Student entrepreneurs from across District 214 pitched innovative business ideas at Startup Showcase 2026. Buffalo Grove High School students behind AuraLink, a magnetic jewelry clasp designed to make necklaces easier to fasten, earned top honors and $3,000 in startup funding.
Offered at all six comprehensive high schools, District 214’s Entrepreneurship Program gives students hands-on experience developing and pitching business ideas while working alongside teachers and local industry professionals. At the annual district-wide showcase, teams presented their ventures to a panel of judges for the chance to win startup funding, made possible by the District 214 Education Foundation.
This year’s top prize went to AuraLink, a team made up of Hailey Gordon, Lexi Josephson, Ruby Pompilio and Yan Yushkevich. “Winning this showcase means so much to us because it shows that hard work and dedication truly pay off,” Gordon said. “Even when we felt stuck and unsure of our progress, we kept pushing forward and never gave up.”
The team credited their success to the support of their teacher, Amy Zaba, along with mentors who guided them throughout the process. Experiences like Startup Showcase give students the opportunity to think through real challenges, work as a team, and build something from the ground up. Read more about the winning idea and this year’s showcase.