LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Governor’s School of Entrepreneurship (GSE) has announced the 160 students who have accepted invitations to the Summer 2024 Startup Experience.
Hundreds of high school students apply to the program each year, giving them the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills. According to GSE, more than 900 students have graduated from the program since 2013.
“Congratulations to all the students selected as members of the Class of 2024,” said Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. “This experience will influence them for the rest of their lives as they learn how to develop their idea into a service or product and pitch it to potential investors in just three weeks. Family spirit skills are what we need to continue building Team Kentucky.”
GSE selects participants through a comprehensive evaluation process to identify those with a passion for problem solving and entrepreneurship. It doesn’t matter your GPA or test scores.
During the three-week program, students work in teams to identify real-world problems and create solutions through business model design and product innovation, according to GSE. The program culminates with a “demo day” where students pitch their businesses to an audience of several hundred people and a panel of judges.
There is no cost to participate in the Summer Startup Program, and students are eligible to receive millions of dollars in college scholarships across Kentucky, GSE added.
“GSE’s Summer Startup Program is a once-in-a-lifetime entrepreneurial opportunity for students interested in creating their own success stories,” said Anne Jewell, GSE President and CEO. “This experience will empower Kentucky’s future innovators to grow from high school students to business owners.”
Jewell added that Summer Startup graduates have launched dozens of businesses across the commonwealth.
New in 2024, the program has expanded to two campuses, with 80 students participating on each campus. The first Summer Startup Session will be held from June 16th to July 6th at Thomas More College in Crestview Hills near Cincinnati. The second is scheduled for June 23rd to July 13th at the University of Kentucky.
