NFTE New England students create a business plan to pitch an idea that are passionate about in order to bring the ideas of marketing, finance, and production costs to life. One of the best resources NFTE provides is the mentorship of local entrepreneurs, who can guide the students as they seek to start businesses of their own.
Students in underserved communities often have the drive and the commitment to start their own businesses, but lack the resources or access to formal networks. NFTE's program forces students to think in an entrepreneurial mindset through our business plan challenge. However, our program doesn't end there. Each student deserves to hear from a guest speaker who launched a local company and work with a mentor to help them launch a business.
This project will allow NFTE New England to support over 100 volunteers this academic year in our classrooms. Funds will go towards classroom projects and seminars from the volunteers, as well as the costs of special coaching sessions between our young entrepreneurs and their assigned mentors. Students will be able to solicit advice from entrepreneurs who have real experience as they seek to form a business plan and win venture funding for their ideas.
By working to keep at-risk students engaged in their school work, NFTE spurs its participants to graduate high school and dare to dream of a brighter future. Whether they pursue higher education, enter the workforce, or start their own business, NFTE instills an entrepreneurial mindset in young people so they can plan for success. Since 1987 NFTE has worked with over 500,000 students across the U.S. and around the world.