NFTE blog

Sana Shah participated in NFTE's World Series of Innovation, and her team went on to win their category. The following is a short summary of how NFTE's programs are inspiring students to engage with their school work and innovate.

What apps have you designed? 28 Students in NFTE’s New York Metro NYC Generation Tech program just completed the inaugural program to design and build a usable app. The winning app, selected by a team of judges, including Tumblr founder, David Karp, is SkooBrik.

By: Keon Massey, 12th Grade NFTE Student

I didn’t know anything about the fundamentals of business when I was first introduced to the entrepreneurship class at my school, but I knew that I loved marketing. In September, my NFTE class went on a field trip to the Philadelphia Convention Center to meet and work with professionals from Ernst & Young. At the EY Connect Day,  I was introduced to Mrs. Sylvia McKinney, the executive director of NFTE Philadelphia, and the business world. We all had an assignment to develop a better business plan from a business assigned to us at random. The group that I led performed perfectly, and we won the competition that day.

That was just for starters

As we prepare for the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013, NFTE Greater Dallas has a great deal to brag about! 

The school year is in full swing and have already held so many great events. Our first event took place on a rainy Saturday in September when we had over 100 students come together and work with several volunteers to review and revise their submissions for the World Series of Innovation. NFTE Dallas had over 150 submissions with two business ideas making it to the final round. Congratulations to all.

An Update from NFTE’s licensed partner in China:

On November 8, the results of the 2012 Bright China Entrepreneurial Spirit Award (BESA) National Finals were announced in Beijing. The 15 outstanding competitors came from more than 100 alumni  in 10 city level and provincial level semi half competitions from around China, including: Taizhou, Ningbo, Changchun, Shanghai, Changzhou, Yantai, Harbin, Kunshan, Fuzhou, Lianyungang, Huaian and Hong Kong.

Written by: Kate Materese

One of the most interesting parts of my NFTE experience so far has been being able to host a variety of volunteers from both the corporate and the entrepreneurial world at my classroom sites. These volunteers come in for a variety of purpose. Some act as motivational speakers, sharing their own stories of trial and triumph, some act as coaches, helping students work on projects and business plans. Students, reticent though many may be to partake in class on an average day, generally perk up when volunteers come in. Suddenly, entrepreneurs become real people and having a career in business seems achievable. 

NFTE is thrilled to join the Social Impact Exchange's S&I 100 list. The S&I 100 is the first-ever broad index of nonprofits with proof of their social impact. The S&I 100 includes organizations that deal with education, poverty, youth and health initiatives.

Today at 9:00 AM ET (Tuesday, November 27th) the Microsoft Giving Tuesday begins! This is your last chance to Double Your Impact and your gift to NFTE through the generosity of the people at Microsoft. Matches will be made up to $1,000 per donor, per project on the Give For Youth website, and funding is limited. 

NFTE's partner in China, Bright China Foundation, is celebrating its national challenge this week. Some of the judges come from NFTE supporters, NYSE Euronext and Ernst & Young.

See additional photos on NFTE's Facebook page.