SPOTLIGHT: Founders Forum Showcase

Christopher Avolio Wins Founders Forum Showcase

The Founders Forum Showcase—presented by the Citi Foundation, EY, Intuit, MetLife Foundation, and SAP—has come to an exciting close with Christopher Avolio named this year's winner. Avolio's innovative U-lock holder for bikes, Huldit, impressed the judges and earned him the grand prize.

The showcase was a celebration of talent and dedication. Finalists Kailyn, Kasi, and Kehli Cage of Press Book & Wine Company earned $3,500 for their full-service café and workspace business, and Hariella Lawson-Hogban won $1,500 for Mö’dji, a docuseries capturing the migrant experience.

We’re so proud to be playing a significant role in building the next generation of diverse entrepreneurs in the U.S. and around the world!

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President's Perspective

Happy Women's History Month! NFTE often celebrates the amazing women in our ecosystem who are paving the way for future generations.

We continued that celebration this month by kicking off our third season of Entre News with Deborah Gibbins, COO of Mary Kay, Inc., and Yetunde Ayo Ayalowo, an entrepreneur and founder of Market Doctors. I found the conversation to be quite engaging, and I invite you to watch the new episode.

Additionally, in a recent blog post, a few of our fantastic Board members shared their NFTE "why," offered words of wisdom, and discussed the women who inspire them.

Lastly, in this newsletter, we're featuring Mary Blackford. She is but one of many innovative NFTE alumni who are changing the game as entrepreneurs and leaders in their fields.

Thank you for your continued support of NFTE. Together, we can empower the next generation of women leaders.

Get Inspired by the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs with NFTE's START IT UP Podcast

Mark your calendars! We are thrilled to announce the launch of our newest podcast on YouTube, START IT UP, brought to you by the NFTE Alumni and Postsecondary Department. Launching April 5, START IT UP is a weekly podcast that will feature inspiring stories from young entrepreneurs across the nation. Each episode will highlight the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned from starting and growing a business. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel.

Partnership Spotlight

Kudos to Alfredo F. Barbery, Senior VP at Citibank, for his exceptional commitment to educating and motivating our students. His financial literacy workshop in Duval County Public Schools was informative, inspiring, and provided students with practical knowledge about credit. Citi's dedication to empowering young entrepreneurs is truly admirable, and we're excited to continue working together to inspire the next generation of successful business leaders.

NFTE Alumni

Celebrating Women's History Month

As Women's History Month comes to a close, Mary Blackford stands as a beacon of inspiration for all. Mary is a NFTE Capital Region alumna and founder of Market 7, D.C.’s first Black-owned food hall featuring Black-owned food and lifestyle businesses to alleviate food and retail deserts. Recently, Mary was honored as part of the Washington Business Journal's Diversity in Business Awards.

Vote for NFTE's "Disrupting Education with an Entrepreneurial Mindset" Session

Vote now for NFTE's proposed SXSW Sydney session on "Disrupting Education with an Entrepreneurial Mindset” and help us share our story with the world. Join us in making a lasting impact and inspiring change. Don't wait. Cast your vote today!

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NFTE in the News

EdWeek Market Brief: What's the Role of Entrepreneurship in the K-12 Curriculum?
Boston Globe: Brothers from R.I. Applauded at Celtics Game
Fox 2 News: NFTE Announces Winners of $12,000 in Founders Forum Showcase Prizes
Soul Lounge Primetime: Women Entrepreneurs - Mentoring and Venturing
Donegal Live: Coláiste na Carraige Students Lead the Way to the NFTE Semifinals
Getting Smart: Entrepreneurial Thinking and Sustainability Must Be Core Components of Pathways
Miami Community Newspapers: NFTE Alumnus Among Arts Posse Scholars

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