Students Pitch Business Ideas to Entrepreneurs

The judges: Amy Huang, co-founder of ARCHina Capital; Keenan Ugarte ’08, founder of DayOne Capital Ventures; Maury “Mack” McFadden ’93 MPA ’98, founder of McFadden Finch Holdings Company; Chris Ehrlich, CEO of CERo Therapeutics; Pete Slosberg, co-founder of Pete’s Brewing Company; and Chris Seiwald, founder of RADIUM Presents.

More than 50 students from all over campus submitted ideas this year, said Johnathan Cromwell, associate professor in the School of Management and faculty director of the Entrepreneurship for All initiative. Fifty industry professionals reviewed the ideas, and six students were invited to pitch in McLaren Conference Center.

In the “Idea” category, for businesses not yet launched, three students pitched:

Elizabeth Szele ’28, a performing arts and social justice major, pitched Cloud9Co, a company that makes toxin-free workout clothing that is “better not only for our bodies, but for the world around us.”

Leyla Safaraliyeva MBA ’26 pitched TagGo, an app that helps users understand food ingredient labels and make healthier food choices — “faster, smarter, more confident.”

Sophie Sutherland MIM ’26 pitched Trace, a tool that measures and reports the energy footprint of AI, in compliance with European Union regulations. “We can’t trust AI providers to be honest about environmental impact. Trace is neutral and independent.”

In the “Impact” category, for early-stage startups, three students pitched:

Shubh Mehta ’26, an entrepreneurship and innovation major, pitched Campus Needs, an app that enables students to safely buy, sell, and exchange goods within their university communities.

Mark Goold MSDS ’26 pitched Controversy, an AI-powered platform that synthesizes opposing arguments from a spectrum of news organizations and publications.

MJ Jackson ’27, a psychology major, pitched the YouVerse Project, a mentorship program that promotes emotional wellness and personal growth in underserved young people. “I know what it is to move through life without emotional awareness,” Jackson said. “A lot of young people are never taught to understand themselves.”

The judges deliberated. In the Idea category, Trace placed first, Cloud9Co second, and TagGo third. In the Impact category, Campus Needs placed first, YouVerse second, and Controversy third. The students received grants of $1,000 to $4,000 in support of their work.

“Students of every major can — and should — learn entrepreneurial skills,” Cromwell said. “Even if you never plan to create a new product or launch a company, we can help you learn to solve problems, try new things, pitch new ideas, network, collaborate, and build resilience. These are the skills that help students succeed in any field, throughout life.”

Interested in making a pitch next year? Contact Johnathan Cromwell.