NEW YORK, April 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- On Tuesday, April 9, Virtual Enterprises International (VEI) students from the U.S. (including students from 48 NYC high schools) and throughout the world, will collaborate in multinational teams to examine the challenges, opportunities and risks involved in a global business in the Global Business Challenge. Student teams working on a business case study will have 2 hours to analyze company data, identify relevant information for the assigned task and prepare a business strategy to present to industry judges. The Global Business Challenge will kick off on Tuesday, April 9 at 9:00 a.m. at NYU's Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, New York City. The Global Business Challenge is sponsored by HSBC Bank, and HSBC employees will directly participate as volunteer advisers, mentors and coaches to students as they sharpen business-critical skills such as analysis, decision-making, communications and collaboration. On Wednesday, April 10, teams of aspiring young entrepreneurs from 21 high schools across the country (including 4 teams from New York City) will compete for top prizes in the 9th annual VEI National Business Plan Competition sponsored by the New York Life Foundation. The Competition will be held at The McGraw-Hill Companies, 1221 Avenue of Americas, New York City, one of VEI's premier business partners. The National Business Plan Competition challenges student teams from across the country (previous winners from statewide competitions), to demonstrate their global business expertise through written business plans and oral presentations. It showcases best practices, rewards excellence and allows high school students to apply sophisticated knowledge and skills normally attributed to business professionals and college students. It also offers students the opportunity to participate in an exciting learning experience that inspires innovative thinking and paves the way for the creation of new business ideas and solutions. The panels of judges for both competitions come from the global corporate and financial communities and include Mark Flamendorf of the McConnel Group, Monica Blair of Credit Suisse, Rosalind Danner of McGraw Hill Financial, Michele Chow-Tai of TIAA-CREF, Victor Sowers of HSBC, Seth Harris and Al Mills of American Express, Ed Weis of Mercy College, Fukiko Ogisu of Viacom Networks and Daria Sheehan of Citi Foundation. About Virtual Enterprises International: With a network of over 5,000 virtual businesses in more than 42 countries, VEI is regarded by governments and private sector companies as one of the most effective programs for preparing young people to succeed in college and the workforce. Piloted in New York City Public Schools, VEI is an in-school, year-long entrepreneurship program in which students create and manage a virtual business with the guidance of a teacher and a business executive. Among the highlights of the VEI experience is the opportunity to gather with peers from around the globe each spring for the VEI Youth Business Summit, which includes the National Business Plan Competition and Global Business Challenge and culminates with the International Trade Show. The VEI Youth Business Summit is sponsored by the New York Life Foundation and HSBC Bank. For the media: This will be an inspirational and high-drama event well suited for educational and New York City media with excellent on-site visuals of winning teams and emotional student/teacher/parent reactions. Media Contact: Deni Frand Virtual Enterprises International, 212-769-2710 ext 8, dfrand@veinternational.org SOURCE Virtual Enterprises International