Winners! EClub Elevator Pitch 2026
Last week, the Entrepreneurship Club at University of Kentucky relaunched the Elevator Pitch Competition—and we’re excited to say it’s back and here to stay.
By: Andrew Jacobs | Entrepreneurship Club President
This competition gives students the opportunity to sharpen one of the most important entrepreneurial skills: delivering a clear, compelling pitch in a limited amount of time. Whether it’s making a connection, asking for funding, or simply getting your venture’s name out there, the ability to communicate your idea quickly matters.
A huge thank you to the original architect of this event, Destin George Bell, for sharing this amazing concept with us. We could not have brought this event back without your support.
Congratulations to our winners — Alberto Cocke ($200 Judge's Choice), Jack Marsella ($200 Judge's Choice), Lauren Eisele ($200 Judge's Choice) and Jenna Utterback ($400 Grand Prize)— who competed through two rounds to secure the victory. In the first round, contestants pitched themselves, and in the second round they had to sell a mystery product. Impressive work from all of them.
Thank you as well to all 23 contestants who stepped up and competed.
We also appreciate our collaborators, the University Of Kentucky Sales Club and AMA University of Kentucky, for helping bring this event to life. And a special thank you to our judges — Michael Johnston, John Kirn, and Mariam Gorjian.
Finally, a big shoutout to the Entrepreneurship Club team who helped make the event possible. Alexander Dilger, Jack Gatlin, and Reece Carlton did an incredible job constructing the elevator used in the competition. Shoutout to the rest of the team who put in several hours to make this event happen: Xavier Galan, Solomon Johnson Jr. ,Oryia Ogden, Addison Hedden , Jarius Glover, Miles Davis, and Chandler Baker.
I am very excited to see this event’s growth in the coming years!
A huge thank you to the original architect of this event, Destin George Bell, for sharing this amazing concept with us. We could not have brought this event back without your support.
Congratulations to our winners — Alberto Cocke ($200 Judge's Choice), Jack Marsella ($200 Judge's Choice), Lauren Eisele ($200 Judge's Choice) and Jenna Utterback ($400 Grand Prize)— who competed through two rounds to secure the victory. In the first round, contestants pitched themselves, and in the second round they had to sell a mystery product. Impressive work from all of them.
Thank you as well to all 23 contestants who stepped up and competed.
We also appreciate our collaborators, the University Of Kentucky Sales Club and AMA University of Kentucky, for helping bring this event to life. And a special thank you to our judges — Michael Johnston, John Kirn, and Mariam Gorjian.
Finally, a big shoutout to the Entrepreneurship Club team who helped make the event possible. Alexander Dilger, Jack Gatlin, and Reece Carlton did an incredible job constructing the elevator used in the competition. Shoutout to the rest of the team who put in several hours to make this event happen: Xavier Galan, Solomon Johnson Jr. ,Oryia Ogden, Addison Hedden , Jarius Glover, Miles Davis, and Chandler Baker.
I am very excited to see this event’s growth in the coming years!
Andrew Jacobs
