named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
National Teachers’ Conference
Annual professional development event for VE educators featuring training, peer-led sessions, and community-building to strengthen classroom implementation.
VE Junior (VE-JV)
Program adaptation for middle school students that introduces foundational business and career readiness skills through simulated company experiences.
Virtual Enterprises (VE) Program
Immersive educational model where students create and manage simulated businesses, gaining hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, business operations, and collaboration.
Youth Business Summit (YBS)
National annual event where student-run businesses compete in business plan, marketing, finance, and sales pitch competitions and showcase their companies at an international trade exhibition in New York City.
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Youth Entrepreneurship & Financial Literacy Education 5 activities
- International Trade Exhibition for student-run businessesOrganizes an annual International Trade Exhibition at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, where over 200 student-run firms design and manage trade booths, deliver product pitches, and engage in real-time sales in a simulated marketplace.
- Regional business plan competition and trade showHosts a regional business plan competition and trade show for high school students from New York State and New England, featuring student-designed trade show booths and business plan presentations.
- School and district program implementation supportProvides schools and school districts with strategies and support to implement the Virtual Enterprises International (VEI) program, facilitating real-world learning activities for students.
- Youth Business Summit and national student competitionsHosts the annual Youth Business Summit, a national event that brings together over 4,000 student entrepreneurs from across the U.S. and abroad for business competitions, leadership experiences, and an international trade exhibition. The summit includes National Business Plan, Finance, Marketing, and Sales Pitch competitions, as well as an AI Challenge, with evaluation and mentorship from business leaders.
- Youth entrepreneurship programs through simulated businessesProvides middle and high school students with hands-on experience launching and managing simulated businesses, solving business challenges, and engaging with industry professionals through team collaboration. The program has served over 350,000 students nationwide since 1996.
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Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
- Professional development for educators and facilitatorsProvides capacity-building support to middle and high school educators through the National Teachers’ Conference and targeted professional development programs. Offers training for new VE facilitators on curriculum, implementation planning, and event participation, while engaging veteran facilitators to lead sessions and strengthen the educator community.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.72M
Contributions & grants$1.82M49%
Program service revenue$2.05M55%
Investment income$7K0%
Other revenue$-153K
expenses
Total expenses$3.91M
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising15%
Salaries & benefits$2.41M
Grants paid out$40K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.40M
Cash$250K
Investments$0
Liabilities$533K
Net assets$868K
Liquid reserves0.8 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -5.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOM SMITH | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $191K |
| EDUARDO BELTRE | CFOO | 40 | $170K |
| IRIS BLANC | FOUNDER | 40 | $150K |
| REBECCA MOONEY | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $134K |
| JILLIAN BERG | MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS | 40 | $131K |
| WENDY SCHMITT MANAGING | DIRECTOR CURRICULUM & PRO LEARNING | 40 | $121K |
| ELIZABETH PERSAUD SECRETARY | ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS | 40 | $89K |
board members · 18
- ASHLEY FINA — DIRECTOR
- CESAR GONZALEZ — DIRECTOR
- DAVID BANKS — DIRECTOR
- DEAN MCGEE — DIRECTOR
- DYLAN HUANG — DIRECTOR
- GREGG FISHER — DIRECTOR
- JAY LEWIS — DIRECTOR
- JAY NOVIK — DIRECTOR
- JOEL ALBARELLA — DIRECTOR
- JOHN PARTILLA — DIRECTOR
- JOSEPH P DELANEY — DIRECTOR
- KEVIN TARACENA — DIRECTOR
- MARIE MOODY — DIRECTOR
- MARY HAGGERTY — TREASURER
- MATTHEW CHASIN — DIRECTOR
- MATTHEW SANDFORD BOONE — DIRECTOR
- MAUREEN GILLAN-MYER — VICE CHAIR
- MELISSA AVILES-RAMOS — DIRECTOR
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- Community Bank N.A. Partner — Banking subsidiary of Community Financial System, Inc., operating in regions where VE expands its programs.
- Community Financial System, Inc. Funder — Invested $75,000 to expand college and career readiness programs in upstate New York.
- Community Financial System, Inc. Partner — Collaborates with VE to expand college and career readiness programs in upstate New York, including financial investment and board participation.
- Florida High School DECA Partner — Highlighted shared commitments to student leadership, competition, and career readiness during the 2025 National Teachers’ Conference.
- Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship Partner — Co-hosted the 2025 National Teachers’ Conference with Virtual Enterprises International.
- Jacob Javits Convention Center Partner — Hosted the International Trade Exhibition and other events during the Youth Business Summit.
- Jovia Financial Credit Union Partner — Provided sponsorship and educational opportunities for students on personal finance.
- LIU Partner — Hosted the 2026 New York State & New England Regional Business Plan Competition and Trade Show at LIU Post.
- Long Island University Brooklyn Partner — Hosted Youth Business Summit events at its campus.
- New York Life Foundation Funder — Naming sponsor of the 2026 Youth Business Summit, supporting student entrepreneurship.
- New York Life Foundation Partner — Title sponsor of the 2026 Youth Business Summit, providing financial support for the event.
- Nova Southeastern University Partner — Hosted the 2025 National Teachers’ Conference and collaborates on expanding commercial and residential real estate education for students.
- SIFMA Foundation Partner — Renewed partnership to bring the Stock Market Game and InvestQuest simulation to VE middle and high school programs.
- Santander Bank, N.A. Funder — Provided a $25,000 grant to support expansion of career-connected learning and workforce readiness programs.
- Santander Bank, N.A. Partner — Provides a $25,000 grant and employee volunteer support including mentoring, guest speaking, judging, and career coaching for VEI students.
- United Federation of Teachers Partner — Hosted Youth Business Summit events at its headquarters venue.
- VE-JV Partner — Collaborates on programs supporting student success.
strategies · 1
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Experiential Learning Through Simulated Entrepreneurshipmethodology: experiential_learningBy engaging students in the creation and management of virtual companies, including business planning, competitions, and presentations to industry professionals, students develop durable career skills, professionalism, and confidence because hands-on, real-world simulation deepens learning and motivation.