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DC Startup & Tech Week Youth Entrepreneurship & Innovation Weekend

NEXTGENPRENEUR
DAY 2026

Build • Create • Lead

Two unforgettable days where young people don’t just hear about entrepreneurship, leadership and AI. They experience it.

Early Bird Registration Now Open

WhenOCTOBER 17 & 18, 2026
WhereALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
WhoMIDDLE + HIGH SCHOOL · AGES 11 TO 18
This yearTHE 2026 EDITION

Curious?
Come explore.

Already building?
Bring it.

Whether she’s already building something, curious about AI, developing an idea or still discovering what excites her, NEXTGENPRENEUR Day gives young people a place to create, build, speak, connect and put real-world skills into action.

Come curious.

Leave with more than you came with.

October 17 & 18, 2026 · Alexandria, Virginia

This isn’t another
sit-and-listen
youth conference.

Participation is the point.

Over two days, attendees move between hands-on experiences, conversations with accomplished leaders, entrepreneurship, AI, pitching, creating and community.

Build.
Create.
Pitch.
Connect.

Build. Create. Pitch. Connect.

Build-a-thon

What will you
build next?

Students work together to build AI-powered solutions, putting creativity, problem solving, technology and teamwork into action.

Students building together at laptops with a mentor
Student working hands-on with technology at NEXTGENPRENEUR Day
AI Lab

Don’t just talk
about AI. Use it.

Get hands-on with AI and discover new ways to use emerging technology to create, solve and build.

Workshops

Less listening.
More doing.

Learn from entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders through interactive sessions designed to develop skills that extend beyond the classroom.

Student and mentor working together during a workshop
Youth Pitch Competition

Got something
worth sharing?
Pitch it.

Young founders and aspiring entrepreneurs take the stage to pitch their businesses and business ideas to a panel of judges and compete for prizes.

Separate application required. Attendees must be registered for NEXTGENPRENEUR Day to participate.

Apply for the pitch competition →
Girl speaking at a microphone in front of a wall of big ideas
Young entrepreneur at her table with the A-to-Z colouring books she created
Youth Entrepreneur Marketplace

Built something?
Sell it.

Young business owners and creators can showcase and sell their products while gaining real-world entrepreneurial experience.

Marketplace participation requires application/approval and NEXTGENPRENEUR Day registration.

Apply for the marketplace →
Leaders + experts

Access changes
what’s possible.

Meet accomplished founders, executives, innovators, civic leaders and professionals who expand how young people think about leadership, opportunity and their futures.

Full room of families and students at a previous NEXTGENPRENEUR Day
Community

The room matters.

Meet young people from different schools and communities who are building, exploring, creating and figuring out what’s next too.

About forty attendees gathered together at NEXTGENPRENEUR Day

Two days that change what she thinks is possible.

Two days. One weekend. Her seat is waiting.

Special keynote

A conversation with
the Mayor of Alexandria

Mayor Alyia Gaskins

Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia

Leadership becomes more tangible when young people can see it, question it and engage with it up close.

The Mayor of Alexandria joins NEXTGENPRENEUR Day for a special conversation exploring leadership, community, opportunity and what the next generation can begin doing now to prepare themselves to lead.

Official portrait of Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia

Our young leaders won’t simply be
watching from the audience.

Be in the room for the keynote.

Past speakers + leaders

The kind of people
our young founders get in the room with.

CEOs âś¦Founders âś¦Government officials âś¦Educators âś¦Investors âś¦Engineers âś¦AI researchers âś¦Attorneys âś¦Physicians âś¦Media executives âś¦Nonprofit leaders âś¦Product designers âś¦Bankers âś¦Scientists âś¦CEOs âś¦Founders âś¦Government officials âś¦Educators âś¦Investors âś¦Engineers âś¦AI researchers âś¦Attorneys âś¦Physicians âś¦Media executives âś¦Nonprofit leaders âś¦Product designers âś¦Bankers âś¦Scientists âś¦
Scientists âś¦Bankers âś¦Product designers âś¦Nonprofit leaders âś¦Media executives âś¦Physicians âś¦Attorneys âś¦AI researchers âś¦Engineers âś¦Investors âś¦Educators âś¦Government officials âś¦Founders âś¦CEOs âś¦Scientists âś¦Bankers âś¦Product designers âś¦Nonprofit leaders âś¦Media executives âś¦Physicians âś¦Attorneys âś¦AI researchers âś¦Engineers âś¦Investors âś¦Educators âś¦Government officials âś¦Founders âś¦CEOs âś¦
Judges at a previous NEXTGENPRENEUR Day pitch competition
Speaker addressing attendees with a branded NEXTGENPRENEUR microphone
Attendee showing her phone to a mentor
Finalist speaking at the microphone

2026 speakers announced soon.

This is
NEXTGENPRENEUR Day.

Attendees together at NEXTGENPRENEUR Day Young entrepreneur at her marketplace table with jars she made Attendees seated and smiling A full room at NEXTGENPRENEUR Day a sale at the youth marketplace Attendee making a real sale at her marketplace stall Young founder at NEXTGENPRENEUR Day Attendee smiling at the camera in a room of laptops Full room at NEXTGENPRENEUR Day

This is what the weekend looks like.

Youth Pitch Competition

She pitched.
The room listened.

Every year, young founders take the stage in front of a panel of judges, and walk off it with feedback, recognition and prizes. These are finalists and grand prize winners from previous editions.

Grand prize winner with judges and partners at a previous NEXTGENPRENEUR Day
Grand prize winner
2024 edition
Pitch finalist speaking on stage at a previous NEXTGENPRENEUR Day
Pitch finalist
2024 edition
Pitch Competition winner with the judging panel at a previous NEXTGENPRENEUR Day
Winner, with the judging panel
2023 edition
Pitch Competition finalists together at a previous NEXTGENPRENEUR Day
Pitch Competition finalists
2023 edition

Since 2019

1,127

Young people impacted

4

Cities worldwide

Washington DC · New York · London · Lagos

$10K+

In cash prizes to young founders

In their words

Ask the students
who were there.

Tap any interview to hear what the weekend did for her.

In their own words

Parents, partners
and the young founders.

“Thank you for having us. Sunday was such an amazing event. Both my daughter and I talked about how the event was just beautiful to experience.”
Parent
“We were so blessed to be around such powerful women and influential young ladies. I am blown away by what you are doing.”
Parent
“We didn’t know what to expect but we weren’t disappointed. Thank you so much for the time, energy and resources you pour into the girls.”
Parent
“It was such a wonderful and inspiring event in which the next generation of female leaders were evident in not only showcasing their products, but also their talent, their ability to connect powerfully with a crowd and their drive.”
Parent
“I thought I was there to just be a vendor but I gained so much being there. I was able to share space with awesome young business owners, artists, influencers, tech experts, investors and females in leadership. The energy in the room was everything.”
Youth vendor
“Thank you for having us. Sunday was such an amazing event. Both my daughter and I talked about how the event was just beautiful to experience.”
Parent
“We were so blessed to be around such powerful women and influential young ladies. I am blown away by what you are doing.”
Parent
“We didn’t know what to expect but we weren’t disappointed. Thank you so much for the time, energy and resources you pour into the girls.”
Parent
“It was such a wonderful and inspiring event in which the next generation of female leaders were evident in not only showcasing their products, but also their talent, their ability to connect powerfully with a crowd and their drive.”
Parent
“I thought I was there to just be a vendor but I gained so much being there. I was able to share space with awesome young business owners, artists, influencers, tech experts, investors and females in leadership. The energy in the room was everything.”
Youth vendor
“I was one of 3 finalists, and even though I didn’t win, I felt like I did, because I’m so proud of myself for getting in front of that crowd and those amazing young entrepreneurs and delivering my pitch.”
Pitch finalist
“I had the opportunity to vend at DC Startup Week and participate in a pitch competition alongside other teen entrepreneurs. Thank you for choosing to invest in my business.”
Youth vendor and pitch winner
“Thank you for all you do for her and all the young ladies to date. You have done a major work that most might not be aware of but is tremendously impactful.”
Parent
“We are so excited to be hosting this event at our center for the next generation of female entrepreneurs.”
Director, AU Center for Innovation, American University
“We are so excited to partner with NEXTGENPRENEUR and the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship at American University to host a youth entrepreneurship event with an expo, education content and a pitch competition.”
DC Startup Week
“I was one of 3 finalists, and even though I didn’t win, I felt like I did, because I’m so proud of myself for getting in front of that crowd and those amazing young entrepreneurs and delivering my pitch.”
Pitch finalist
“I had the opportunity to vend at DC Startup Week and participate in a pitch competition alongside other teen entrepreneurs. Thank you for choosing to invest in my business.”
Youth vendor and pitch winner
“Thank you for all you do for her and all the young ladies to date. You have done a major work that most might not be aware of but is tremendously impactful.”
Parent
“We are so excited to be hosting this event at our center for the next generation of female entrepreneurs.”
Director, AU Center for Innovation, American University
“We are so excited to partner with NEXTGENPRENEUR and the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship at American University to host a youth entrepreneurship event with an expo, education content and a pitch competition.”
DC Startup Week

Two days.
One big weekend.

Day one

Saturday
October 17, 2026

10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Build • Create

Day two

Sunday
October 18, 2026

11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Lead • Pitch

Build Mo · 5380 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304

Full program details coming soon

Saturday + Sunday · one registration.

The rooms she’s in now
shape what she believes
is possible.

Ambition is not the question. Access is.

NEXTGENPRENEUR Day isn’t only about what young people learn in a workshop. It is about the calibre of rooms, ideas, people and experiences they have access to while they are still deciding who they intend to become.

Academic achievement matters. So does the ability to communicate ideas, solve problems, use emerging technology, take initiative, build relationships and create opportunities.

Parent + guardian sessions

Parents and guardians have opportunities to take part in dedicated conversations, connect with one another and learn more about supporting young people as they navigate entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation and opportunities beyond the classroom.

Session details coming soon.

Parents and students seated together at NEXTGENPRENEUR Day

Give her the room. Register today.

Already building something?

Good.
Bring it.

Pitch it.

Apply for the Youth Pitch Competition and take the stage in front of judges.

Apply to pitch

Sell it.

Apply for the Youth Marketplace and sell what you’ve built in a real marketplace.

Apply for the marketplace

Event registration is required to participate.

The organization behind the weekend

Built for what happens
beyond the classroom.

NEXTGENPRENEUR prepares middle and high school girls to lead, build and thrive beyond the classroom through entrepreneurship, leadership, financial literacy, AI and hands-on learning.

Founder

Adeola “Dee” Ariyo-Enikanoselu

Featured on Good Morning Washington, ABC7 WJLA, FOX 5 DC and FOX 45 Baltimore.

Watch the ABC7 WJLA segment →

Segment aired September 2019 and features the founder’s previous organization.

2026 event partner
DC Startup & Tech Week 2026

NEXTGENPRENEUR Day 2026 is the Youth Entrepreneurship & Innovation Weekend of DC Startup & Tech Week.

Past partners + supporters

PayPalComcastAmerican UniversityMielle OrganicsCurlsAllstate FoundationWalmart

This weekend
is for her if…

She’s curious.

She’s creative.

She’s already building something.

She has an idea she wants to explore.

She’s curious about technology.

She wants to understand AI.

She wants to meet other interesting young people.

She’s still discovering what she loves.

She’s ready for experiences beyond the classroom.

Designed primarily for middle and high school girls ages 11 to 18. Boys ages 11 to 18 are also welcome to attend NEXTGENPRENEUR Day.

Registration

Secure
her seat.

One registration

Both days
included.

Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 · Alexandria, Virginia · Ages 11 to 18.

Early Bird Registration Now Open

Schools + organizations

Bringing
a group?

Schools, programs and organizations can bring a group of students. Reach out and the team will follow up with details.

admin@thenextgenpreneur.com

Questions,
answered.

What ages is NEXTGENPRENEUR Day for?

NEXTGENPRENEUR Day is designed for middle and high school students ages 11 to 18.

Does she need to already have a business?

No. Students do not need to own a business or arrive with the next big idea. Some come already running businesses or developing ideas. Others are simply curious about entrepreneurship, technology and what they could build. Both belong in the room.

Is it only for girls? Can boys attend?

NEXTGENPRENEUR Day is designed primarily for middle and high school girls ages 11 to 18. Boys ages 11 to 18 are also welcome to attend.

Does registration cover both days?

Yes. One registration provides access to NEXTGENPRENEUR Day programming on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18.

Can she attend only one day?

Yes. We encourage students to attend both days to get the full NEXTGENPRENEUR Day experience, but we understand that schedules may not allow it. Registration is for the full weekend and is not prorated for single day attendance.

Do parents attend with her?

Yes. Each student registration includes one accompanying parent or guardian pass. Parents and guardians will be included in designated programming and activities throughout the weekend. Additional parent programming and participation details will be shared with registered families before the event.

Is there programming for parents?

Yes. Parents and guardians will have opportunities to participate in dedicated programming and conversations, connect with other parents and learn more about supporting young people as they navigate entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation and opportunities beyond the classroom. Additional parent programming details will be shared with registered families before the event.

How does the Youth Pitch Competition work?

Young founders and builders can apply to pitch their businesses, ventures or ideas before a panel of judges for feedback, recognition and prizes. A separate application is required, and applicants must also be registered for NEXTGENPRENEUR Day. Selected finalists will receive additional competition details before the event.

How does the Youth Marketplace work?

The Youth Marketplace gives young entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase and sell what they have built in a real marketplace environment. Participation requires a separate application and approval, as well as registration for NEXTGENPRENEUR Day. Space is limited.

Does she need to register for the event before applying to pitch or sell?

Yes. NEXTGENPRENEUR Day registration is required to participate in the Youth Pitch Competition or Youth Marketplace.

Where is it held?

NEXTGENPRENEUR Day 2026 takes place at Build Mo, 5380 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304.

What should she wear?

Come comfortable, confident and ready to participate. We recommend smart casual attire and comfortable shoes, since students will be moving between sessions and hands-on activities. Pitch Competition finalists and Youth Marketplace participants will receive any additional guidance before the event.

What should she bring?

Students should bring a fully charged laptop or tablet if they have one, along with a charger and something to take notes with. Additional requirements for specific labs, the Pitch Competition or Youth Marketplace will be shared with registered families before the event.

Is food provided?

Yes. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Additional food and meal details will be shared with registered families before the event.

Is there parking?

Yes. Parking is available at the venue. Additional arrival and parking information will be shared with registered families before the event.

What is the refund policy?

Registration fees are nonrefundable.

Will photography or video be taken at the event?

Yes. Photography and video may be captured during NEXTGENPRENEUR Day for event documentation, marketing and promotional purposes. Parents or guardians will be asked to review and acknowledge the applicable media consent terms during registration.

Can a school or organization bring a group?

Yes. We welcome schools, youth organizations, churches, sports teams and other groups. Email admin@thenextgenpreneur.com and our team will follow up with group registration details.

How can my company sponsor NEXTGENPRENEUR Day?

We welcome companies and organizations interested in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders. Email admin@thenextgenpreneur.com to explore sponsorship and partnership opportunities.

Still have a question? Email admin@thenextgenpreneur.com and our team will be happy to help.

October 17 & 18, 2026 · Alexandria, Virginia

Sometimes one room
can change what a
young person believes
is possible.

Let this be
one of those rooms.

NEXTGENPRENEURDAY.COM

Oct 17 & 18