Kentucky high school students turned real-world problems into business ideas during the 2026 Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs (GSE) Summer Startup Program, gaining hands-on experience in innovation, teamwork and entrepreneurship. Their businesses offered solutions for issues ranging from dangerous heat conditions to helping children build confidence.
GSE identifies, inspires, and empowers Kentucky’s future innovators through its three-week Summer Startup program for high schoolers. This year, 147 students completed the program held at the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics June 20-July 12. The intensive, hands-on experience builds entrepreneurial skills with lifelong impact — helping drive economic growth across the Commonwealth by supporting the dreams of students passionate about creating jobs and businesses here in Kentucky.
“This program has helped develop some of the bright minds and businesses of tomorrow,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Team Kentucky is proud to support these students who continue to impress us with their innovation, creativity and hard work. Kentucky’s future is in great hands.”
The program culminates with an exciting two-day Pitch Fest where each team presents its business idea to a live audience and a panel of judges. The 30 teams were divided into the Hills League and the Hollers League, with the Hills pitching Saturday and the Hollers on Sunday. The top three teams are selected and awarded cash prizes: $1,000 for first place, $750 for second, and $500 for third.
2026 Pitch Fest Winners
Hills League Winners – Saturday
First Place: LightHouse Finance solves the problem of low financial literacy in middle school students with an interactive game using real-world scenarios to teach students smart spending, saving, and investing.
Team Members:
• Ruthvika Addala, Ballard High School (Jefferson County)
• Marley Chambliss, Caldwell County High School (Caldwell County)
• Nehemiah Collier, Hazard High School (Perry County)
• Elijah Driver, Villa Madonna Academy High School (Boone County)
• Knox Kelly, Carlisle County High School (Carlisle County)
Second Place: Souly Sugar helps customers struggling to find an all-natural, fully dissolvable, and convenient way to sweeten cold beverages by offering an individually packaged simple syrup.
Team Members:
• Menassa Al Garaw, Fairdale High School (Jefferson County)
• William Buckner, Covington Catholic High School (Kenton County)
• Olivia Joyce, Henderson County High School (Henderson County)
• Westyn Miles, Madisonville N. Hopkins High School (Hopkins County)
• Kadence Russell, Greenup County High School (Greenup County)
Third Place: ReSERVE addresses food waste by making it fast and easy for businesses to sell or donate surplus food rather than throwing it away.
Team Members:
• Vansh Chabhadiya, Ballard High School (Jefferson County)
• Bella McCarraher, Muhlenberg County High School (Muhlenberg County)
• Christopher-James Mills, Bullitt Central High School (Bullitt County)
• Elizabeth Pierce, Paul G. Blazer High School (Boyd County)
• Benjamin Sweeney, Bishop Brossart High School (Campbell County)
Hollers League Winners – Sunday
First Place: Bink is a wearable band for toddlers that monitors their health and relays vital information to parents’ phones.
Team members:
• Brindalyn Fawbush, North Laurel High School (Laurel County)
• Kaylee Kennedy, Henderson County High School (Henderson County)
• Kabir Singh, duPont Manual High School (Jefferson County)
• Nathaniel Sutton, Great Crossing High School (Scott County)
Second Place: GlowLine solves the problem of poor medical cable visibility in medical settings with a safe, durable, and versatile glow-in-the-dark spiral wrap that fits existing hospital cables.
Team members:
• Prisha Hedau, duPont Manual High School (Jefferson County)
• Ian Horseman, Somerset High School (Pulaski County)
• Shana Naik, Fern Creek High School (Jefferson County)
• Savanah Nguyen, Larry A. Ryle High School (Boone County)
• Abigail White, Henderson County High School (Henderson County)
Third Place: Green Gowns are biodegradable, customizable, full coverage hospital gowns for children so young patients don’t feel uncomfortable and exposed in regular hospital gowns.
Team members:
• Kerrick Boles, J. Graham Brown School (Jefferson County)
• Olivia Foy, North Oldham High School (Oldham County)
• Colton Lewis, Elliott County High School (Elliott County)
• Addison Renshaw, Christian County High School (Christian County)
• Lauren Spraggins, Lexington Christian Academy (Fayette County)
“GSE Summer Startup gives students the opportunity to build real-world skills, make meaningful connections and grow confidence in their ideas,” said Anne Jewell, president and CEO of GSE. “It also sends an important message to these young entrepreneurs – that Kentucky believes in their potential and wants to help them build their futures here in the commonwealth.”
Since its first year in 2013, GSE Summer Startup has graduated 1,405 high school students from 109 counties, including three new counties this summer. Graduates have launched dozens of businesses in Kentucky and even filed patents. Program graduates are also eligible for scholarships at Kentucky colleges and universities.
All Kentucky students in grades 9–11 are eligible to apply for the Summer Startup program. GSE does not consider GPA or test scores, and the program is free for all selected students thanks to funding from the state and generous public and private donors. The application for GSE’s 2027 Summer Startup program opens later this fall at kentuckygse.com.
Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs