).
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About NFTE:
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) inspires entrepreneurship with unique learning experiences that empower students to take ownership of their future. NFTE, a global nonprofit organization founded in 1987, provides high-quality entrepreneurial education to middle school, high school, and postsecondary students. NFTE brings the power of entrepreneurship to students regardless of family income, community resources, special needs, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. NFTE has educated more than 1 million students, offering programs through in-school, out-of-school, in-person, online, or hybrid models. For more information, please visit nfte.com.
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NFTE Southeast Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Champion
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Winners of the 2024 NFTE Southeast Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
