Next Up: Top 18 Under 18 is a tri-county youth recognition initiative presented by the Entrepreneur Education & Development Center (TEEDC). The initiative honors young leaders ages 13–18 from Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties who are already making a meaningful impact in their schools and communities.

This effort is intentionally designed to celebrate leadership early—recognizing students for character, commitment, and real-world impact, not popularity or titles. Leadership may be demonstrated through service, innovation, creativity, advocacy, wellness initiatives, athletics, or academic excellence.

Why This Matters

South Florida is home to extraordinary young talent. Across our communities, students are stepping up as leaders long before leadership is expected of them—organizing initiatives, supporting peers, creating solutions, and showing up with purpose.

Next Up: Top 18 Under 18 provides a regional platform to affirm these young people at a pivotal moment, bringing families, educators, community leaders, and partners together to celebrate youth leadership with intention and care.

As part of this recognition, eighteen students are honored to represent excellence across Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties. Honorees are selected through a thoughtful evaluation process guided by an Advisory & Selection Board composed of leaders from education, community organizations, philanthropy, and civic leadership. Students are considered based on leadership, impact, consistency, character, and potential.

Why Partner With Us

Supporting Next Up: Top 18 Under 18 is an opportunity to align with a thoughtfully structured initiative grounded in youth development, education, and community leadership.

Partners help make possible:

A high-quality recognition experience for students and families
Professional program coordination and execution
Student recognition materials
Community and education leader engagement

Most importantly, partners help ensure that young leaders are seen, affirmed, and encouraged at a defining stage in their journey.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Presenting Partner — $10,000
Recognition as the Presenting Partner of Next Up: Top 18 Under 18, including name inclusion on key event materials, acknowledgment during the recognition program, logo placement on the official Next Up webpage, and inclusion in post-event appreciation communications.
Limited to one partner.

Tri-County Partner — $2,500
Recognition as a supporting partner for one county (Palm Beach, Broward, or Miami-Dade), logo placement on the Next Up webpage, acknowledgment during the recognition program, and inclusion in partner appreciation communications.

Leadership Supporter — $1,000
Name recognition on the Next Up webpage, acknowledgment in event materials, and inclusion in post-event appreciation listing.

Community Supporter — $500
Name recognition on the Next Up webpage and inclusion in partner thank-you listing.

NEXT UP: 18/18 Sponorship

Recognizing the Leaders of Tomorrow, Today.