Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Offers Business Camp for Area Students

The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) has teamed up with the St. Louis Science Center, College Bound, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and MasterCard Worldwide to host Start It Up St. Louis, the first NFTE BizCamp in the area. The program provides educational opportunities in business to 50 underserved high school students. NFTE BizCamps focus on providing business curriculum to youth in low-income communities.

Since 1987, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) has been inspiring young people to pursue educational opportunities, start their own businesses, and succeed in life. NFTE empowers students to own their futures in and out of the classroom and to find their own path to success. To date, NFTE has served over 500,000 young people worldwide. NFTE supports active programs in 21 U.S. locations and 13 countries around the world.

Start It Up St. Louis is a full-day, two-week program, that runs from June 17 to 28. The camp features interactive activities designed to provide high school students with hands-on business lessons. Start It Up St. Louis is available free of charge, thanks to a grant from MasterCard Worldwide.

“For 25 years, NFTE has played a pivotal role in entrepreneurship education using a proven program to engage students,” said Amy Rosen, president and CEO of NFTE. “The Start It Up St. Louis BizCamp is an extension of our commitment to help young people grow their skill to become the leaders of tomorrow.”

The Start It Up St. Louis program includes field trips, educational games and experiential learning activities designed to teach entrepreneurship and business concepts. Local entrepreneurs and business professionals are brought in to share a “real world” perspective.

“MasterCard is committed to developing the next generation of entrepreneurs,” said Rob Reeg, president, MasterCard Technologies and Operations. “We are proud to support NFTE and the Start It Up St. Louis camp, because they build a strong foundation in financial literacy and entrepreneurship while preparing students for successful careers.”

During the camp, students develop original business ideas that are presented during a competition on the final day. The top two finishers advance to NFTE’s National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge in New York City on October 3, 2013. They will compete against nearly 40 regional winners from across America for cash and prizes including startup capital, consulting and business coaching services, and scholarship money.