Five North Texas student businesses have been honored by the global entrepreneurship education nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) as the winners of its annual South Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, hosted by Comerica Bank.

NFTE said the young entrepreneurs distinguished themselves through innovative business ideas, which they will present at the national finals in New York on Oct. 8 to compete for the National Champion title and cash prizes.

Jennifer Lunt, NFTE South Lead Program associate, called the students’ achievements “a testament to their innovation, resilience, and dedication—not only to their business ventures but also to the betterment of their communities.”

Dr. J.D. LaRock (in tan suit), CEO of global nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, poses alongside judges and staff with students whose business ideas won top recognition at the 2025 NFTE South Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. [Photo: NTFE]

“The level of excellence they brought to the competition far exceeded expectations, showcasing not just entrepreneurial talent, but also a profound sense of social responsibility,” Lunt added in a statement. “We also extend heartfelt gratitude to the passionate educators and supportive families who have guided and uplifted them along the way.”

The competitors pitched their original business concepts to a panel of judges at Comerica’s Business & Innovation Hub in Frisco. The judges included Melinda Chausse, senior EVP and chief credit officer at Comerica Bank; Lincoln Cohoon, tax principal at Ernst & Young LLP (EY US); Amari DeFrance, NFTE alumna and marketing coordinator for workforce development at the Dallas Independent School District; James McGee, president/chair at Southern Dallas Progress Community Development Corp.; and Kelli Vibert, VP, client services leader at Fidelity Investments.

The first-place winner will receive $1,500, the second-place winner receives $1,000, the third-place winner receives $500, and two runners up each receive $100.

Kamsi Dukes, 1st-place co-winner at South Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, presents Child Guardian, a watch that can ping a teacher’s phone in situations where problems, including bullying, arise. [Photo: Comerica Bank]

Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge results

Here are the winners:

First Place: Kamsi Dukes & Aaira Masood from Grand Prairie School for the Highly Gifted in Grand Prairie, with their business idea Child Guardian, a watch that can ping a teacher’s phone in situations where problems, including bullying, arise.

Second Place: Jonathan Campos from Career Institute North in Dallas, with his business idea JC Productions, a premier drone service offering professional aerial cinematography.

Third Place: J. Cruz Malagon & Raul Torres, Jr. from Price Career Institute in Dallas, with their business idea LittleLand Living, which provides simple, functional, and eco-friendly tiny homes that are affordable, customizable, and family friendly.

Runner up: Kevin Navarro from Nimitz High School in Irving, with his business idea Choose Bake Now, a cake baking service whose main mission is to provide cakes to those who are last-minute shoppers.

Runner up: Lexi Hoffman from Henry Longfellow Career Exploration Academy in Dallas, with her business idea Lexi’s Sweet Treats, homemade dairy-free cookies that come in many flavors.

NFTE said the event also honored individual Volunteer of the Year Meshell Baker and corporate Volunteer of the Year Fidelity Investments for their commitment to coaching and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.  

The NFTE South Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge was presented by EY US, with signature support from Santander Bank and associate support from PayPal and Zuora.

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