The World Is Ready For Your Ideas

What is the Young Innovators program?

Young Innovators is a free, hands-on program that inspires middle and high school students from participating West Virginia schools to develop and practice an entrepreneurial mindset. Through real-world, community impact projects, students build skills in leadership, creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Offered by WVU Extension, the Young Innovators program is a no cost, experience-driven initiative designed with interactive sessions that emphasize teamwork and collaboration. Students have the resources, opportunities, and confidence to transform their unique ideas into real projects that address actual community challenges. The peak event of the program is the Young Innovators Summit – a three-day event where student teams showcase their projects, connect with mentors and industry leaders and compete for funding to bring their ideas to life.

“I learned that a small idea can turn into something big if you are determined.” - 2025-26 Middle School Participant

Young Innovators prepares students to thrive and innovate in the Mountain State by:

• Building an entrepreneurial mindset through hands-on problem solving

• Practicing teamwork, communication, and leadership skills in a real world setting

• Connecting students with resources, mentors, and peers

• Building student confidence in their ability to create economic opportunities in their hometown

Rooted in West Virginia.

Young Innovators is proud to serve communities across West Virginia, particularly in rural areas where opportunities for exploring entrepreneurship and innovation are often limited. By meeting students where they are – in their schools, and helping them grow into bold problem-solvers, we’re not just building leaders. We’re fostering a stronger, more vibrant Mountain State.

Participating schools from the counties include:

• Brooke County: Brooke High School
• Braxton County: Braxton County High School, Braxton County Middle School
• Clay County: Clay County Middle School
• Jackson County: Ripley High School, Ripley Middle School
• Kanawha County: Ben Franklin Career Center
• Lincoln County: Lincoln County High School, Guyan Valley Middle School
• Logan County: Chapmanville Middle School
• Marshall County: John Marshall High School, Moundsville Middle School
• Mingo County: Mingo Central High School

See how Young Innovators students pitch their community impact project, connect with local leaders, and have the chance to win funding to their ideas.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and Verizon, with additional support from NIFA USDA and the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Thank You to Our Partners

WVU is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer -- Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).
The WVU Board of Governors is the governing body of WVU. The Higher Education Policy Commission in West Virginia is responsible for developing, establishing, and overseeing the implementation of a public policy agenda for the state’s four-year colleges and universities.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to provide this content in alternate formats upon request. Contact the WVU Extension Service Office of Communications at 304-293-4222.