Frank & Eileen Accelerator and Incubator Students Shine at Pitch Showcase

At Marlborough’s annual Pitch Showcase this May, the spotlight belonged to student entrepreneurs—visionary changemakers who spent the year building ventures rooted in curiosity, creativity, and a desire to make a difference.

 

Now in its third year, the Frank & Eileen Accelerator Program for the Leaders of Tomorrow continues to redefine what’s possible when students are given the tools, mentorship, and funding to turn ideas into action. This year's program supported 20 students across the Incubator and Accelerator Program—offering personalized coaching, dynamic workshops, and real-world opportunities for growth. The culminating Pitch Showcase was a celebration of all they had accomplished and a launchpad for what comes next.

 

Seven Accelerator students took the stage to present five-minute business pitches, each followed by a live Q&A with community members and mentors. Prior to their pitches, 13 Incubator students shared three-minute pitches of their newly formed concepts, marking a first milestone in their entrepreneurial journeys. From sustainable food ventures to tech-enabled learning tools, the range and rigor of student ideas reflected the strength of the program’s scaffolded curriculum and one-on-one mentorship model.

 

This year’s Showcase also featured the presentation of two signature awards recognizing outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, growth, and leadership.

 

• Penelope Pressman ’25 was named the first recipient of the Frank & Eileen Scholars Award for Future Leaders, a new annual honor offering up to $5,000 in grant funding to support a student entrepreneur who has demonstrated exceptional growth, engagement, and vision. Penelope’s venture, Track Tutoring, is a peer-to-peer academic support platform designed to increase access to high-quality tutoring while building student confidence. A returning Accelerator alum, Penelope impressed the judges with her sustained development, community focus, and clear strategic plan for using the funding to expand her business.
• Audrey Nishida ’26 received the Atherton Award, now in its second year. Established by entrepreneur and investor Amber Atherton, this annual award celebrates entrepreneurial initiative in students ages 11 and up—whether they’ve launched a business, designed a product, or completed a self-directed course in a related field. Audrey was recognized for her venture, Memory Lane, an innovative digital platform that helps families preserve and interact with shared memories in creative and emotionally resonant ways. Along with a trophy and a monetary prize to support the next phase of her work, Audrey will receive ongoing mentorship with Amber Atherton—designed to help accelerate her entrepreneurial journey.

With bold ideas, polished pitches, and working prototypes, students demonstrated not only the depth of their entrepreneurial thinking but their readiness to lead with purpose. From first-time founders to returning alums, each participant reflected the heart of the Frank & Eileen Accelerator Program for the Leaders of Tomorrow: a commitment to creativity, confidence, and meaningful impact. The Showcase offered a powerful glimpse of what happens when young people are given the tools—and the trust—to shape the future.