The annual University of Vermont (̽̽) Business Pitch Competition once again proved to be a showcase of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, as undergraduate students from across ̽̽ presented their business ideas to a panel of expert judges. Held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in the Ifhsin Hall Keller Room, this year's event brought together a diverse array of projects aimed at addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities. Students from across campus presented their innovative ideas to a panel of expert judges, including several preparing for the first annual Meyers Cup business launch competition.
The competition invited ̽̽ students with innovative and impactful plans to start and grow either a business or a mission-driven organization. Competing students prepared a pitch slide deck outlining their unique value proposition and were required to demonstrate a viable business solution and plan that addressed an existing consumer need or created one, identified target markets, and outlined operational and management plans for success.
Dr. Erik Monsen, associate professor and Grossman Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship, key coordinator of the competition shared, “I was happy to experience the variety of ventures and the growing quality of the presentations this year. I did not envy the judges, who took much longer than in prior years to come to their final decisions.” Dr. Monsen, also noted that “being able to see that a number of ventures in the pitch competition have also participated in and had benefited from other extracurricular programs for student entrepreneurs at ̽̽, including the Catamount Innovation Fund (CIF) and the Meyers Cup.” Experiential learning through these programs not only fosters critical thinking skills but also empowers students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, enhancing their entrepreneurial capabilities and overall educational experience.
This year’s winning teams were recognized for their dedication, creativity, and ingenuity, walking away with cash prizes including:
$600 for Best Pitch: Sew Up | Taylor Moulton & Lucy Powell
$600 Most Launch Ready: Campus Storage Solutions | Ethan Israel & Logan Vaughan
$600 Most Sustainable: 3Skis | Jack Snider
$600 Most Innovative Technology: Snap Connect | Noah Schwarts
$600 People’s Choice Award, sponsored by the ̽̽'s Entrepreneurship Club: S.H.A.R.P LLC | Claudia Calafati & Liv Mclean
$1,200 Grand Prize: Sclova | Nicole Sobczak
The 2024 competition judges featured:
- Lauren Bass SI-MBA '20, Executive Director of
- Sarah Kearns, Business Advisor of Strategic Projects at
- Nicole Eaton ‘23, Marketing & Communications Manager at
- Bob Phillips, Grossman School of Business Executive in Residence & Retired Unilever Director
- Hannah Deene Wood '95, Founder & Executive Director,
The success of the competition was made possible through the support of various sponsors and partners, including:
- Alumni sponsors, David Aronoff ’86, Jodi Goldstein '89, and Richard Bass ‘66
- Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
- College of Arts & Sciences
- ̽̽’s Office of the Vice President of Research
A special thanks to local community sponsors, including Moulton Law Group, Gallagher, Flynn & Company, Fuse Marketing, and Leonardo's Pizza. These sponsors played a crucial role in supporting the entrepreneurial community within Burlington and across Vermont, providing invaluable support to aspiring student entrepreneurs.
Congratulations to all participants and winners of the 2024 ̽̽ Business Pitch Competition!