Kevin Navarro, a 17-year-old junior at Nimitz High School, was named a runner-up at the annual Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) South Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge last week at Comerica Bank’s Business & Innovation Hub in Frisco. His finish earned him a spot at the national finals in New York.
Navarro presented Choose Bake Now, a cake baking service designed to provide cakes for last-minute shoppers.
The event featured the South region’s top young entrepreneurs pitching original and innovative business plans to a panel of judges. Winners received a first-place prize of $1,500, second place at $1,000, third place at $500, and two runner-up prizes of $100.
All seven finalists from the South region, including Navarro, earned trips to New York City to compete against 47 other regional winners at the NFTE 2025 National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on October 8. Comerica Bank also awarded each winner a new iPad to help them prepare for the national competition.
Official Results:
- 1st Place: Kamsi Dukes & Aaira Masood from Grand Prairie School for the Highly Gifted in Grand Prairie, Texas, with their business idea Child Guardian, a watch that can ping a teacher’s phone in situations where problems, including bullying, arise.
- 2nd Place: Jonathan Campos from Career Institute North in Dallas, Texas, with his business idea JC Productions, a premier drone service offering professional aerial cinematography.
- 3rd Place: J. Cruz Malagon & Raul Torres, Jr. from Price Career Institute in Dallas, Texas, 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, Texas, 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, Texas, with her business idea Lexi’s Sweet Treats, homemade dairy-free cookies that come in many flavors.
"We are incredibly proud of the accomplishments of our NFTE South students,” said Jennifer Lunt, NFTE South Lead Program Associate. "Their achievements are a testament to their innovation, resilience, and dedication—not only to their business ventures but also to the betterment of their communities. 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. We also extend heartfelt gratitude to the passionate educators and supportive families who have guided and uplifted them along the way."
