New Jersey Teen Takes Home First Prize in NFTE Mid-Atlantic Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

3 min read

The Global entrepreneurship education nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) has recently revealed the victors of its annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge through a press release. This competition, held in Philadelphia, celebrates the accomplishments of five local student businesses, who will now proceed to New York on Oct. 10 to compete for the National Champion title and cash prizes.

During the event, competitors presented their original business concepts to a panel of respected professionals and business leaders. The winners included Rosalie Delgado from the Jewish Renaissance Foundation in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, securing the first-place prize for her business idea, IndependMe. This app is designed to help children gain independence through fun and interactive games. Angel Rodriguez from Atmosphere Academy in the Bronx, New York captured second place with his business idea, Esthetic, a platform that utilizes AI to efficiently match hair care clients and stylists. The third-place winner was Roman Ortiz from the Jewish Renaissance Foundation in Perth Amboy with his business idea, FAZE, an app that uses AI to help users decide what to wear on a daily basis. Additionally, Elizabeth Manuchian from the Academy of Finance and Enterprise in Queens, New York, and Karla Perez, also from the Jewish Renaissance Foundation in Perth Amboy, were named as runners-up for their exceptional business concepts.

NFTE Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Rob Piercey, expressed his astonishment at the level of creativity and passion displayed by the students, emphasizing their entrepreneurial mindsets and their commitment to making a positive impact on the world around them.

The NFTE Mid-Atlantic Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge was presented by EY US and Santander, with significant support from Data Systems Analysts, Inc. and Shopify, and further backing from CBIZ, the Citi Foundation, Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP, and PayPal. Media inquiries can be directed to Angelika Seaman and Denise Berkhalter at [email protected].

NFTE is a global nonprofit organization that provides high-quality entrepreneurship education to middle school, high school, and postsecondary students. Founded in 1987, NFTE aims to empower students to own their futures regardless of their background or circumstances. The organization has successfully educated over a million students through a variety of programs delivered in-person, online, or through hybrid models.

This event showcases the incredible talent and drive of young entrepreneurs and highlights the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in today’s youth. The NFTE Mid-Atlantic Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge provides a platform for these budding business leaders to showcase their innovative ideas and serves as an excellent opportunity for them to gain exposure and recognition for their hard work and dedication. It is truly inspiring to witness the creativity and determination of these young individuals, and it is clear that the future of entrepreneurship is in good hands.