PITTSBURGH — March 5, 2026 — Startable, a free youth program by Innovation Works that empowers students with entrepreneurial and engineering skills, recognized six local teams of student entrepreneurs that took home prize money at the annual high school pitch competition. The event marked the culmination of a four-month after-school program that challenged students to identify real-world problems and pitch original product solutions to a panel of judges.
Student teams competed across multiple categories, with awards recognizing excellence in design, presentation, and innovation. First-place teams received $1,000, second-place teams received $500, and third-place teams received $250. EZ Clippers was unanimously selected by the judges for the Trailblazer Award, which carries a $1,000 prize. Other winners include:
Best design
- First place ($1,000): Lock-In, an organizational app for students (Northgate High School)
- Second place ($500): EZ Clippers, a safe nail clipping system for people with mobility concerns (Team Humanity Community Organization)
- Third place ($250): Green Harmony, a compact, efficient feeding system for poultry (Our Lady of Sacred Heart)
Best presentation
- First place ($1,000): Lock-In
- Second place ($500): EZ Clippers
- Third place ($250): Happy Helmets, a decorative cover for children’s medical helmets (PA Distance Learning Charter School)
Most innovative
- First place ($1,000): EZ Clippers
- Second place ($500): Aion Assistive Aids, customizable crutches and other mobility devices (Northgate High School)
- Third place ($250): Paleon-Tool-ogy, unique tools for budding archeologists (Northgate High School)
Participating students represented the following schools and afterschool programs: The Way Community Organization, Team Humanity Community Organization, Northgate High School, Our Lady of Sacred Heart High School, PA Distance Learning Charter School, Homewood Children’s Village / Westinghouse High School, and Distance Learning Academy.
“The pitch competition is where everything clicks for students — the problem-solving, the teamwork, and the confidence to stand in front of judges and defend their ideas,” said Shelly Brown, Manager of Startable. “We saw thoughtful, creative solutions and students who clearly understand how innovation connects to real needs in their communities.”
Learn more about how Startable inspires tomorrow’s innovators.
About Startable
Startable is a free youth program by Innovation Works that equips students aged 13-18 with the entrepreneurial and engineering skills necessary to design, develop, and commercialize products. The fall session is an after-school program that lasts four months. The spring session is built into a school’s curriculum as a for-credit class. The program introduces students to the idea of entrepreneurship, innovative thinking, and problem-solving through a comprehensive curriculum, expert mentorship, and hands-on experience. Learn more about Startable.
About Innovation Works
Innovation Works is one of the most active early-stage investors in the country and the most active in Pennsylvania. Since its inception of the seed fund in 1999, Innovation Works has invested in over 780 companies that have gone on to raise $3.3 billion in follow-on funding. Portfolio companies have generated and retained over 20,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. Innovation Works is part of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners network, which has catalyzed economic growth over the last 30 years by providing access to capital and networks that help foster innovation and technology-based economic development in Pennsylvania. Learn more at innovationworks.org.
Contact
Jane Joseph
Innovation Works
(412) 722-8474
jjoseph@innovationworks.org
Lexie Capperella
Gregory for Innovation Works
innovationworks@gregoryagency.com