Summer Startup Program 2025's Pitchfest unveils victorious duo hailing from Northern Kentucky.
In the heart of the Bluegrass State, the Governor's School for Entrepreneurs (GSE) Summer Startup Program recently concluded its most successful session yet. Held at the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics, the three-week program saw 159 high school students from more than 100 counties tackle a variety of challenges.
The students worked on innovative projects, ranging from mental health solutions to heart failure detection, and even addressing social issues like exploitation and violence against teenage girls. One such project, Ever-Safe, is a safety bracelet aimed at preventing such exploitation. The team behind Ever-Safe includes Alisyn Caldwell, Lacey Burnley, Lucia Isenhart, Savannah Dunaway, and James-Anna Soto.
Another team, Knot a Problem, designed a magnetic jewelry box to prevent tangled jewelry while traveling. The brains behind this clever invention are Addison Reed, Alfredo Chagua, Kady Boaz, Panida Chetawatee, and Nina Zurad.
The Li-ON team, winners of the second place in the Hills League, focused on the improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries. They aim to remove these batteries from the waste stream before they reach landfills.
The Hollers League Winners of the 2025 Pitch Fest were Ever-Safe, Good Gear, and Knot a Problem. Good Gear, which aims to solve buyer's regret in sports goods with a customized AI-powered survey, was another standout project.
The program culminated in a two-day Pitch Fest, where teams presented their business ideas to a live audience and a panel of judges. The 2025 Pitch Fest judges included Kezia Ramsey, Marc Schuler, LaDaya Kami Owens, and David Hasler.
Since its inception in 2013, the GSE Summer Startup Program has graduated 1,258 high school students, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Kentucky. The application for the 2026 program will open later this fall at kentuckygse.com.
The GSE Summer Startup Program is typically backed by a combination of educational institutions, government offices, and private sector partners. However, the exact list of sponsors and major donors for the program can be found on the official GSE Kentucky website or by contacting the Gatton College of Business's entrepreneurship department.
In a significant milestone, this year's Pitch Fest was expanded into two days to accommodate the largest session in program history. The search results did not directly list the sponsors or major donors for the program, but it's clear that the program is well-supported by a variety of partners.
Lastly, the VIBZ team, winners of the third place in the Hills League, aims to solve social isolation in teenagers in rural towns by providing gathering spaces.
The GSE Summer Startup Program continues to inspire, identify, and empower Kentucky's future innovators, fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship that extends beyond the program's duration.
- The innovative projects at the GSE Summer Startup Program, held at the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics, delved into various sectors, including mental health solutions, heart failure detection, and addressing social issues.
- One such project, Ever-Safe, is a safety bracelet aimed at preventing exploitation of teenage girls, and it was developed by a team that includes Alisyn Caldwell, Lacey Burnley, Lucia Isenhart, Savannah Dunaway, and James-Anna Soto.
- Another team, Knot a Problem, designed a magnetic jewelry box to prevent tangled jewelry while traveling, and their members are Addison Reed, Alfredo Chagua, Kady Boaz, Panida Chetawatee, and Nina Zurad.
- The Li-ON team, which won second place in the Hills League, is focused on removing lithium-ion batteries from the waste stream before they reach landfills.
- Good Gear, which aims to solve buyer's regret in sports goods with a customized AI-powered survey, was another standout project in the program and was one of the winners of the 2025 Pitch Fest.
- The program concluded with a two-day Pitch Fest, where teams presented their business ideas to a live audience and a panel of judges, which included Kezia Ramsey, Marc Schuler, LaDaya Kami Owens, and David Hasler.
- The GSE Summer Startup Program, since its inception in 2013, has graduated 1,258 high school students, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship not just in business but also in fields like health, education, personal growth, and career development, as evidenced by projects like Ever-Safe, Knot a Problem, and the VIBZ team.
