The Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs (GSE) is now accepting applications for its Summer Startup program for high school students and its Collegiate Pitch competition for college-age entrepreneurs.
In 2025, GSE will partner with the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics to host the Summer Startup program, while its Collegiate Pitch competition will take place at Thomas More University.
Kentucky high school and college students can apply for these transformational, free programs at kentuckygse.com.
“Our home-grown entrepreneurs are essential for Kentucky as we continue to grow our economy, and we’re already benefiting from the businesses and patents that have developed from GSE alums since it started over 10 years ago,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “With the help of experts and other entrepreneurs, this program offers today’s high school and college leaders the opportunity to turn their dreams into a reality.”
GSE Summer Startup
Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 GSE Summer Startup from all Kentucky 9th-, 10th-, and 11th-grade students interested in entrepreneurship. Applications will be accepted until 11 p.m. EST on Jan. 21. GSE does not consider grade-point averages or standardized test scores in its application. During the immersive three-week program, students will live on campus at the University of Kentucky in Lexington from June 22 to July 13.
The intensive, nontraditional learning experience develops entrepreneurial skills with a lifelong impact. The goal of GSE is to help foster economic growth across the Commonwealth by supporting the business dreams of students who have the drive and passion to be entrepreneurs and create jobs that support economic growth in Kentucky.
GSE Collegiate Pitch
GSE’s Collegiate Pitch program is Kentucky’s largest intercollegiate pitch competition with thousands of dollars in funding awards, along with valuable feedback from entrepreneurial experts. The competition encourages innovation and entrepreneurship by providing opportunities for college students to develop and pursue their business ideas and rewards businesses judged to be most likely to produce successful ventures that create jobs for Kentuckians.
The competition will take place March 1, at Thomas More University in Crestview Hills. As a first step in the application process, interested students must submit the required Intent to Compete form by Dec. 6. The form and more information about Collegiate Pitch can be found at kentuckygse.com. Funding awards range from $3,000 to $15,000.
“We want students to know Kentucky and GSE are here to support their entrepreneurial enterprises in the Bluegrass State,” said Anne Jewell, president and CEO of GSE. “Starting in high school, continuing through college, and after that as alumni, GSE is a consistent resource to help their businesses succeed in communities across the Commonwealth. We’re delighted to partner with the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics and Thomas More University in this exciting mission.”
Kentucky was one of the first states in the nation to create a Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs. To date, 1,099 high school students have graduated from GSE’s Summer Startup program since it began in 2013. Each year, millions of dollars in scholarships are available to GSE graduates from colleges and universities all across Kentucky. Dozens of businesses have been launched in Kentucky by Summer Startup graduates and several patents have been filed. Through GSE’s Collegiate Pitch, student entrepreneurs at 19 colleges, representing more than 40 Kentucky-based businesses, have been funded since 2019.
The Governors School for Entrepreneurs