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16-year-old Clara McDonnell won the 2025 World Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge for her venture Vax Chill, a compact cooling solution designed to preserve livestock vaccines and reduce wastage in rural farms.
The annual contest is run by nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), which has a global network of licensed partners working to support the business potential of students across the world.
This year, 34 student entrepreneurs from 13 countries competed in the contest. The budding entrepreneurs also participated in workshops, coaching sessions and networking opportunities.
McDonnell represented Foróige, a licensed NFTE partner in Ireland that offers an entrepreneurship programme for young people that helps develop business concepts into reality.
The teenager won the Irish national finals for the contest earlier this year in Dublin, before moving on the New York for the final round, where she won the $5,000 grand prize.
Other winners included Đỗ Đức Anh Lê and Mai Anh Lê from Vietnam, who received a $1,000 prize for their business idea Optimal Optics, a smart eyewear start-up that combines robotics, and AI for everyday wellness.
Carlos Morret from Mexico also received $1,000 for his business idea Tláloc, a digital twin for water networks designed to help save water.
“The creativity and leadership these young entrepreneurs demonstrate each year is inspiring,” said Dr JD LaRock, the president and CEO of NFTE.
“Whether they’re tackling climate challenges, reimagining healthcare or expanding access to technology, NFTE students are proving that entrepreneurial thinking transcends borders and drives meaningful change.”
Nearly 2,000 projects were entered into the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition coming this January, as the new title sponsor gets ready to run the annual event for the first time. The exhibition will take place from 7 to 10 January 2026.
Suhasini Srinivasaragavan
This article originally appeared on www.siliconrepublic.com and can be found here
The annual contest is run by nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), which has a global network of licensed partners working to support the business potential of students across the world.
This year, 34 student entrepreneurs from 13 countries competed in the contest. The budding entrepreneurs also participated in workshops, coaching sessions and networking opportunities.
McDonnell represented Foróige, a licensed NFTE partner in Ireland that offers an entrepreneurship programme for young people that helps develop business concepts into reality.
The teenager won the Irish national finals for the contest earlier this year in Dublin, before moving on the New York for the final round, where she won the $5,000 grand prize.
Other winners included Đỗ Đức Anh Lê and Mai Anh Lê from Vietnam, who received a $1,000 prize for their business idea Optimal Optics, a smart eyewear start-up that combines robotics, and AI for everyday wellness.
Carlos Morret from Mexico also received $1,000 for his business idea Tláloc, a digital twin for water networks designed to help save water.
“The creativity and leadership these young entrepreneurs demonstrate each year is inspiring,” said Dr JD LaRock, the president and CEO of NFTE.
“Whether they’re tackling climate challenges, reimagining healthcare or expanding access to technology, NFTE students are proving that entrepreneurial thinking transcends borders and drives meaningful change.”
Nearly 2,000 projects were entered into the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition coming this January, as the new title sponsor gets ready to run the annual event for the first time. The exhibition will take place from 7 to 10 January 2026.
Suhasini Srinivasaragavan
This article originally appeared on www.siliconrepublic.com and can be found here
