Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship

NFTE Sends Two Capital Region Student Ventures to National Finals

NFTE Sends Two Capital Region Student Ventures to National Finals

New York – October 27, 2026 -- Two student ventures, a custom bag-strap cushion and a wearable LED social-battery pin, earned places at the U.S. National Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase on Nov. 18, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) named the winners from its Capital Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase.

Perfectly Padded and Social Charge advance from the Capital region

Celia Salsbury and Giabella Catello of Frances Scott Key Elementary-Middle School in Baltimore advance with Perfectly Padded, which makes custom strap cushions for heavy bags. Bria White of Oxon Hill High School in Prince George's County, Maryland, advances with Social Charge, a wearable LED pin that displays the wearer's social battery level.

The national event may lead to the World Finals on Nov. 19 at 787 Seventh Avenue in New York City.

NFTE Sends Ipswich Student's AI Study Tool to National Finals

NFTE Sends Ipswich Student's AI Study Tool to National Finals

New York – October 27, 2026 -- The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) has advanced Isla Hughes of Ipswich High School in Massachusetts to the U.S. National Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase on Nov. 18, 2026, at the New York Marriott Marquis, with Nova Guide, an adaptive AI study co-pilot for students with executive function challenges.

Hughes will represent New England against top student founders nationwide

Hughes was selected as the top venture at the New England Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase from a pool of student-led businesses. NFTE credits her innovative thinking and persuasive pitch delivery.

At the national event, she will compete with top student entrepreneurs from across the country. The winner advances to the World Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase on Nov. 19, 2026, at 787 Seventh Avenue in New York City.