New York – October 27, 2026 -- The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) has named two West region students to advance to the U.S. National Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase on Nov. 18, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The finalists were chosen from NFTE's 2026 West Youth Entrepreneurship Showcases in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
Two student ventures win top honors in Los Angeles and the Bay Area
Elian Gutierrez of Florence Nightingale Middle School in Los Angeles advances with Little Miss, a period product pouch. Saumit Pathak of Silver Creek High School in San Jose, California, advances with LeftoSense, an AI-powered app that scans and analyzes food to determine whether it is safe to eat.
National winners can advance to the World Finals on Nov. 19
Both students will compete against top youth entrepreneurs from across the country. Winners at the national event can advance to the World Finals on Nov. 19 at 787 Seventh Avenue in New York City.
Emma Hunt, NFTE West Program Director, said students across the region are drawing on lived experience and community insight to build businesses with real potential.
NFTE West honors EverBank and four educators and volunteers
NFTE West named EverBank Corporate Volunteer of the Year and Tori Pappas Individual Volunteer of the Year. Lester Vasquez and Jalina Chatzipantsios of Florence Nightingale Middle School were named Los Angeles Teachers of the Year. Imani Butler of Silver Creek High School was named Bay Area Teacher of the Year.
Six corporate presenters and Ancestry back the West showcases
Ernst & Young LLP (EY US), the G-Unity Foundation, PayPal, Santander, U.S. Bank and Zuora presented the West showcases. Ancestry served as signature sponsor, with additional support from Britebound, BMO and EverBank.
NFTE also thanked Ancestry for launching the "Ancestry Legacy Builders Scholarship," which will give NFTE West participants hands-on training and mentorship.