2014 NFTE World Series of Innovation (#WSI) Calls Young Innovators Around the Globe to Compete for Up to $35,000 in Cash and Prizes

NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) kicks off its annual World Series of Innovation (#WSI), presented by Microsoft YouthSpark, by opening real-world innovation challenges to young people.

Through WSI, teams of young innovators around the world are invited to think creatively and invent new products or services that address every-day opportunities identified by companies such as Coca-Cola, the Pitney Bowes Foundation and GoDaddy.

There are seven unique challenges on the WSI website – http://innovation.nfte.com – and winning innovators can claim up to $35,000 in cash and prizes -- $5,000 per challenge in seven challenge categories.

As a featured event of Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 17-23) (www.gewusa.org), WSI is a signature competition of NFTE and reinforces the power of entrepreneurship and innovation for young people.

"The World Series of Innovation is an exciting opportunity for young people that amplifies our message and reach around the globe," said Amy Rosen, President and CEO of NFTE.  "We are especially proud to have Microsoft YouthSpark as our presenting sponsor again this year and to be working with an incredible list of challenge sponsors."

As the presenting sponsor of the World Series of Innovation, Microsoft YouthSpark is issuing two challenges for students to create tablet/smartphone apps and games that can be "used by students to help them be more effective in school or deal with common student or school issues" and "improves student achievement and builds awareness of school issues."

"At Microsoft, we're inspired by the growing number of youth who not only enjoy using technology, but also enjoy creating technology," said Lori Forte Harnick, General Manager, Microsoft Citizenship & Public Affairs. "We're proud to support and celebrate the young innovators and entrepreneurs at NFTE's annual World Series of Innovation."

The WSI is entirely online. On sign-up, innovators receive a World Series of Innovation toolkit based on NFTE's award-winning entrepreneurship curriculum to assist in the completion of their submissions.

The 2014 Challenge Categories are:

Microsoft App Challenge: Design an engaging tablet or smart phone app that addresses an important issue or improves community relations at your school.

Microsoft Game Challenge: Develop a cool tablet or smart phone game that improves student achievement and builds awareness of school issues.

GoDaddy: Design an innovative app that connects small business owners with information and resources to help them thrive, grow their business and network with other small business owners.

MasterCard with Junoon Hospitality: Research international hospitality trends, explore new market opportunities and help Junoon Restaurants go global.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: Create a unique tablet or smart phone app that promotes volunteerism for a more caring society and a better world.

Coca-Cola/ VEB (venturing & emerging brands): Launch a new beverage company committed to the health, wellness and vitality of Baby Boomers.

Pitney Bowes Foundation: Invent a location-aware application that addresses a need in your school or community.

Completed submissions are due by November 20, 2014, during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

A panel of judges will select the top 10 submissions in each challenge category and these 10 teams will each be given 4 weeks to film and create a video commercial for their innovation. From those Top 10 submissions with videos, three finalists in each category will be chosen by a committee of elite judges from the sponsoring organizations. Those top 3 finalists will go head-to-head in a public online vote.

There will be two winning teams per category: the "Adjudicators' Choice" selected by the sponsoring organization, and the "People's Choice", chosen by popular vote with our online voting platform. The same team can win both.

The two winning teams in each category will receive a prize of $2,000 to share, plus $500 for their school or other non-profit youth serving organization.

Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship – Since 1987, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) has taught and inspired more than 500,000 young people to pursue educational opportunities, start their own businesses, and succeed in life. By providing entrepreneurship education programs relevant to the real world, NFTE empowers students to own their education and future success. NFTE has programs in 19 U.S. communities and 12 countries. To learn more visit www.nfte.com, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NFTE and follow us on Twitter at @NFTE

Microsoft YouthSpark
Microsoft YouthSpark is a global initiative that aims to create opportunities for 300 million youth in more than 100 countries by 2015. This companywide initiative includes Citizenship and other company programs that empower youth to imagine and realize their full potential by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship. Learn more at www.microsoft.com/youthspark

Contact:
Derek Newton 
[email protected]  
212-232-3333 x316

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SOURCE Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship