Three finalists received training via workshops and coaching from business advisors, fine-tuning their business plans and pitches for the showcase and pitch competition.
Having the entrepreneurial seed planted early may be a deciding factor for some students to later pursue an entrepreneurial career path. The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, a global education non-profit, does just that—exposing middle school, high school, and postsecondary students to entrepreneurship via its nationally run education program.
In addition to its classroom curriculum, NFTE hosts the Founders Forum Pitch Competition. In its recently held finals, three young entrepreneurs gave their best pitch to a panel of judges to win a portion of a $10,000 capital investment pool. Zachary Borja, founder of Borja+ Media took first place and received an award of $5,000 toward his digital marketing company which creates content for organizations with an impact-driven cause. Jonathan Ho won $3,000 for his business Edily Learning and Akin Shoyoye won $2,000 for his business Faderade.
“We are proud to support NFTE learners beyond their initial classroom experience with valuable networks and resources directly applicable to their business growth,” said NFTE president & CEO Dr. J.D. LaRock. “Now in its fourth year, the Founders Forum program provides NFTE alumni entrepreneurs with operational or launch-ready businesses deeper knowledge about raising capital, investment readiness, product sourcing, marketing, and team building.”
Dr. LaRock is seeing the results of NFTE’s efforts of the past few years, having taken the helm of the organization just when the pandemic began which impacted the NFTE curriculum when lockdowns occurred. The Founders Forum Pitch Competition now in its fourth year reflects NFTE’s success in moving past the challenges that Dr. LaRock and NFTE faced early in his tenure.
He can tout the sponsor relationships supporting the pitch competition that includes executives from Citi Foundation, Product Gym, Quadency, Valley Foundation Regenerative Agriculture, and NFTE alumni as well.
To date, NFTE has educated more than a million students, impacting a broad range of young people across a range of family incomes, community resources, special needs, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. The NFTE Founders Forum Pitch Competition complements its curriculum, enabling aspiring student entrepreneurs to gain real-world experience by vying for important seed capital for their ventures.
