SPOTLIGHT: Inspiring Moments at the World Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge | | | |
Congrats to NFTE's Global Champion & Innovative Competitors |  | |
On November 16, the National Museum of the American Indian in New York City became the center of innovation and inspiration as 23 students from 11 countries came together for Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship's (NFTE's) World Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge.
From tech innovations to sustainable solutions and everything in between, these young minds showcased their ingenuity, leaving a mark on the entrepreneurial landscape.
After two intense rounds of pitching, one student emerged as the winner—Raneem Al Suwaidani, a student at The Met School in Providence, Rhode Island. Raneem secured first place with her business, Lilypad, a food truck rental opportunity specifically designed for BIPOC entrepreneurs to test their culinary concepts in a low-cost and risk-free environment. Her dedication earned her a well-deserved $5,000 prize.
The second-place winner was Sindhuja Venkataraman from ENpower in India, who was awarded $1,000 for her business concept, MyRoots. Additionally, runners-up Tadeo Noguera and Sebastián Rodriguez, representing Fundación Educación para el Futuro in Argentina with their business idea, GreenBug, and Misaki Nakamura, representing Career Link in Japan with her business concept, Aladdin, received $500 each.
The 2nd Annual World Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge showcased not only the creativity of young entrepreneurs but also the potential for their ideas to shape our economic future, revolutionize traditional industries, and inspire new thinking around the use of emerging technologies.
Missed the competition? Watch it here, and don't forget to subscribe.
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November is National Entrepreneurship Month, and it’s been a big month for NFTE! Our collective work has helped NFTE maintain our position as the world's leading entrepreneurship education organization.
The biggest headline news is that NFTE declared November 17, 2023, as Youth Entrepreneurship Day and received a Presidential proclamation from the Biden Administration recognizing the day! The document highlights the crucial role of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in the next generation. Said President Biden, “We know that when we provide our youth entrepreneurs with the support and resources they need to start and scale their businesses, our economy grows stronger and our communities flourish.” NFTE also received proclamations in cities and states across the country, including Dallas, Texas; Miami-Dade County, Florida; The Commonwealth of Massachusetts; New York City; and Washington, D.C.
NFTE has been making its voice heard with policymakers on Capitol Hill as well! I was delighted to join fellow CEOs from top entrepreneurship education organizations in 11 meetings with a bipartisan group of Members of Congress and their staff. These discussions focused on the critical role of entrepreneurship education, the future of work, and federal education and workforce laws. It is heartening to see this collective effort to shape policies that impact the entrepreneurial landscape.
Lastly, NFTE continues to make waves on a global scale. Our World Series of Innovation online competition was recently celebrated as one of the 100 most impactful innovations changing the face of education today at the HundrED Innovation Summit! This recognition was accompanied by an invitation to Helsinki, where we had the privilege of meeting with other global innovators and receiving the honor in person.
We truly believe that entrepreneurship education has the power to change the world, which is why these milestones are so exciting. We look forward to doing much more in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead to make an even bigger impact and continue to fuel a future full of diverse entrepreneurial leaders.
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Exploring Paths to Global Well-being: Insights from UN Global Goals Conversation | | |
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In a world of 8 billion people and counting, can we truly achieve the UN's goal of "healthy lives and well-being for all"? NFTE hosted the United Nations Global Goals Conversation on November 15 in New York City, delving into this thought-provoking question.
Presented by Aramco, Citi Foundation, EY, and MetLife Foundation, with support from Santander, the event brought together a panel of esteemed speakers, including NFTE alumnus Aaditya Sharma, well-being expert Jeanette Pierre, and EY executive Frank Giampietro. They engaged in a discussion on the theme "Healthy & Resilient: Adapting to a Changing World," exploring social entrepreneurship solutions that advance UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.
From crafting a healthier, more compassionate society to fostering a resilient mindset in the face of constant challenges, our speakers shared invaluable insights. They discussed the navigation of personal, academic, and professional goals amidst global issues and social responsibility.
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Corporate Partnership Spotlight | | |
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A huge thank you to EY for their ongoing support of talented NFTE alumni like Zainabou Thiam, who presented on the main stage at the EY Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Springs, California, this month! Zainabou captivated the audience with her story and the success of her business, Sunu Body—an online West African boutique that sells authentic African jewelry and skin care products ethically sourced from West African artisans. Her passion, poise, and expertise earned her a standing ovation, countless connections, and even a few investors.
EY's commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs was exemplified through this incredible opportunity, and we are so excited to see what’s next for Zainabou!
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Empowering Young Innovators for a Better Future | | |
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This fall, NFTE hosted Innovation Days as part of the World Series of Innovation (WSI), bringing together young people and volunteers from around the world to tackle the biggest challenges facing humanity and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
With the help of expert volunteers and business plan coaches, these Innovation Days aimed to inspire the next generation of innovators to develop fresh approaches in addressing pressing economic, social, and environmental issues.
On November 3, NFTE partnered with EY for EY Connect Day, where 187 EY volunteers from around the world joined over 400 NFTE students to design solutions that combine AI and entrepreneurship to create sustainable, inclusive, and peaceful communities.
The journey for interested students continues! There's still time to submit innovative ideas for WSI, presented by Aramco and MetLife Foundation. If you are between 11 and 24 years old, submit your biggest and boldest ideas by December 10 for a chance to win cash prizes!
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Jumpstart the holiday season and celebrate National Entrepreneurship Month with NFTE! We invite you to join our Fuel a Future campaign. Donate the cost of your "morning fuel" to support NFTE students. Your contribution will fuel the future of students from under-resourced communities and give them the spark they need to ignite their entrepreneurial mindset.
Imagine the impact of transforming a simple cup of coffee into an investment that empowers young entrepreneurs to shape a brighter future. When you support NFTE, you're not just providing financial assistance; you're investing in the potential of the next generation of diverse entrepreneurs and business leaders. For every $500 we receive, NFTE can support another student for a full year. Every dollar makes a difference!
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