Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy Empowers Future Leaders

EntreEd partnered with Appalachian State University and STEM West to facilitate the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) from July 5 to 18, 2025, on App State’s campus in Boone, North Carolina. Twenty high school students from across the Appalachian region were selected through a competitive application process to participate in two immersive weeks of hands-on learning that sparked entrepreneurial thinking and built critical skills.

“This academy doesn’t just teach entrepreneurship — it inspires it,” said Dr. Terry W. McClannon, Associate Dean of App State’s Reich College of Education and Director of the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy. “Our students leave here transformed not just because of what they learned, but because of what they discovered about themselves. Their creativity, discipline, and heart prove that the future of entrepreneurship is in great hands.”

These future changemakers tackled real-world challenges facing their communities. Using their entrepreneurial knowledge, students developed innovative business solutions including cultural subscription boxes, nonprofit thrift services, community-centered retail stores, and resource-driven platforms. Throughout the academy, participants worked in teams to create business plans and refine their pitches. The program concluded with a live pitch event at App State’s Grandview Ballroom at Kidd Brewer Stadium, where students presented their ventures to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs. 

Winning Ventures:

First Place: Cultural Odyssey, a monthly subscription box offering meaningful cultural experiences for families. Team members: Karsyn Canada (NC), Emma Comer (KY), Morgan Friend (NC), and Bella Padilla (OH).

Second Place: Backroad General, an affordable, community-centered general store. Team members: Matthew Montenegro-Mata (NC), Brayden Pace (KY), Goutamraaj Rajkumar (GA), and Chase Sinclair (NC).

Third Place: Crayons to Clothes, a nonprofit mobile thrift and essentials provider supporting families in crisis. Team members: Serenity Wells (NC), Isabella Sanders (OH), and Anadelia Francisco (AL).

Audience Choice: Interlink, a nonprofit focused on connecting Appalachia to resources for a brighter future. Team members: Aarush Budhani (GA), G. Luke Flores (NY), Zoe Alvarez-Fluent (NY), Heron Kaase (NC), and Tomas Padgett (AL).

Honorable Mention: Proof Positive, a venture offering an honest Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework for businesses. Team members: Carleigh Curtis (OH), Christian Miguel (AL), Charity Ward (WV), and Merle Watt III (NY).

Students demonstrated creativity, collaboration, and resilience throughout the academy. The Curriculum and Pitch Planning Team was especially inspired by their dedication and progress.

“It was exciting and rewarding to see how our participants grew throughout the 2-weeks of the academy! By graduation, they had created life-long bonds between them across states and with confidence, delivered strong persuasive pitches to judges and community partners. I am confident we are helping to build responsible youth who care about the community of Appalachia,” said Dr. Carol Moore, CEO and President of STEM West.

Following the pitch event, a graduation ceremony celebrated the students' achievements and the strong connections they built during their time together.

The Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy continues to equip young people with the mindset, tools, and support needed to become entrepreneurial leaders who will shape the future of their communities. 

For more information about AEA, visit: https://www.arc.gov/appalachian-entrepreneurship-academy/

About EntreEd
The National Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education, doing business as EntreEd, serves as the compass and campfire for the national entrepreneurship education ecosystem.

Learn more: www.entre-ed.org

Media and Partnership Inquiries:
Megan Westbrook
[email protected]