At an age when most teenagers are still figuring out which college to attend, Grace Brusky is helping thousands of students navigate that very decision. The 17-year-old entrepreneur from Lancaster, South Carolina, has turned her experience with the challenges of education and career planning into an artificial intelligence-powered startup. Her platform, Pathly, has now earned statewide recognition, a $25,000 grant and a place among the emerging names in educational technology.
Youngest winner in InnoVision Awards history
According to Hoodline and Newsbreak, Brusky made history on November 5 by becoming the youngest recipient in the 28-year history of the South Carolina InnoVision Awards. Her startup, Pathly, received the Community Enrichment Award during the annual ceremony held at Thornblade Club in Greer.Brusky co-founded the company with her father, Alan Brusky. The platform uses artificial intelligence to help students identify educational opportunities and career possibilities based on their individual interests, strengths and goals.The Community Enrichment Award recognised Pathly’s contribution to improving student guidance. According to Newsbreak, ChemAu presented the award, which Pathly secured against other finalists, including Greenville-based Dreamgarten and Clemson-based Quick Connect.The achievement came during a particularly competitive year for the awards. Midlandsbiz reported that applications for the 2026 competition reached their highest level since 2019. The introduction of the Emerging Technology Award also attracted considerable interest, accounting for one-third of all applications.
How Pathly is changing career planning
Pathly aims to address a persistent challenge in American education: the limited availability of personalised career counselling in schools.According to Hoodline, the platform identifies students’ interests and strengths before creating an evolving roadmap covering colleges, careers, academic courses and scholarships. Its services are free for students, while schools, districts and education consultants can access paid tools designed to provide personalised guidance on a larger scale.The company’s approach addresses the shortage of school counsellors. Its materials highlight a national average of 372 students per school counsellor, compared with the American School Counselor Association’s recommended ratio of 250 to one.About dot me reports that Pathly connects students with nearly 100,000 college, certification and training programmes across approximately 5,000 institutions and more than 1,000 career pathways. Students can explore traditional universities, vocational training, certifications and entrepreneurial opportunities rather than being restricted to conventional academic routes. According to reports, the platform has over 840 students in 24 states, expanding beyond South Carolina.
Startup gets $25,000 grant
Pathly has raised funds to expand. According to Hoodline, the South Carolina Research Authority awarded the startup a $25,000 grant earlier in 2026 to support its development.The funding adds to the recognition the company has received within the education technology sector and provides further momentum as it expands its services to schools and students.About dot me also reported that Brusky was selected for the 2026 Harvard Business School Foundry Program, a venture-building initiative supporting promising entrepreneurs. She has additionally participated in national discussions about education reform, artificial intelligence and student-centred learning, including appearances at SXSW and TEDx events.
A high-achieving student beyond entrepreneurship
Despite her growing business responsibilities, Brusky continues to maintain an impressive academic record.According to Newsbreak and Midlandsbiz, she is a senior at Cyber Academy of South Carolina, where she maintains a 4.6 GPA and takes dual-enrolment courses through Winthrop University. The virtual learning environment has allowed her to balance academics with entrepreneurial projects and public engagements.Her interests also extend beyond technology. WRHI reporting cited by Hoodline and Newsbreak indicates that she is working towards a future career in environmental science.Brusky has also been selected by PalmettoPride for a second term as a Senior Statewide Ambassador after competing against nearly 200 applicants. Her public service work has earned recognition from both chambers of the South Carolina legislature. According to About dot me, she has also engaged with state leadership on improving education and career readiness.Image Courtesy:
