This October we’re celebrating 20 years of the National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, a tradition that began in 2006 and has grown into one of NFTE’s biggest stages for young entrepreneurs.

It all began on Oct. 26, 2006, when 28 NFTE middle and high school students traveled to New York City for the very first challenge. That day, Abigail "Abby" Lewis of Kansas became our first national champion, winning $10,000 for The Scribbler, a nail polish pen she invented.

In 2025 on Oct. 8, the challenge will bring together more than 60 finalist businesses from seven NFTE regions across the United States, all ready to pitch for the title of national champion and their share of cash prizes. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. EDT, and the final competition and awards ceremony kicks off an hour later at the New York Marriott Marquis on Broadway.

The stakes have grown. The entrepreneurial spirit is stronger than ever. What's more, the ideas have evolved into dynamic, forward-thinking business and service concepts that embrace social entrepreneurship, deliver modern-day solutions, and harness the power of technology and AI.  

We’re proud to share news of some of the most prestigious recognition NFTE and our students have ever received! An accomplished group of 14 NFTE alumni are being featured in a stunning public exhibit at Michael Milken’s new Center for Advancing the American Dream, located in the historic Riggs Bank and the American Security and Trust buildings in Washington, D.C., directly across from the White House and U.S. Treasury.

This high-profile showcase celebrates the remarkable success of our alumni and underscores NFTE’s powerful impact on entrepreneurship in our nation over the last 40 years. Visitors to the gallery, entitled “Powering Dreams: The Entrepreneur’s Journey,” will find it’s more than an exhibit. It’s a moment of national visibility, a celebration of entrepreneurial excellence, and a vivid example of how education and innovation shape futures.

We warmly invite everyone to attend MCAAD’s public opening the weekend of September 20th to enjoy a variety of festivities and experience this inspiring tribute to established entrepreneurs and the next generation of changemakers.

You’ll see the American Dream come to life through the compelling stories of NFTE alumni Raneem Alsuwaidani, Zainabou Thiam, Darius Davie, Cody Chang, Chris Argote, Chante Goodwin, Andre McCain, Jonathan Ovadia, Sarah Farzam, Jennifer Sowden, Preet Sabharwal, Luke Cooper, Ryan Williams, and Jasmine Lawrence Campbell. Each alumnus beautifully embodies the center’s pillars: to be positive, bold, curious, and self-aware.

Will you meet us there? Reserve your complimentary tickets at tickets.mcaad.org/events and let us know you’re coming at marketing@nfte.com.

Lucio Hightower-Rojas still remembers the morning of the 2024 NFTE National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge—waking up early, running through his pitch one more time, and sharing “way too much coffee” with fellow competitors.

After two rounds of presenting and refining his delivery with tips from NFTE coaches, Lucio advanced to the finals at the Times Center.

"What surprised me most was how friendly and supportive everyone was, even in a competitive environment,” he said. “The most rewarding part was talking with my family (after being named national champion) and going over the experience with them.”

Lucio, who was a Los Angeles Urban League student, won $10,000 with his business idea Scholar Brilliance, an AI-driven gamified platform that helps students improve their essays, manage tasks, and track successes in the scholarship application process. That win has already opened doors. This month, he heads to UC Berkeley with plans to apply to the Haas School of Business, carrying the same focus and entrepreneurial mindset that made him a champion.

NFTE National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge judges are key volunteers. Each professional represents high-profile industries and brings an eye for talent and potential. Marissa Mack, Managing Director of the Not-for-Profit Banking Team at Webster Bank, knows what it takes to make a compelling case. While at the judges’ table for the 2024 challenge, she looked for “the spark.”

"I wanted to hear how clearly a student could explain the problem they're solving," she explained. "If they've really thought through the impact their product can have—that's when the value shines."

Last year, Marissa was impressed by the originality of the students’ ideas, the level of detail in their pitches, and how well the NFTE experience aligned with diverse learning styles and approaches. It inspired her to offer sage advice for future competitors. 

"Embrace your creative nature and pick the idea you're most passionate about," she said. "And remember, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Either way, you'll walk away with lessons that will help you grow."

The dynamic duo of NFTE South, educators Brooke Ayars and Brandon Brown from Career Institute East, approached preparation for NFTE's national challenge with a clear strategy last year. They set high standards early and guided their Dallas ISD students toward meeting them. They began with “clear criteria and exemplary pitch slide decks” to model professional quality, then layered in constant feedback from colleagues and industry partners.

Prototypes became a turning point. Encouraging their students to “go beyond words” gave the pitches a tangible edge that showed the value of their ideas. By competition day, the transformation was striking.

“They both had transformed into confident communicators who could lead a conversation, explain complex ideas clearly, and present with poise,” Brandon said. For Brooke and Brandon, the most rewarding part was knowing their students would carry that confidence well beyond the stage.

To bring NFTE to your school, contact us at getstarted@nfte.com.

The week before the National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, the energy in Suzanne Taylor’s world hits a whole new level.

Since 2008, NFTE’s Director of Events has applied precision and a personal touch to every event planning detail. You'll find Suzanne packing swag bags, coordinating with venue staff, finalizing programs, and sending out last-minute reminders to students, teachers, judges, and volunteers. 

Behind the scenes, she builds the quarterfinal schedule, balances diversity across judging panels, and makes sure similar business ideas don’t go head-to-head until later rounds. It's a labor of love fueled by the youth NFTE serves in seven regions.

"Usually before the first day, I have memorized their names and businesses," said Suzanne, who has a knack for recalling impressive students in astonishing detail years later. “It’s awesome to see their faces light up when they are recognized for their creative ideas.”  

Her favorite way of celebrating the young competitors is the NFTE national challenge welcome dinner. “It’s just them talking, connecting, and realizing they’re part of something bigger, something special," she said. "Those moments of connection are what make our national challenge unforgettable."

Thanks to the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Ernst & Young LLP (EY US), MetLife Foundation, Motorola Solutions Foundation, and PayPal, NFTE's BizCamps were in full swing this summer!

Delivered across the United States, BizCamps are intensive summer programs that introduce middle and high school students to the world of entrepreneurship through flexible curriculum. NFTE’s newest evolution of the program is its Tech Entrepreneurship BizCamp, which focuses on integrating entrepreneurship education with the latest technology.

Students not only learn the fundamentals of starting a business, but also explore the role of digital transformation, UI/UX design, and AI-powered tools in developing cutting-edge business ideas. Read more about this summer's camps!

We’re proud to congratulate the 11 incredible NFTE students who were recently awarded the 2025 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Youth Scholarship! Each recipient received $2,000 to support their postsecondary education and was honored at an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year gala in their region — joining an inspiring community of top business leaders and changemakers.

Huge thanks to EY US for continuing to invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs and celebrating the vision, innovation, and drive of NFTE students across the country!