Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)

For Imani Butler, a NFTE teacher at Silver Creek High School in San Jose, these words are more than an introduction—they’re the foundation of his journey. Growing up in a family business, he saw firsthand the resilience and innovation it takes to be an entrepreneur. After a successful career in tech, he found himself at a crossroads and took a chance on teaching. That temporary role turned into a lifelong passion. Mr. Butler believes Black history isn’t just something to be studied for a month—it’s woven into the fabric of American and world history. "There are countless Black innovators and leaders whose stories deserve to be told, not just in February, but every day of the year. I make it my mission to highlight these figures and show my students that they, too, can shape history." This Black History Month, we celebrate educators like Imani Butler who inspire the next generation to build, innovate, and lead. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/eSGqnSJP.

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Founders Forum Pitch Competition, presented by EY and PayPal! On February 26, three NFTE alumni entrepreneurs showcased their ventures, competing for a share of a $10,000 capital investment pool. After delivering their best pitches, Jasstina Featherstone, founder of Jazz Esscents Candle Co., secured the top prize of $5,000 to fuel her business, which specializes in dessert candles, using aromatherapy to create therapeutic products. Autumn Harmon earned $3,000 for Express Yourself Studio, while Chardonnay Henry took home $2,000 for Autism Axis Network. A huge thank you to our incredible finalists for their inspiring pitches, our judges for their time and expertise, and our guest speaker, Delano A. Johnson, for sharing his insights!

Mr. Ray Parris, a dedicated NFTE Southeast teacher, has made it to the final round of Entrepreneur of Impact—and he’s currently in 2nd place! Ray Parris, CEO of Money Movez, is an entrepreneur and educator making a lasting impact in Miami schools. Now, he needs your support to secure the top spot! Cast your vote and help Ray become the Entrepreneur of Impact: https://lnkd.in/ebT6Ta_C. Voting closes Thursday, February 27, at 7 PM PST.

Tonight’s the night! Three Founders Forum finalists will take the virtual stage to pitch their businesses to an investment panel, competing for a share of a $10,000 capital investment pool to fuel their ventures! While the judges deliberate, you'll have the chance to meet the rest of this year's Founders Forum cohort and hear from our featured VIP speaker, Grammy-nominated artist and branding expert, Dèlano A. Johnson! Congratulations to this year’s eight NFTE Founders Forum participants! Since October, these NFTE alumni have engaged in expert-led workshops, business coaching, and pitch refinement to prepare for this culminating showcase. Learn more about the Founders Forum Pitch Competition at https://lnkd.in/eNmV6NnR!

In close collaboration with the Boston PIC (Private Industry Council), NFTE New England just wrapped up another successful February Break Entrepreneurial Boot Camp! Over 80 Boston Public Schools students from 19 high schools chose to invest in their entrepreneurial journey during their school vacation week—now that's dedication! Throughout the week, students explored their entrepreneurial mindset, discovered what makes a great business opportunity, and put their skills into action by developing and pitching their own ventures. A huge thank you to Mark C. and Citizens for providing nearly 30 coaches who helped students refine their ideas and elevator pitches. And a big shout out to Maggie Lytle and John Hancock for generously hosting our NFTE Entrepreneurial Boot Camp for the second year in a row.

Join us for the Founders Forum Pitch Competition! Imagine this: three NFTE alumni founders taking the virtual stage to pitch their businesses to a panel of esteemed judges. During the judges' deliberation, Delano A. Johnson, CEO and Chief Brand Architect of Dèlano International, will deliver a keynote speech, sharing valuable insights on achieving success in an ever-evolving business landscape. NFTE alumni will compete for a share of a $10,000 capital investment pool to help advance their businesses. RSVP at: https://lnkd.in/e7NPr5ce.

Join us for the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Awards Gala and Alumni Expo in New York City on May 1, 2025! This prestigious event honors inspiring leaders who have advanced our mission to empower youth through entrepreneurship education. Sponsor, attend, and bring guests to an unforgettable evening featuring a cocktail reception, an elegant dinner, and an inspirational awards ceremony. Your support makes youth entrepreneurship education possible. Visit nfte.com/gala to reserve your tickets for you and your friends!

In 2024 alone, over 5 million business applications were submitted in the U.S., reflecting a growing drive for innovation and entrepreneurship. As we celebrate National Entrepreneurship Week, we’re proud to share that since 1987, NFTE has empowered more than 1.4 million students with the skills, mindset, and support to launch businesses, build careers, and shape their own success. Join us in inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs at nfte.com!

Imagine being 7 years old and already tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. That’s exactly what happened this year in the World Series of Innovation (WSI) competition with the launch of the Imagination League, in partnership with aramco, the Citi Foundation, and MetLife Foundation. Today, we’re excited to announce the winners! For the first time ever, young minds ages 5–12 from around the world had the chance to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals in English, Spanish, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, and Hindi, thanks to the generous support of Aramco. The Imagination League inspired 1,161 young changemakers to dream big, think critically, and innovate boldly as they competed for a chance to win up to $600 in prizes. See all the winners and their innovative ideas: https://lnkd.in/gJ2aMMDz!

When you love what you do, challenges become opportunities, and every step forward is a chance to grow. Take a moment today to show appreciation for those who inspire YOU!