Technology
17‑Year‑Old South Carolina Entrepreneur Wins InnoVision Award, Secures $25,000 Grant for AI Career‑Planning Startup
Grace Brusky, a 17‑year‑old from Lancaster, South Carolina, founded the AI‑powered career‑planning platform Pathly with her father, Alan Brusky. The service helps students identify educational and career opportunities based on their interests, strengths and goals. Pathly now serves more than 840 students in at least 24 states and connects users with nearly 100,000 college, certification and training programs across about 5,000 institutions and over 1,000 career pathways.
On November 5, 2026, Pathly received the Community Enrichment Award at the South Carolina InnoVision Awards ceremony held at Thornblade Club in Greer. Brusky became the youngest winner in the awards’ 28‑year history. The award was presented by ChemAu and Pathly beat finalists such as Greenville‑based Dreamgarten and Clemson‑based Quick Connect.
The 2026 InnoVision Awards saw the highest number of applications since 2019, with the new Emerging Technology Award accounting for one‑third of all entries.
Pathly’s free services for students address the national shortage of school counselors, where the average ratio is 372 students per counselor versus the American School Counselor Association’s recommended 250‑to‑one. Schools, districts and education consultants can access paid tools for broader guidance.
Earlier in 2026, the South Carolina Research Authority awarded Pathly a $25,000 grant to support development. Brusky was also selected for the 2026 Harvard Business School Foundry Program, a venture‑building initiative.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Brusky is a senior at Cyber Academy of South Carolina, maintaining a 4.6 GPA and taking dual‑enrollment courses at Winthrop University. She is pursuing a future career in environmental science and has been named a Senior Statewide Ambassador by PalmettoPride for a second term, competing against nearly 200 applicants. Her public service work has earned recognition from both chambers of the South Carolina legislature.