Young innovators (ages 5-12) propose solutions to sustainable development goal-focused challenges 

NEW YORK, NY (Feb. 18, 2025) —The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) — in partnership with Aramco, the Citi Foundation, and MetLife Foundation — proudly announces the winners of the Imagination League of the World Series of Innovation (WSI). Since 2009, NFTE’s annual WSI competition has invited young people from around the world to come up with creative solutions addressing real-world issues tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

This year marked a significant expansion of WSI, which was offered for the first time to a younger audience of children ages 5-12 through the Imagination League, and in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, and Hindi, thanks to the generous support of Aramco. The program aimed to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to think critically about global challenges and devise innovative solutions. 

“Through the World Series of Innovation Imagination League, NFTE provides a platform for our youngest entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and engage meaningfully with global problems,” said Dr. J.D. LaRock, President & CEO of NFTE. “As the program continues to grow, I’m excited to see it inspire even more young innovators to consider how their ideas can contribute to a sustainable future for all.” 

“We are proud to support WSI and especially the newly expanded Imagination League. This comes as part of our commitment to provide children around the world with greater opportunities to learn and participate through ensuring resource accessibility in multiple languages,” said Hadeel Al-Eisa, Corporate Citizenship Manager at Aramco. “The talent and creativity of these young innovators is incredible. Their ideas not only reflect their potential but also highlight the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability from an early age.” 

Overall, this year’s World Series of Innovation drew a total of 5,112 participants from 82 countries, with 1,161 participating in the Imagination League and competing for the chance to win up to $600 in prizes. Each challenge is linked to a specific SDG, encouraging participants to think critically about pressing global issues: 

Aramco Clean Water Challenge

  • 1st Place: Harlyn Bowns & Becca Dean from Randall Middle School in Florida with CWW, a long filtration pipeline that can stretch for miles to filter out harmful germs in contaminated water. 
  • Runner Up: 倪懿姝 Ni Yishu, 梁默容 Liang Morong, 邓婉瑜 Deng Wanyu, and 俞成彧 Yu Chengyu from Suzhou Industrial Park Du Shu Lake Kindergarten in Suzhou, China with 拯救水源之阿里的守护 (Ali’s Protection to the Water), an innovative solution designed to purify polluted water using a fish-shaped sewage decomposer.
  • Runner Up: A team from Saudi Arabia with The Magical Algae, which uses algae to absorb pollutants to purify contaminated water.

Citi Foundation Youth Economic Advancement Challenge

  • 1st Place: Michal Lucian Prenoveau and Avi Dhillon from Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida with Stock Up on Jobz, an app designed for kids who want to explore additional ways to earn money within their community. 
  • Runner Up: Maria Escobar, Mayra Chapparo, and Ximena Hernandez from Western International School in Honduras with Kidpreneurs Chronicles, a podcast tailored for children aged 7 to 12 who are curious about entrepreneurship.
  • Runner Up: Ch Omar Aitzaz, Ch Aitzaz Rasool Sandhu, Abdullah Saad, and Maryam Khalil from Beacon House School System, Allama Iqbal Town Branch in Lahore, Pakistan with SkillFfusion, a platform where students can connect, share, and exchange skills.

MetLife Foundation Good Health and Well-Being Challenge

  • 1st Place: Myra Saxena from Herbert Hoover Elementary School in California with Healthy Littles, a convenient platform for children with diabetes to research healthy habits, discover diabetes-friendly recipes, and log their food intake. 
  • Runner Up: Tanushri Manjrekar, Aaryan Thakkar, and Aarya Chavan from India with Krishi Rakshak, a device that uses ground vibrations to protect farmers from venomous snakes in their crops, farms, and fields.
  • Runner Up: Helin Horuz from Gözcüler Elementary School in Türkiye with Pathguide, a cane equipped with sensors designed to help visually impaired individuals navigate their environment safely.  

The winners of the World Series of Innovation Impact League (ages 13-24) will be announced on April 14, 2025. 

Learn more about the NFTE WSI innovation challenges, the sponsoring organizations, and the prizes being offered at innovation.nfte.com. Find out more about the winning entries at innovation.nfte.com/results. 

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For media inquiries, please contact NFTE National Communications Director Denise Berkhalter, APR, 917-281-4362, at [email protected]. 

About NFTE  

Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) ignites the entrepreneurial mindset with unique learning experiences that empower students to own their futures. A global nonprofit founded in 1987, NFTE provides high-quality entrepreneurship education to middle school, high school, and postsecondary students. NFTE brings the power of entrepreneurship to students, regardless of family income, community resources, special needs, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. NFTE has educated more than a million students, delivering our programs in school, out of school, in-person, online, or through hybrid models. Visit nfte.com to learn more.