KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 3, 2026

Some of the state’s top student innovators will meet on Kennesaw State University’s Marietta Campus for the inaugural University System of Georgia (USG) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, a two-day, systemwide event to be held April 6-7.

Designed to spotlight creativity, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial talent, the competition will feature one student team from each USG institution. Teams will present an original business or innovation concept to a panel of judges, vying for the USG Innovation and Entrepreneurship Trophy, $25,000 in cash prizes, and access to leading institutional accelerator programs from across the state.

Teams that advance to the final round will present on stage at the KSU Dance Center inside the Joe Mack Wilson Student Center on Tuesday, April 7. Those interested in attending the final round presentations can RSVP by clicking here. The event will also be livestreamed on the USG website.

“Kennesaw State University is incredibly proud to host the inaugural University System of Georgia Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. Beyond the exciting 25 student competition teams, we will welcome USG leadership along with industry partners from across technology, healthcare, business, engineering, and the nonprofit sector,” said President Kathy S. Schwaig. “The event is an incredible showcase of not only the entrepreneurship ecosystem on our campuses, but also the collective strength of our system—working together to develop stronger students, build stronger communities, and create a stronger Georgia.”

Kennesaw State will be represented in the competition by student innovator SueAnn Hollowell. Hollowell will pitch her business PaintCo Labs Inc., a patented commercial body art printer that allows fans to print custom sports designs directly onto the skin in seconds, significantly reducing the time and effort required for traditional body painting.

The competition is a statewide initiative to highlight the depth and diversity of student talent across the University System of Georgia, at a moment when higher education and the workforce are evolving at a rapid pace. Ideas presented during the competition are expected to reflect bold, future-focused thinking with the potential to strengthen Georgia’s economy and reinforce the state’s position as a leader in innovation.

Teams will be evaluated on the originality of their ideas, market potential, feasibility, and presentation quality. In addition to competing for top honors, students will have opportunities throughout the two-day event to network with peers, faculty mentors, USG leaders, and industry partners representing a wide range of sectors.

The USG Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition underscores the system’s commitment to experiential learning and to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students. By connecting student creators with resources, mentorship and real-world feedback, the event aims to accelerate promising ideas beyond the classroom and into the marketplace.

Kennesaw State’s growing entrepreneurship ecosystem makes it a natural setting for the systemwide competition. Through resources such as the HatchBridge Incubator and the Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship Center, along with a broad portfolio of entrepreneurship‑focused degree programs, experiential learning opportunities and funding support, KSU has emerged as a hub for innovation in metro Atlanta. These initiatives support founders from early concept development through scalable ventures, while emphasizing real‑world problem solving and meaningful community impact.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.