Entrepreneurship Education

New York – October 27, 2026 -- Four students from Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and Michigan have won places at the National Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase on Nov. 18, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) announced. Winners emerged from Midwest showcases in St. Louis, Chicago and satellite competitions, where students pitched to panels of judges, community leaders and business professionals.

Four ventures span AI, media, hardware and gig-style work platforms

Malik Oladokun of Thornwood High School in South Holland, Illinois, advances with Helply, an AI-powered platform that connects young people with community service opportunities. Jayla Moore of STEAM Academy of McCluer South-Berkeley High School in Ferguson, Missouri, is bringing Mindset, a storytelling platform built around fictional and relatable stories, reflection and anonymous engagement.

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.

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.

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.