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ARE YOU READY FOR THE CHALLENGE?

Hosted by the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Burgess New Venture Challenge is the premier pitch competition for student entrepreneurs at Michigan State University.

This year, the Challenge provides a transformational experience for fifteen undergraduate and graduate students representing seven academic colleges and over a dozen disciplines of study to bring big ideas and bold solutions to a large audience and compete for more than $50,000 in funding.

AGENDA AWARDS

DOORS OPEN

3:30PM

SEMIFINALIST SHOWCASE

4:00PM - 6:00 PM

FINALIST PITCHES

6:00PM - 7:00 PM

AWARDS CEREMONY

7:00PM - 8:00 PM

1ST PLACE - $15,000

Presented by

2ND PLACE - $10,000

Presented by

3RD PLACE - $7,500

Presented by

4TH PLACE - $5,000

5TH PLACE - $3,500

Presented by

SOCIAL IMPACT - $2,500

Presented by

Presented by PEOPLE’S CHOICE - $2,000

Presented by

SEED FUNDING - $750 (10)

Presented by

MEET THE 2026 SEMIFINALIST TEAMS

Jinu Kang

College of Social Science

The World’s First Anti-Energy Drink.

Kaniz Fatema Promee College of Engineering

DryX provides a compact, energy-efficient dish-drying system for small-to-mid-scale commercial kitchens, cutting drying time from hours to minutes while reducing labor, space, and energy waste.

Kyli Corder

College of Communication Arts & Sciences

Ekos is a smart mirror-powered salon operating system that turns every appointment into data, automates operations, and helps independent stylists and salons grow revenue through AI-driven insights.

Rahul Aviraj Pataskar College of Engineering

Guideily is an AI powered all in one career readiness suite that helps institutions deliver personalised pathways, measurable skill development and actionable guidance that support every learner from career exploration to employability.

Jillian Whitley

Eli Broad College of Business

A gold-filled jewelry brand offering modern takes on classic pieces that evoke the emotional significance of receiving a cherished heirloom.

Kaleah-Alezir Valera College of Communication Arts & Sciences

LZR is a functional beverage that combines natural ingredients, high quality protein, caffeine, and B vitamins, providing sustained energy and metabolic support to eliminate the need for multiple beverages.

Angela Leach

Eli Broad College of Business

We are revolutionizing how we track the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease through patient drawings.

Dan Sagher College of Natural Science

MindMosaic is a visual workspace that helps users think, plan, and create by organizing multimodal projects around their core concepts.

Evan Hackstock

Eli Broad College of Business

Protein Banana Bread Bites

Kaylie Livingston

College of Communication Arts & Sciences

ParPack is a practical golf accessory that clips onto your golf bag to hold everything from essentials, extra layers, and snacks, then easily unclips to be worn as a backpack into the clubhouse or to your car after your round.

Nthanda Manduwi

Eli Broad College of Business

Q2 Systems builds cyber-physical infrastructure for emerging markets by integrating real world systems, digital twins, and simulation engines into a single adaptive ecosystem.

Benjamin Meyer College of Engineering

Sapt builds custom AI-powered business operating systems that automate marketing, SEO, and content management for SMBs.

David Lalaj

Eli Broad College of Business

Single Scoop is a smart vending machine for gyms that delivers perfectly mixed, single-serve pre-workout and protein powder from trusted brands, giving members convenience, variety, and confidence in what they consume.

Shreshta Sinha Lyman Briggs College

Brain Monitoring and Device Control Technology

Abram Gingrass

El i Broad College of Business

Electrolyte and multivitamin oral lip pouches, hydration like never seen before.

ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

To learn more about Burgess New Venture Challenge and how you can compete, visit eship.msu.edu/burgessnvc/

Guideily

J. Margaret

VENTURE COACHES VENTURE COACHES

Burgess New Venture Challenge semifinalist teams are supported by a network of alumni and industry leaders who serve as Venture Coaches and Judges. Over the course of two months leading up to the Challenge, Venture Coaches provide strategic guidance, feedback, and insight as teams refine their ideas and prepare for the stage. Judges bring an external perspective to evaluate each venture, recognizing innovation, execution, and potential.

Their time, expertise, and commitment play a critical role in shaping each venture and developing more confident founders, advancing the next generation of Spartan entrepreneurs.