We are proud to celebrate three outstanding VentureLab alumni featured in Kelli Peterson’s new book, Gen Z Teens Take Action: Stories of Circumstance, Passion and Opportunity.
Brothers on a mission: Hans & Evan Kamat
Meet Hans and Evan Kamat—Midwestern brothers who refused to watch their teammates shiver through freezing soccer games. Fueled by VentureLab mindsets—empathy and curiosity—they launched into research, prototyping, and iteration. Benchwarmer is a heat-retention design intended to keep millions of athletes warm—young and old alike—without straining budgets.
Hans and Evan show how collaboration, careful testing, and a learner’s mindset can transform a simple problem into an accessible solution.
“One of our goals was to make it affordable.”
Baking a brighter future: Ellie Ramsey
When pandemic boredom struck, seventh-grader Ellie Ramsey turned to her grandmother’s kitchen and her passion for baking. With support from a VentureLab grant and a dedicated mentor, she refined her recipes through trial and feedback, eventually scaling from test batches to custom orders. Ellie Bakes spreads joy—and sweet success—across her city.
Ellie’s journey reminds us that intergenerational collaboration and hands-on learning unlock confidence, creativity, and real entrepreneurial skills.
“My mentor helped me figure out so much about my business that a kid wouldn’t know.”
Innovator at heart: Jessi Hilton
Jessi Hilton’s journey began at age ten, when this homeschooled teen from Missouri dreamed of building a business—and giving back. A VentureLab grant helped bring her big idea to life with her first venture, Shine Bright Shack, where she made soap and candles during the pandemic. Four years later, 14-year-old Jessi is preparing to launch her second business, I’m Fine Design.
Jessi’s story highlights the power of resilience, real-world feedback, and the confidence that comes from having a strong support network.
“It seemed like the perfect product at the time because it seemed like what people needed.”
About the Book
Gen Z Teens Take Action is written by Kelli Peterson, a youth-empowerment advocate and author who shines a light on the bold ideas of Generation Z. Published by Outskirts Press in April 2025, this book spotlights fourteen changemakers who prove you don’t need a diploma to start making waves in your community.
Join us in celebrating these alumni and discover how VentureLab’s ESTEAM® framework equips every young innovator to put ideas into action!
