Atlanta Nonprofit Provides Startup Capital to Underserved High School Students
NEST (New Entrepreneurs Shaping Tomorrow), a nonprofit based in Atlanta, is addressing the lack of financial and business education among underserved youth by offering mentorship, seminars, and seed funding. The program targets high school students from low-income, immigrant, and refugee backgrounds who often graduate without basic knowledge of budgeting or entrepreneurship. Since its launch, NEST has engaged over 70 students, delivered more than 65 hours of free business education, raised $29,000 in funding for student startups, and supported the development of 14 new companies. The nonprofit also partners with six Georgia-based programs and is expanding to Florida. Students participate by pitching original business ideas through a competition where winners receive mentorship and financial support. Recent awardees include Halelulya Tesfamariam’s StockSmart, which received $2,500 in funding.
Topics: financial literacy nonprofits refugee support youth entrepreneurship