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Youth

Four Student Businesses Win New England Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) recently announced the winners of its annual New England Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. Four student businesses were selected as the top contenders, with Zainabou Thiam's Sunu Body taking first place, Raneem Al Suwaidani's Lilypad coming in second, and Bianca Fatu's Necklace Chargers and Charlotte Furman's Stepping Stones Daycare taking third and fourth place, respectively. The winners will present at the national finals in New York on October 3 to compete for the National Champion title and cash prizes totaling $18,000.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NFTE New England Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is an annual competition that selects student businesses to participate in the national finals.
  • The 2023 challenge was presented by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) and Santander, with signature support from UniCare, and associate support from Fenway Sports Group and HOPR Ventures.
  • The first-place winner, Zainabou Thiam, receives $1,500 for her business, Sunu Body, a line of products inspired by African culture.
  • Raneem Al Suwaidani's Lilypad, a food truck rental opportunity for BIPOC entrepreneurs, took second place and won $1,000.
  • Two runners-up, Bianca Fatu's Necklace Chargers and Charlotte Furman's Stepping Stones Daycare, won $250 each.
  • The winners were selected by a panel of judges, including Kate Homer, Sharon Keeley, Samanda Morales, Daniel New, and Brett Miller.
  • The national finals will take place in New York on October 3, where the winners will compete for the National Champion title and cash prizes.

Statistics:

  • $18,000: Total cash prizes to be awarded at the national finals
  • $1,500, $1,000, and $250: Awards for the first-, second-, and third-place winners, respectively
  • 4: Number of student businesses selected as winners of the New England Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
  • 5: Number of judges who selected the winning businesses
  • 2023: Year the NFTE New England Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge took place

Sources:

  • NFTE: Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) (note: no publication date provided in the original source)
  • Ernst & Young LLP (EY US)
  • Santander
  • UniCare
  • Fenway Sports Group
  • HOPR Ventures

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