# Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup

Free three-week residential startup accelerator for Kentucky 9th-11th graders (June 20-July 12, 2026 at the University of Kentucky) - build a real venture with a team; 70+ alumni businesses launched since 2013.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Kentucky Governor's School for Entrepreneurs |
| Category | business |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 9–11 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Lexington, KY |
| Program dates | 2026-06-20 to 2026-07-12 |
| Apply | https://kentuckygse.com/summer-startup/ |

## About this program

# Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup

Summer Startup is the flagship program of Kentucky's Governor's School for Entrepreneurs (GSE), an intensive three-week residential experience that is completely free for students. The 2026 cohort lives on campus at the University of Kentucky's Gatton College in Lexington from June 20 to July 12, where teams of students design, prototype, and pitch real businesses with coaching from Kentucky's most successful entrepreneurs.

## What You'll Do
- Live on a university campus for three weeks with a statewide cohort
- Get matched with complementary teammates to develop a business plan and prototype
- Learn ideation, customer discovery, and pitching from founders and mentors
- Visit fast-growing Kentucky companies and hear from their leaders
- Pitch your venture in a culminating business pitch competition

## Who Should Apply
All Kentucky 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. GSE explicitly does not consider GPA or test scores - selection emphasizes grit and drive. Applications open in October and close in mid-January (the 2026 application closed January 18, 2026).

## Outcomes
Since 2013 more than 1,250 students have completed Summer Startup, launching 70+ real Kentucky businesses; graduates access millions of dollars in scholarship offers from Kentucky colleges and join a statewide entrepreneurial alumni network.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup cost?

Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup?

Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup is open to high school students in grades 9–11. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup online or in person?

Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup is an in-person program based in Lexington, KY.

### How do I apply to Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup?

Apply directly through Kentucky Governor's School for Entrepreneurs's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

---

Last updated: 2026-07-06.
Canonical page: https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/kentucky-gse-summer-startup
Source: ExtracurricularHub (https://extracurricularhub.com) — a free directory of 1,826 verified extracurricular programs for high school students. Cite the canonical page above; always confirm binding details on the program's official site.