BOSTON (PRWEB) June 18, 2019 -- Three young entrepreneurs from area high schools won top honors in the NFTE (Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship) New England Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge held at Aloft Boston Seaport District on June 11.
The students pitched their business ideas to a panel of expert judges, competing for cash prizes and a free trip to New York City this fall to represent the New England region in the next round of nationwide competition. The first and second place winners at the New England regional finals now advance to the quarterfinal rounds of NFTE’s National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, where they’ll go head-to-head with other top young entrepreneurs from across the U.S., competing for seed capital to grow their businesses or pursue educational goals.
The results of the New England regional finals:
• First place went to Lowell High School’s sixteen-year-old Caitlin McNamara, the founder of Spritz Away, a business dedicated to helping those with anxiety to enjoy a breath of fresh air with just one spray. With a variety of scents to please the senses, Spray Away acts as a relaxation device when stress is at its highest peak.
• Second place went to New Bedford High School's seventeen-year-old Amanda Braga, the creator of, TB Indicator, a kit that includes six tennis balls with sensors that will ensure fairness in a tennis match. The sensors will be able to determine the accuracy of the calls, allowing players to become less frustrated with their opponent, and thereby enhancing the performance in the game; making the match quicker and more efficient.
• In third place from Joseph P. Keefe Technical School was seventeen-year-old Shane McConnell, the creator of, Final Experience, a business that manufactures high-quality custom props for cosplay costumes giving cosplayers an experience they will never forget.
Student business pitches were judged by a panel of experts that included:
• Jane Steinmetz, Managing Principal, EY
• Richard Couch, CFO, Santander
• Kim Oliver, Director of Department of Families, Children, Youth & Recreation, City of Hartford
• Ilana Finley, VP Global Communications & Social Impact, Converse
• Rick Fedorowich, Managing Partner, J. Locke & Company.
Three special awards were presented during the evening event:
• Anne Nguyen from Sports & Medical Sciences Academy was awarded the NFTE New England Model Teacher Challenge Award. Nguyen now advances to the next round of national competition in the Model Teacher Challenge.
• Ernst & Young, LLP (EY) was honored with the NFTE New England Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award.
• Jack McCarthy of Babson College was honored with the NFTE New England Individual Volunteer of the Year Award.
The NFTE New England Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge was presented by Ernst & Young, LLP (EY), Microsoft and Santander with additional support from HOPR Ventures and NETSCOUT. The evening event was emceed by Angela Ivana, NFTE alum, and founder and CEO of CosmoSafe.
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About NFTE
NFTE is the leading educational nonprofit focused on teaching startup skills and activating the entrepreneurial mindset in young people from under-resourced communities. Research shows the entrepreneurial mindset—skills including problem-solving, adaptability, initiative, and self-reliance—leads to lifelong success. Equipped with the business and academic skills NFTE teaches and empowered by the entrepreneurial mindset, NFTE alumni are prepared to thrive. NFTE works with schools and community partners across the country through its nationwide network of program offices. Alliances with global youth development organizations bring NFTE programs to additional students internationally. NFTE reaches more than 100,000 young people annually and has served well over a million students since its founding. Learn more at http://www.nfte.com.
Media Contact
Ashley Johnson
mediainquiries(at)nfte.com
(212) 232-3333
Ashley Johnson, NFTE, http://www.nfte.com, +1 212-232-3333, [email protected]
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