NEW YORK, NY, February 13, 2023 – Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) selected the top finalists in its World Series of Innovation (WSI), presented by Citi Foundation.
Finalists represent the top 10 teams in each of WSI’s 10 challenge categories. WSI encourages entrepreneurship and innovation in youth ages 13 to 24, prompting them to solve global challenges in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including climate change, environmental degradation and poverty.
There were 1,249 total submissions from 59 countries around the world. WSI invited participants to submit innovative solutions to unique challenges supported by Citi Foundation, Bank of the West, EY, Mary Kay, Mastercard, Maxar, MetLife Foundation, Link Logistics, ServiceNow, and Zuora. Each challenge’s first-, second-, and third-place teams will be announced in April. Prizes range from $300-$1,500.
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By keeping this competition free and accessible for youth worldwide, NFTE upholds its vision of increasing equity in education for youth, regardless of their background.
“Our World Series of Innovation embodies what NFTE teaches every day in our classrooms and communities,” said Dr. J.D. LaRock, President and CEO of NFTE. “By promoting an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for advancing equity in society, WSI is proof of the power of our youth to create meaningful change. We were blown away by our participants this year and their ability to think critically and uniquely about some of the biggest challenges we face today, including environmental, economic, social and racial injustice. Innovation is critical for the development and betterment of our world and is an act of hope for a better future for the planet and generations to come.”
Finalists represent Bangladesh, Canada, India, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, Vietnam, and the United States (including California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia).
Among the ideas are Aqua Made, a U.S. team’s concept for decreasing the amount of household water usage by connecting faucets to a digital app; DyCon from Bangladesh, which tackles the large carbon footprint produced by cotton dyeing companies; and EduMaster from India, which aims to increase financial literacy rates in women by creating easily accessible, digital resources. Other projects include Sea Saver, an American team’s proposed product to remove oil from the ocean; Trinidad and Tobago’s Seaweed Solutions, which recycles seaweed to create sustainable material for construction; and Thailand’s Soilmate, a composting bin to decrease waste.
NFTE motivates youth to ignite their entrepreneurial mindset by thinking about real-world challenges. Doing so empowers future leaders outside of a traditional educational curriculum.
To learn more, visit nfte.com. Find a video about the WSI finalists at innovation.nfte.com. Direct media inquiries, including requests regarding the teams and their ideas, to Cecilia Apodaca at 970-237-0440 or [email protected]; or Denise Berkhalter at 917-281-4362 or [email protected].
About NFTE
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) ignites the entrepreneurial mindset with unique learning experiences that empower students to own their futures. A global nonprofit founded in 1987, NFTE provides high-quality entrepreneurship 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 a million students, delivering our programs in school, out of school, in-person, online, or through hybrid models. Visit nfte.com to learn more.
WSI CHALLENGE |
FINALIST |
| Bank of the West Fresh Water Action Challenge | Aqua Made |
| Bank of the West Fresh Water Action Challenge | AquaPenguin |
| Bank of the West Fresh Water Action Challenge | Aquality |
| Bank of the West Fresh Water Action Challenge | Better Kitchen Sink |
| Bank of the West Fresh Water Action Challenge | C2Blue |
| Bank of the West Fresh Water Action Challenge | DeSal |
| Bank of the West Fresh Water Action Challenge | DyCon |
| Bank of the West Fresh Water Action Challenge | Electreater |
| Bank of the West Fresh Water Action Challenge | Solar Water |
| Bank of the West Fresh Water Action Challenge | The Sustainable Sewage Project (SSP) |
| Citi Foundation Future of Work Challenge | Blossomer |
| Citi Foundation Future of Work Challenge | Certifi |
| Citi Foundation Future of Work Challenge | Cubifold |
| Citi Foundation Future of Work Challenge | Fision |
| Citi Foundation Future of Work Challenge | Health Forward |
| Citi Foundation Future of Work Challenge | Speech2Sign |
| Citi Foundation Future of Work Challenge | Uncharted Explorer |
| Citi Foundation Future of Work Challenge | VReal Academy |
| Citi Foundation Future of Work Challenge | W.A.G Device (Workplace Augmentation Glasses) |
| Citi Foundation Future of Work Challenge | YoungAmbition |
| EY Accelerating Environmental Sustainability Challenge | A Second Life |
| EY Accelerating Environmental Sustainability Challenge | Avis |
| EY Accelerating Environmental Sustainability Challenge | Flex Charge |
| EY Accelerating Environmental Sustainability Challenge | GreenQode |
| EY Accelerating Environmental Sustainability Challenge | Harvest Helper |
| EY Accelerating Environmental Sustainability Challenge | pPower |
| EY Accelerating Environmental Sustainability Challenge | Quaternary Filters |
| EY Accelerating Environmental Sustainability Challenge | RE-BANATEX |
| EY Accelerating Environmental Sustainability Challenge | Soisoi |
| EY Accelerating Environmental Sustainability Challenge | WONNIT TEXTILE COLLECTION & RECYCLING SYSTEM |
| Link Logistics Green Buildings Challenge | AirStacks |
| Link Logistics Green Buildings Challenge | Algae Power |
| Link Logistics Green Buildings Challenge | BioBuilds |
| Link Logistics Green Buildings Challenge | Pure Eco |
| Link Logistics Green Buildings Challenge | Seaweed Solutions |
| Link Logistics Green Buildings Challenge | Shao Orchid (a symbol of Simple, brilliant and timeless) |
| Link Logistics Green Buildings Challenge | Soilmate |
| Link Logistics Green Buildings Challenge | The Green Pillar |
| Link Logistics Green Buildings Challenge | VanGreen |
| Link Logistics Green Buildings Challenge | Vulcan |
| Mary Kay Global Oceans Conservation Challenge | AngelGear |
| Mary Kay Global Oceans Conservation Challenge | Laundro Clean (Benefits the people. Benefits the ocean. Benefits YOU) |
| Mary Kay Global Oceans Conservation Challenge | Mareplicas |
| Mary Kay Global Oceans Conservation Challenge | One With the Reefs |
| Mary Kay Global Oceans Conservation Challenge | Resead |
| Mary Kay Global Oceans Conservation Challenge | Reversify |
| Mary Kay Global Oceans Conservation Challenge | Saving The Superstars of The Global Ecosystem |
| Mary Kay Global Oceans Conservation Challenge | Sea Saver |
| Mary Kay Global Oceans Conservation Challenge | Sea Sensor |
| Mary Kay Global Oceans Conservation Challenge | SeaThrough |
| Mastercard Financial Education Challenge | $amigo |
| Mastercard Financial Education Challenge | Bread and Dough |
| Mastercard Financial Education Challenge | CredX |
| Mastercard Financial Education Challenge | Dependable DeFi |
| Mastercard Financial Education Challenge | Dhoondo |
| Mastercard Financial Education Challenge | EduMaster |
| Mastercard Financial Education Challenge | FEST+ |
| Mastercard Financial Education Challenge | Mi Rico Tio |
| Mastercard Financial Education Challenge | PocketPal |
| Mastercard Financial Education Challenge | Project Radha |
| Maxar Climate Mapping Challenge | 20/5 Vision |
| Maxar Climate Mapping Challenge | Aquafront |
| Maxar Climate Mapping Challenge | GeoMosquito |
| Maxar Climate Mapping Challenge | HealthiAir |
| Maxar Climate Mapping Challenge | Hurricane Help |
| Maxar Climate Mapping Challenge | Inferno Eyes |
| Maxar Climate Mapping Challenge | Magnify |
| Maxar Climate Mapping Challenge | Oceanwatch |
| Maxar Climate Mapping Challenge | SaVR |
| Maxar Climate Mapping Challenge | Solar Satellite |
| Metlife Foundation Good Health and Wellbeing Challenge | BubbleOn |
| Metlife Foundation Good Health and Wellbeing Challenge | Essential Care Center |
| Metlife Foundation Good Health and Wellbeing Challenge | GrandmaPath |
| Metlife Foundation Good Health and Wellbeing Challenge | Impatch |
| Metlife Foundation Good Health and Wellbeing Challenge | MADS |
| Metlife Foundation Good Health and Wellbeing Challenge | MIND CRUSADERS |
| Metlife Foundation Good Health and Wellbeing Challenge | PERCH |
| Metlife Foundation Good Health and Wellbeing Challenge | Strive for Stride |
| Metlife Foundation Good Health and Wellbeing Challenge | Sunrise Senior |
| Metlife Foundation Good Health and Wellbeing Challenge | UmeedVR |
| ServiceNow Carbon Killer Challenge | ECOmmunity |
| ServiceNow Carbon Killer Challenge | Ethible- Food App |
| ServiceNow Carbon Killer Challenge | Fire Guys |
| ServiceNow Carbon Killer Challenge | FoodPrint AI |
| ServiceNow Carbon Killer Challenge | Footprint |
| ServiceNow Carbon Killer Challenge | Go Green Filter |
| ServiceNow Carbon Killer Challenge | HydroCell |
| ServiceNow Carbon Killer Challenge | Modular Smartphones |
| ServiceNow Carbon Killer Challenge | SunShutters |
| ServiceNow Carbon Killer Challenge | Coffee for Pet |
| Zuora Subscription Economy Challenge | DeliveryRS |
| Zuora Subscription Economy Challenge | Eat Wonky Marketplace |
| Zuora Subscription Economy Challenge | Clove |
| Zuora Subscription Economy Challenge | Open Closet |
| Zuora Subscription Economy Challenge | Fashion Econ |
| Zuora Subscription Economy Challenge | Relivery |
| Zuora Subscription Economy Challenge | Green Cloud Computing |
| Zuora Subscription Economy Challenge | Huhu (Help Us Help U) |
| Zuora Subscription Economy Challenge | ecoInsure |
| Zuora Subscription Economy Challenge | Refillist |