Judges’ Training

Welcome and Thank you! Thank you for volunteering your time, your expertise, and your enthusiasm to be a judge at the NFTE National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge! You are helping to develop the entrepreneurial mindset in America’s youth and to help them approach the future with vigor and confidence in their ability to launch their own ventures.

About NFTE Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is an international nonprofit that empowers youth to tackle challenges as tenacious innovators and global citizens. Through our project-based curriculum, we develop the entrepreneurial mindset in young people and build their knowledge about business startup, with a focus on youth from low-income communities. NFTE programs have reached over 600,000 young people since our founding in 1987.

Who are NFTE students? Semester or year-long class in a public or charter school or 2-week intensive BizCamp: at least 65 hours of instruction with a NFTE certified teacher and countless volunteers Low-income communities, high dropout risk population Learning the entrepreneurial mindset, looking to the future, planning for success Classroom & regional business plan competitions lead to the national challenge Find out more at

The Entrepreneurial Mindset Research suggests that an entrepreneurial mindset is not a fixed trait, but rather a set of skills and behaviors that can be taught, practiced, and cultivated. These skills and behaviors include: –Opportunity recognition –Comfort with risk –Creativity and innovation –Future orientation –Flexibility and adaptability –Initiative and self-direction –Critical thinking and problem solving –Communication and collaboration

About the Competition Every NFTE student is required to create an original business plan as the vehicle through which they learn and apply the business and financial concepts that NFTE teaches, while developing business ideas based on their own special interests and talents. NFTE students across the country compete in classroom and/or school- wide competitions each spring. The top students from around the country move on to compete in the national competition. The winner of the national finals in New York City in October receive a package worth $25,000 in scholarship, venture capital and other prizes.

The Judge’s Role First: is to assess these young entrepreneurs’ presentations as though you were considering an investment. Second: is to evaluate the entrepreneurial mindset displayed by the young entrepreneurs. NOTE: Having already started the business is of secondary importance to the overall quality and thoroughness of the business plan. Avoid giving extra “weight” to a plan that is operational versus a well thought-out and presented business idea.

The Presentations Challenge contestants will make an oral presentation of their business plan, accompanying a PowerPoint display that judges will also have printed. The presenters may only present one business card and one flyer to the judges. They may also display one sample of their product or service, which has been pre-approved by NFTE staff. You will also have a copy of their written Executive Summary (1 page). The presenters will have 8.5 minutes to present their plan, followed by 4 minutes of judges’ questions (the final round will often include six minutes of question time). There will be 2.5 minutes between each presenter for judges to make notes and record their scores. A volunteer tabulator will monitor the presentation with a stop-watch. Time limits will be strictly observed.

Judging Forms

The PowerPoint Presentation

Sample Slides

Additional Considerations PRESENTATION: Are the presenter’s stage presence and delivery clear, audible, and confident? Does s/he speak knowledgeably and enthusiastically, and appear professional (dress, behavior)? Did the entrepreneur establish a rapport with judges and audience (e.g. smile, eye contact, humor, and handshake), present information in a logical, persuasive manner, and provide a professional-looking presentation and marketing materials? Q&A: Does the presenter restate and clarify questions asked, provide a clear and comprehensive answer to the question asked; deliver clear explanations and responses to questions, and exhibit comprehension and tact?

Judges’ Questions We encourage judges to ask clarifying questions that allow the students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of their business opportunity, business model, market analysis, marketing plan, and finances. We also encourage questions to illustrate lessons learned specific to the entrepreneurial mindset. Your printed Judge’s Guidelines will include sample Questions and sample Feedback for you to review in advance.

Scoring: For each presenter, you will have a new for with the name of the business. Use pencil for the preliminary scores. Do not consult your fellow judges during preliminary scoring. Circle the score that best reflects your opinion. There are often more than one choice within one ‘level’. After all have presented, you may revise your scores, and then hand your forms to the Room Captain. The Room Captain will tabulate preliminary results based on the scores and deduction of any penalty points. Judges will then review the preliminary rankings as a panel, discussing specific points. Upon further reflection and after listening to the opinions of fellow judges, each judge will have the right to change his/her scores once and record a final score. The Room Captain will tabulate the final scores and report the winners’ names. There can be no ties.

Thank you! Questions?