Name: Matthew McPherson

Hometown: Flemington, New Jersey

High school graduation year: 2025

Business pitch: Boxer Breeze is an eco-friendly, odor-resistant underwear brand that tackles textile waste through sustainable materials. Made from a bamboo fiber blend and organic cotton, Boxer Breeze offers moisture-wicking and durable underwear with a closed-loop recycling system. Customers can return used pairs for responsible recycling in exchange for discounts on future purchases. With a direct-to-consumer model, Boxer Breeze aims to disrupt the sustainable fashion market. 

Name: Claire Teany

Hometown: Medfield, Massachusetts

High school graduation year: 2025

Business pitch: OceanAble is revolutionizing adaptive products in the surfing industry by designing a surfboard that allows individuals with disabilities to surf independently. Unlike existing volunteer-led adaptive surf programs, OceanAble creates equipment that enables ongoing participation. The company also incorporates sustainability by using reclaimed ocean plastics in its manufacturing process, addressing both accessibility and environmental concerns.

Names: Eleanor O’Brien, Penelope O’Brien, Hardy Payson

Hometown: Lyme, New Hampshire and Thetford Center, Vermont

High school graduation year: 2025 and 2026

Business pitch: MIND is a social enterprise dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals transitioning from high school to college or the workforce. By offering summer programs, certification tools, workshops, and mentorship programs, MIND aims to bridge the support gap that often disappears after K-12 education. With a tiered revenue model, MIND sustains itself through paid certifications, training, and consulting services while providing free resources to institutions, ensuring neurodivergent individuals thrive in education and employment.

Name: Jamie Cheng

Hometown: Cary, North Carolina

High school graduation year: 2027

Business pitch: RespiraGel is an innovative and affordable hydrogel-based powder designed to protect against allergens and pollutants. With FDA-approved ingredients, RespiraGel is progressing toward clinical trials and prototype development. Targeting individuals with respiratory conditions, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies, the company aims to tap into the $14 billion allergy treatment market while also donating products to underserved regions to improve global respiratory health. 

Name: Reya Kannan

Hometown: Tyngsborough, Massachusetts

High school graduation year: 2027

Business pitch: Yard 2 Yum is a nonprofit organization that partners with restaurants to reduce food waste through a reward-based system. Restaurants earn “produce points” for diverting waste from landfills, which can be redeemed for discounts on locally sourced produce. The initiative benefits both restaurants and farms while reducing environmental impact. With plans to expand beyond Massachusetts, Yard 2 Yum offers a scalable solution to food waste management.