On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, two Midway University student teams were accepted as finalists for the Kentucky Collegiate Pitch after a panel of judges at the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs (GSE) reviewed their business models.
Track competition on February 28th, 2026, at SparkHaus in Covington, KY. Finalists competed in live pitches against students from colleges and universities across the Commonwealth.
The in-person event offers student founders who pitch early-stage ventures the opportunity to compete for funding and recognition.
Student Enterprises Address Real-World Challenges
Senior Evie Clare (Equine Business & Sales and Business Administration major, 2026), pitched her innovative concept CochleoFit, a custom helmet insert specifically designed for individuals with cochlear implants. This cutting-edge, accessible product creates a cushioned, recessed space within any sports helmet to accommodate hearing devices while simultaneously maintaining safety, comfort, and performance. As early research shows that many athletes with cochlear implants experience discomfort when wearing helmets, this customizable and affordable entrepreneurial solution is timely, inclusive, and fills a significant gap within the marketspace.
Clare won first place in the Exploratory Track at GSE and was awarded $5,000 to bring CochleoFit to life. She attributes her time competing at an Awesome Inc. pitch competition and Midway University faculty members as integral to her success, “Participating in Awesome Inc Startup Weekend was an incredible experience because it pushed me to quickly develop and refine my venture idea. I’m also very grateful for the support and mentorship from Midway faculty, who played a huge role in helping me grow the idea.”
A second team composed of Fabian Garcia (Sports Management Major and Coaching and Leadership, and Sports Marketing minor, 2026), Louisa Garcia (Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Management masters, 2025), Steven Mahirwe (Sports Management major and Psychology minor, 2026) and Isabelle Dotson (Sports Marketing major and Bourbon Studies minor, 2027) presented ProCut, an innovative performance soccer sock designed to reduce calf strain, muscle fatigue, and overheating. Developed and designed by current and former collegiate soccer players, this idea was conceptualized from the common, yet heavily restricted, practice of athletes cutting holes in their socks to relieve pressure and improve circulation, a solution that often degrades the product and reduces durability. ProCut offers purposefully designed athletic socks that feature anatomically reinforced and breathable mesh calf cutouts, compression, moisture-wicking fabrics, and sole grips to enhance performance and improve comfort.
When asked about the experience of presenting at GSE, Mahirwe said, “It showed us that our ideas deserve to be heard. I really valued the feedback we received from the judges and participants, because it helped guide us in the right direction as we continue our entrepreneurship journey.” Dotson agreed with the sentiment and added, “It’s been exciting to watch this idea grow through all our hard work.”
From the Classroom to Competition: Innovation Through Faculty Mentorship
CochleoFit and ProCut were concepts developed in Midway University’s BUS 427 Entrepreneurship course taught by Dr. Jeb Gorham, Professor of Sport Management and Ms. Amy Sheikh, Instructor of Business Administration. This popular course equips students with knowledge and skills to conceptualize innovative venture opportunities through the creation and analysis of real-world business models. After their initial coursework, students and teams have the option to continue working on their ventures through mentorship with Dr. Gorham, Ms. Sheikh and Dr. Amber Chatelain, Associate Professor of Marketing, who all support a newly launched Entrepreneurship Club on campus. This student-directed E-Club helps refine business concepts outside of class, move ideas to prototypes, discover customers and product testing. Midway University’s E-Club launch was supported by a partnership with Awesome, Inc., a Lexington-based tech and entrepreneurial hub.
“It is a privilege to work with students who are dedicated to exploring entrepreneurship from ideation through prototyping and potential launch. Our collaborative learning model focuses on lean planning where students consistently test their business hypotheses to develop the most effective minimal viable products,” said Dr. Gorham. “I have worked with many students for competitions over the years and it is always exciting to see them experience success and gain recognition.”
“I’m incredibly proud of the creativity and effort these students put into their entrepreneurial ideas, and I can truly see both of these products succeeding in the marketplace,” said Dr. Chatelain. “Dr. Gorham and Ms. Sheikh did an outstanding job guiding the teams through the development process, and I was glad to contribute my perspective and expertise as they refined their product concepts and pitch decks.”
Participation in the GSE Collegiate Pitch reflects Midway University’s commitment to applied learning, industry-focused projects, and professional readiness. Through courses, faculty mentorship, and real-world competitions, students are encouraged to turn problems into viable solutions.
About the Kentucky Collegiate Pitch Competition
Hosted annually by the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs, the Collegiate Pitch is the Commonwealth’s largest intercollegiate startup competition. The event provides students with the chance to showcase early-stage ventures, receive feedback from experienced judges, and compete for funding to help bring their ideas to life. Participants represent colleges and universities across Kentucky and compete in categories designed for both exploratory concepts and more developed business models.
More information can be found here: https://kentuckygse.com/collegiate-pitch/
Students interested in participating in future pitch competitions can reach out to Dr. Jeb Gorham, Dr. Amber Chatelain, or Ms. Amy Sheikh.