NFTE blog

As some of you know already, for the past two weeks we've been hosting our online voting piece for the World Series of Innovation as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, and well it's that time folks. We are so proud to announce the winners of the 2011 World Series of Innovation presented by Microsoft and the fantastic ideas that they have created! Here are the winners for each category:

In honor of Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship is proud to announce the World Series of Innovation, presented by Microsoft! Between now and November 18^th we’re giving 18 teams of students the chance to pitch their own innovative business ideas to the public online. 

Margaret Fox Photography

Written by Hayley Hoverter, NFTE Alum and CEO of Sweet (dis)SOLVE

For all of the participants, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship’s 2011 National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge was all that it was hyped up to be—and much more. The event is perhaps a young entrepreneur’s dream: to be accompanied by a melting pot of the country’s best, most intelligent teenage business owners and to be able to get inspired by a plethora of passionate and esteemed judges . As intense as the competition was, with the stakes being so high, the environment remained positive, and everyone was encouraged every step of the way.

This year’s NFTE National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge was truly one we will not soon forget. It was an exciting afternoon with loud cheers and celebrations when announcements were made about each advancing round. And as we gathered for the evening’s finals you could tell that everyone was on the edge of their seats as each presentation was delivered. Now if you were unfortunately unable to attend this year’s national challenge then not to worry because we have it all captured here for you to watch.

Written by Brent Freeman, Founder and CEO of Roozt.com

What I need you to do is to close your eyes and think back to when you were 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. Go ahead, think of something you did that year that you were proud of, excited about, or thought was going to affect your life forever. (Seriously, go ahead,  I’ll wait…)

Written by Harsh Bhargava, President of I Create Inc

This year at the 5^th National Business Plan Competition conducted by I Create (NFTE India) we witnessed a historical moment when Montu Shah took the stage.  Montu Shah gave a stunning presentation of his business plan to manufacture individually designed and painted t-shirts. The truly remarkable part about this presentation was that he did it all in sign language.  With the aid of an interpreter and his PowerPoint slideshow, Montu explains how the shirts would be individually designed and painted by the other hearing and speech challenged students in his school.  His business would provide them with a way to earn some greatly needed pocket money, and he will be able to keep his unique business going.

Written by Julie Kantor, Executive Director NFTE DC Region

In the beginning it started out with over 900 youth in DC, Maryland and Virginia schools, as well as several charter schools.  They then went through 60+ hours of training on how to start and operate their own small businesses.  Most of the students received seed capital to bring the book-theory to life and purchase their own inventory.  And students from all over the region have showcased their new businesses in their schools and with most of them turning a profit.  In the end these students compete to take their businesses to the next level.

This week we have Victor Salama, NFTE’s Vice President of Business and International Partnerships, guest blogging for us to tell us about his recent trip to China for their 4^th annual National Business Plan Competitiion.

I just came back from China having attended the Bright China Foundation’s (BCF) 4^th annual National Business Plan Competition for its youth entrepreneurship program.  What a fantastic experience!  Having worked with BCF since it became a NFTE licensee in 2003, I knew that they ran excellent programs, and over the years I have had the opportunity to meet several graduates and some teachers.  But being there in person at the competition was really eye opening.

Steven Gordon presenting his business plan at the 2010 OppenheimerFunds/NFTE National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

I don’t know how I can express my appreciation for NFTE anymore than I have. They have given me the opportunity to learn entrepreneurship inside and out, meet influential entrepreneurs, and trained me how to be my own CEO.

I am Steven Gordon, CEO of TattooID, and on October 5th, 2010 I was able to participate in the 2010 OppenheimerFunds/NFTE National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge in New York City. It was an experience, a chance, and a dream which I am grateful to have had. Luck for me I didn’t have to travel too far, being from Brooklyn, but the hotel we stayed in was very impressive, offering views of the world-famous Times Square!