Gen Entrepreneur is a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and supporting the next generation of female business founders. Only 2% of venture capital funding goes to businesses founded by women.
The Gen E Challenge teaches girls about entrepreneurship
Over the course of a few months, teams of young women will be connected with expert mentors who will help them create their own business plan. The challenge will culminate in a Shark Tank style event where teams will present their ideas to a panel of judges for the opportunity to kick start their business with prizes from our partners.
Katie Lee and Sophia Vilela are both 10th grade students at the Potomac School. Their friendship began in 4th grade, but the girls grew closer through their experiences on the same robotics team. They have done robotics together for three years so far, winning numerous awards and qualifying for the Virginia State Championship multiple times. In spending time together, the girls found a common interest in entrepreneurship.
After many conversations with advisors, Gen Entrepreneur was born. It took many late nights, but the nonprofit has finally developed into what they had planned. The girls are committed to empowering young women in everything they do, and this was the inspiration behind Gen Entrepreneur.
About Katie Katie enjoys playing golf and doing robotics. She is a leader of her school’s Fem n’ STEM club and a member of the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Board of Directors. She is also working on an original research project about robotics and cardiac ablation.
About Sophia Sophia enjoys playing soccer and doing robotics. She plays for the Arlington Soccer Association, is an avid member of her school Hispanic Student Alliance and the Fellowship of Christians in Universities & Schools (FOCUS).