Ivan Soto-Wright Inspires the Next Generation at JA Miami's Historic Company Program Competition
On April 13, 2026, at Miami-Dade College, Ivan Soto-Wright, the influential CEO and founder of MoonPay and the Soto-Wright Foundation, graced the stage to deliver a keynote address at Junior Achievement of Greater Miami's 4th Annual Company Program Competition. This event wrapped up a remarkable year for JA Miami, with a record 2,054 students from 20 schools forming an impressive 70 student-run companies.
This occasion was particularly meaningful for Soto-Wright, who fondly recalled his own experiences with the Junior Achievement program in Boston as a teenager. Those formative moments were instrumental in teaching him the fundamentals of business—market research, product development, financial management, and teamwork. He reflected, "Junior Achievement gave me a framework for thinking about business before I even knew what entrepreneurship really meant. Seeing these students go through the same process—creating something tangible, pitching ideas, and competing—that's where it starts."
The JA Company Program stands out as one of the largest entrepreneurship programs in the United States. Participants engage in all phases of developing a business, including selection of business concepts, market research, budgeting, prototyping, marketing, sales, and finalizing accounts with profit-loss statements at the academic year's conclusion. This year, the competition saw 70 companies narrowed down to just 10 finalists from six high schools in Miami-Dade County. Each finalist presented their business ideas to a panel of esteemed judges, comprised of JA Miami board members, local entrepreneurs, and community leaders. The triumphant team was awarded $400 for each member and was highly recommended to represent at Junior Achievement USA's national competition.
The program's success is notable. Last year, Miami's top two teams were selected to participate in the national Future Bound Summit. One of the standout teams from Coral Gables Senior High School was honored the ICE Best Financial Performance Award, while a team from Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School won the prestigious Student Choice Award.
The Soto-Wright Foundation's support for JA Miami stems from Ivan Soto-Wright’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship education. His family established the foundation with the straightforward mission of providing young individuals the mentorship, resources, and real-world experiences necessary to actualize their ambitions. Programs like JA's Company Program epitomize that mission; students are not merely reading about business concepts in textbooks—they are running genuine enterprises, confronting authentic challenges similar to any founder, making impactful decisions under constraints, leading teams, and selling products that cater to real consumer needs.
Lourdes Diaz, the Chief Academic Officer of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, shared the stage with Soto-Wright, emphasizing the program's role in linking students with local mentors and business leaders. Lourdes de la Mata Little, the President and CEO of JA Miami, highlighted that the initiative is essential in building a pipeline of talent for the expanding tech and innovation community in Miami.
Each year, Junior Achievement of Greater Miami reaches upwards of 38,000 public students in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, offering free lessons focusing on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. These lessons are administered through public schools with assistance from educational partners and enthusiastic volunteers from the local community. In recognition of their significant impact, JA Miami was recently awarded the esteemed Five Star Status for 2023-2024 from JA USA, along with the 2024 NOVO Award from the Miami Chamber of Commerce.
Through events like the Company Program Competition, JA Miami not only nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit but also prepares students for a future where they can contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond. The enthusiasm and creativity exhibited by the students this year reflect a bright future for both Miami's economy and upcoming generations of innovators.
This occasion was particularly meaningful for Soto-Wright, who fondly recalled his own experiences with the Junior Achievement program in Boston as a teenager. Those formative moments were instrumental in teaching him the fundamentals of business—market research, product development, financial management, and teamwork. He reflected, "Junior Achievement gave me a framework for thinking about business before I even knew what entrepreneurship really meant. Seeing these students go through the same process—creating something tangible, pitching ideas, and competing—that's where it starts."
The JA Company Program stands out as one of the largest entrepreneurship programs in the United States. Participants engage in all phases of developing a business, including selection of business concepts, market research, budgeting, prototyping, marketing, sales, and finalizing accounts with profit-loss statements at the academic year's conclusion. This year, the competition saw 70 companies narrowed down to just 10 finalists from six high schools in Miami-Dade County. Each finalist presented their business ideas to a panel of esteemed judges, comprised of JA Miami board members, local entrepreneurs, and community leaders. The triumphant team was awarded $400 for each member and was highly recommended to represent at Junior Achievement USA's national competition.
The program's success is notable. Last year, Miami's top two teams were selected to participate in the national Future Bound Summit. One of the standout teams from Coral Gables Senior High School was honored the ICE Best Financial Performance Award, while a team from Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School won the prestigious Student Choice Award.
The Soto-Wright Foundation's support for JA Miami stems from Ivan Soto-Wright’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship education. His family established the foundation with the straightforward mission of providing young individuals the mentorship, resources, and real-world experiences necessary to actualize their ambitions. Programs like JA's Company Program epitomize that mission; students are not merely reading about business concepts in textbooks—they are running genuine enterprises, confronting authentic challenges similar to any founder, making impactful decisions under constraints, leading teams, and selling products that cater to real consumer needs.
Lourdes Diaz, the Chief Academic Officer of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, shared the stage with Soto-Wright, emphasizing the program's role in linking students with local mentors and business leaders. Lourdes de la Mata Little, the President and CEO of JA Miami, highlighted that the initiative is essential in building a pipeline of talent for the expanding tech and innovation community in Miami.
Each year, Junior Achievement of Greater Miami reaches upwards of 38,000 public students in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, offering free lessons focusing on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. These lessons are administered through public schools with assistance from educational partners and enthusiastic volunteers from the local community. In recognition of their significant impact, JA Miami was recently awarded the esteemed Five Star Status for 2023-2024 from JA USA, along with the 2024 NOVO Award from the Miami Chamber of Commerce.
Through events like the Company Program Competition, JA Miami not only nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit but also prepares students for a future where they can contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond. The enthusiasm and creativity exhibited by the students this year reflect a bright future for both Miami's economy and upcoming generations of innovators.
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