By Heather Stone, Senior Correspondent
Arlo Pangilinan, a talented student from Oxon Hill High School in Maryland, recently took first place at the 2025 NFTE Capital Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. Held on May 31, this regional competition spotlighted some of the most promising young entrepreneurs from the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Arlo’s winning venture, ScholarSync, offers innovative digital planners and time management tools specifically designed to help high school students better organize their academic and personal lives.
This victory not only awards Arlo a $3,000 prize but also a coveted spot in the national finals, scheduled for October 8, 2025, in New York City. His achievement highlights the rapidly growing trend of youth entrepreneurship across the United States and emphasizes how young people are increasingly embracing business skills to solve real-world problems.
ScholarSync: Revolutionizing Student Time Management
ScholarSync aims to provide high school students with practical, easy-to-use digital tools to optimize their daily schedules and reduce academic stress. The platform offers customizable digital planners that work within popular organizational apps like Notion, allowing students to build personalized timetables, task lists, and study routines tailored to their unique needs.
Arlo designed ScholarSync after noticing how many of his peers struggled to juggle homework, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments effectively. By creating a tool that helps students plan their time better, he hopes to boost productivity and reduce anxiety caused by poor organization.
Beyond just digital planners, ScholarSync offers one-on-one 30-minute online consultations to guide students on how to use the platform optimally and adopt effective time management strategies. Arlo envisions this combination of technology and mentorship as a powerful way to support students in achieving academic success while maintaining healthy life balance.
The NFTE Capital Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
The NFTE Capital Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is a respected regional competition that encourages high school entrepreneurs to develop, pitch, and refine their business ideas. This event provides participants with invaluable experience in public speaking, business planning, and networking while competing for seed funding to launch or expand their ventures.
This year’s event drew a diverse group of innovative young people from across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. The judging panel featured experienced professionals from financial services, technology, and consulting industries who evaluated the competitors based on creativity, feasibility, impact, and presentation skills.
Winning first place among such strong competition was a remarkable achievement for Arlo, affirming the strength of his idea and the clarity of his vision for ScholarSync. The prize money and national finalist position will give him the resources and platform to further develop his startup and expand its reach.
Growing Momentum in Youth Entrepreneurship
Arlo’s success with ScholarSync exemplifies a broader national trend: more young people are embracing entrepreneurship earlier in life. Programs like NFTE play a crucial role in cultivating this spirit by offering hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, and opportunities to turn ideas into actionable business ventures.
Youth entrepreneurship programs equip students with essential skills such as critical thinking, financial literacy, leadership, and resilience—traits that not only help in business but also enhance academic and personal growth. The trend reflects an increasing recognition that entrepreneurial skills are valuable beyond traditional career paths.
This movement has been growing steadily over the last decade, fueled by greater access to technology, social media platforms, and educational initiatives that encourage innovation. As more youth-driven ventures gain visibility and success, they inspire peers to pursue their own entrepreneurial ambitions.
Looking Ahead: National Finals and Beyond
With the national finals on the horizon, Arlo is preparing to present ScholarSync on an even bigger stage. The upcoming competition will gather regional winners from across the country, creating a vibrant showcase of youth innovation and entrepreneurship.
Arlo plans to use this opportunity not only to compete for the national title and additional funding but also to connect with mentors, investors, and fellow young entrepreneurs. His journey from a high school student identifying a common problem to a confident founder demonstrates the potential of youth-led ventures to generate impactful solutions.
ScholarSync’s focus on helping students manage their academic workload resonates widely, especially as educational demands continue to increase. If successful on the national stage, Arlo hopes to expand ScholarSync’s offerings and make it accessible to students across the United States.
Conclusion
Arlo Pangilinan’s victory at the NFTE Capital Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is a testament to the power of youth innovation and the importance of supporting young entrepreneurs. His project, ScholarSync, addresses a real need faced by millions of students and offers a practical solution that combines technology and personalized support.
As youth entrepreneurship continues to grow nationwide, programs like NFTE will remain vital in providing the resources, guidance, and platforms necessary to empower the next generation of business leaders. Arlo’s journey serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved when young people are encouraged to think creatively and take initiative.
