New York – October 27, 2026 -- NFTE and BUILD, two U.S. youth entrepreneurship education nonprofits, are combining into a single organization that will reach more than 350,000 students a year, according to a letter from President and CEO Dr. J.D. LaRock to both communities.
Merged group will teach in schools, communities, out-of-school programs and online
The combined organization covers in-school, community, out-of-school and online delivery. LaRock cites educator training and research among its strongest capabilities, plus multi-year commitments to individual students rather than single-semester programs. The merger also joins New York and Silicon Valley under one purpose, a combination LaRock says exists nowhere else in the field.
NFTE began teaching entrepreneurship in New York City classrooms in 1987. BUILD followed in 1999 in East Palo Alto, starting with four at-risk high school students who wanted to start a business. Together the two organizations have 67 years of experience teaching skills such as creativity, collaboration, adaptability, problem-solving and opportunity recognition.
BUILD becomes the first chapter of a wider NFTE family of brands
LaRock describes BUILD as the first chapter of a "family of brands" and states the systemic aim: moving entrepreneurship education from an optional elective toward a core part of how young people are prepared for their futures. The curriculum will join NFTE's entrepreneurial mindset with BUILD's Spark Skills: communication, collaboration, problem solving, innovation, grit and self-management.
LaRock frames AI as the driver of the strategy. "AI is the context. Young people are the subject," he writes, adding that knowledge is becoming a commodity and that the entrepreneurial mindset must be built to prepare the next generation.
Student founders pitch AI-driven ventures at regional showcases ahead of November finals
NFTE regional showcases and BUILDFests this spring and summer put student ventures before judging panels in St. Louis, Chicago, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, the Bronx and Boston. NFTE winners advance to the U.S. National Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase in New York on November 18. The top team there will compete on November 19 against students from more than twenty countries.
Ventures cited in the letter include:
- Helply, an AI platform from Malik Oladokun that connects young people to community service
- RebBudget, a financial planning app that helps customers save for big-ticket items while managing everyday expenses
- Nova Guide, Isla Hughes's adaptive AI study co-pilot for students with executive function challenges
- ProspectPath, Brandon Garcia's platform that gives overlooked athletes structure and exposure to compete for college scholarships
Leadership names budget pressure and sector consolidation as operating risks
LaRock acknowledges that public education budgets are under pressure, philanthropic support is contested, and organizations serving young people are consolidating or closing. He says the merged group will not wait to see what others do, and will guide its innovations by whether they serve young people and the communities they come from.