Education Nonprofit NFTE Selects Winners in Annual World Series of Innovation Competition

NFTE awards over $24,000 to young entrepreneurs addressing global challenges through innovative solutions

NEW YORK, April 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), a global education nonprofit that ignites the entrepreneurial mindset of the next generation of diverse leaders, selected the winners of the 2022-2023 World Series of Innovation Competition (WSI), presented by Citi Foundation. Thirty groups were chosen based on their innovative solutions to 10 challenges in specific areas, including sustainability, education and economic development—all aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By offering $24,000 to young entrepreneurs around the world, NFTE continues to empower future generations to build a better tomorrow for our communities.

"Each year, WSI awards us the opportunity to gather brilliant young minds and watch them flourish as they come together to devise solutions to some of the most critical issues facing our world today," said Dr. J.D. LaRock, president and CEO of NFTE. "We're proud to offer a space that encourages creativity and innovation in our students and rewards them for tackling complex issues such as social and environmental justice, equity and poverty. This year's winners are a prime example of what young people are capable of when given the resources to thrive."

Overall, 1,249 groups worldwide submitted ideas for this year's WSI challenge. The winners from each category were selected by a blind judging system from within the NFTE community, with first-place winners receiving $1,500, second-place winners receiving $600 and third-place winners receiving $300. WSI's 10 categories were supported by Citi Foundation, Ernst & Young LLP (EY US), Mary Kay, Mastercard, Maxar, MetLife Foundation, Link Logistics, ServiceNow and Zuora. In alignment with UN SDGs, NFTE and its partner companies continue to invest in young entrepreneurs of all backgrounds with opportunities and pathways toward advancement.

"We are honored to support NFTE's 2023 World Series of Innovation, a challenge that shapes future leaders worldwide through fostering creativity and innovation," said Pam Habner, CEO of U.S. Branded Cards and Lending at Citi. "This challenge, presented by the Citi Foundation, provides an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to practice key leadership skills while engaging in thought-provoking conversations about real issues. We are proud of this year's winners for using their full potential when creating a solution for the future of work. We look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in the future."

2023 World Series of Innovation Competition winners:

Fresh Water Action Challenge
DyCon, 1^st place
Better Kitchen Sink, 2^nd place
Aquality, 3^rd place

Citi Foundation Future of Work Challenge
Cubifold, 1^st place
Speech2Sign, 2^nd place
Certifi, 3^rd place

EY Accelerating Environmental Sustainability Challenge
FlexCharge, 1^st place
Wonnit, 2^nd place
pPower, 3^rd place

Link Logistics Green Building Challenge
VanGreen, 1^st place
Seaweed Solutions, 2^nd place
Pure Eco, 3^rd place

Mary Kay Global Oceans Conservation Challenge
Angel Gear, 1^st place
Saving The Superstars of The Global Ecosystem, 2^nd place
Reversify, 3^rd place

Mastercard Financial Education Challenge
Project Radha, 1^st place
$amigo, 2^nd place
PocketPal, 3^rd place

Maxar Climate Mapping Challenge
GeoMosquito, 1^st place
20/5 Vision, 2^nd place
SaVR, 3^rd place

MetLife Foundation Good Health and Well-Being Challenge
MADS, 1^st place
Impatch, 2^nd place
UmeedVR, 3^rd place

ServiceNow Carbon Killer Challenge
Go Green Filter, 1^st place
Fire Guys, 2^nd place
FoodPrint AI, 3^rd place

Zuora Subscription Economy Challenge
Clove, 1^st place
Relivery, 2^nd place
Refillist, 3^rd place

WSI is a core component of NFTE's mission to inspire younger generations to creatively and strategically solve global challenges. Through their in-depth programming and educational training, NFTE fosters entrepreneurship and 21st-century skills in youth from low-income communities across several countries. More information on WSI, the winners, the prizes and the sponsors can be found at innovation.nfte.com.

For media inquiries regarding NFTE, please contact Emiliano Garcia at 917-446-7571 or [email protected]; or Denise Berkhalter at 917-281-4362 or [email protected].

About NFTE
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) ignites the entrepreneurial mindset with unique learning experiences that empower students to own their futures. A global nonprofit founded in 1987, NFTE provides high-quality entrepreneurship education to middle school, high school and postsecondary students. NFTE brings the power of entrepreneurship to students, regardless of family income, community resources, special needs, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. NFTE has educated more than a million students, delivering our programs in school, out of school, in-person, online, or through hybrid models. Visit www.nfte.com to learn more.

SOURCE NFTE