The next hot start-up? It could come from one of these teens

Miami has gained nationwide notice for its entrepreneurial community.

The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), an organization that teaches entrepreneurship skills in underprivileged communities, plans to help the region stay in the spotlight.

Last week, the group hosted its annual Innovate South Florida pitch competition, bringing together South Florida private schools and corporate sponsors to raise money for its broader mission focussing on those with less.

“[We] teach kids how to create opportunities for themselves,” said Jeannine Schloss, NFTE’s senior regional director. “We teach them how to use their own life and create opportunities out of the problems they see.”

The competition event was fully paid for by corporate sponsors, who this year included Wheels Up, Celebrity Crusies, and Ernst and Young. Funds were also raised from the private schools entering the event. So far, $35,000 has been raised.

This year’s fundraiser was NFTE South Florida’s largest ever, featuring 11 schools from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Featured judges come from venture capital firms and small businesses.

Here are the results:

— 1st place Jordan Zietz Pine Crest School (GameReef)

— 2nd Place. Olivia Bacardi, Attie Crews, Megan Keller Palmer Trinity School (One Change Bracelets)

— 3rd Place Ariana Gonzales and Maia Mora-Ransom Everglades School (Glow Up)

— 4th Place American Heritage School (Plantation) Riya Daftary and Deva Mark (Fashion Eyes)

The winning idea was a virtual reality entertainment system to be used at corporate events and parties.

Second place was a Bracelet which changes color in the sun which brings awareness to melanoma.

For more information about NFTE vist NFTE.com

This story was originally published April 9, 2018 at 7:00 AM with the headline "The next hot start-up? It could come from one of these teens."