What started as a bold idea in a NEIA classroom has now become a global movement. The NEXTGEN Summit, founded last year at New England Innovation Academy (NEIA) by student entrepreneur Langston Reid, began as a platform to empower young innovators. After its successful launch at NEIA in 2024, the summit returned earlier this month for its second year, once again bringing together students, business leaders, and mentors at NEIA to celebrate entrepreneurship and bold thinking. This year, the momentum didn’t stop there — NEXTGEN went global.
The 2025 NEXTGEN Summit in Costa Rica was a remarkable celebration of youth-driven innovation and international collaboration. Hosted at the Lincoln School in San Jose, the event brought together over 150 attendees, including ambitious students, business leaders, educators, and professors — all united by a passion for entrepreneurship and making a difference.
Leading the charge was 12th grader Langston Reid, alongside regional NEXTGEN CEOs Alexia and Alberto from the Lincoln School. The summit showcased the power of young minds coming together to create, pitch, and refine ideas with the support of a global network. One of the day’s highlights was the $300 pitch competition, where aspiring entrepreneurs presented their business concepts to a panel of judges, receiving invaluable real-world feedback to sharpen their ideas.
The event would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors, including NEIA Next, Molecular Concepts, New England Innovation Academy, Jean Jones, and a host of local businesses from both New England and Costa Rica. Behind the scenes, the dedication of Lily Fu, NEIA’s Head of Collaborations and Strategic Partnerships, and the exceptional faculty at the Lincoln School played a crucial role in ensuring the summit’s success.
NEIA 12th graders Owen O’Brien, Victoria Leeth, and Langston Reid traveled to Costa Rica to co-host the event, made possible through sponsorships and the growth of their startup, NEXTGEN. Their time in Costa Rica wasn’t just about the summit — they also explored the country, engaged with local entrepreneurs, and built meaningful cross-cultural connections. One standout moment was their collaboration with the President of the Entrepreneurship Society at the Lincoln School, strengthening global ties in the youth entrepreneurship community.
With the excitement and energy from this year’s summit still buzzing, anticipation is already building for NEXTGEN 2026. The plan is to once again host the event at the Lincoln School, expanding its reach to welcome even more young innovators from across the region.
What started as a local event at NEIA has blossomed into a global platform for aspiring entrepreneurs, proving that when students take ownership of their ideas, the possibilities are endless. As Langston and much of his founding team prepare for their next chapters in college and beyond, the future of NEXTGEN is in capable hands — Marcus Chin, a current 8th grader, will step into the role of CEO, ensuring the summit’s spirit of innovation and collaboration lives on. Year after year, NEXTGEN continues to show the world that the bold ideas of today’s students are shaping the innovations of tomorrow.
