As we celebrate 15 years of NVC, we want to take a moment to recognize our partners, sponsors, donors, and the many dedicated and talented people who have contributed to the success of this event.
Because of your contributions, NVC continues to provide a space where creativity, innovation, and passion thrive. But it has become so much more than just an event, it is a community where students are given the opportunity and mentorship to turn the seeds of dreams into the beginnings of their own venture. Each competitor leaves more prepared than when they started, with the tools and connections needed to blaze new trails.
It is an absolute honor and privilege to foster the next generation of entrepreneurs - and not just those within the College of Business. With your help, entrepreneurship is now able to be celebrated by all colleges on the Central Michigan University campus.
The first 15 years have been both awe-inspiring and motivating. We can’t wait for the next 15 years of success, growth, and innovationand our continued partnership with those who make this event possible - people who know what it’s like to dream big, to make the right connections and build great things. People just like you.
Thank you.
Chris Moberg, Dean College of Business Administration Central Michigan University
Julie Messing, Director Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship College
of Business Administration Central Michigan University
COMPETITION AGENDA
Welcome
1:00 PM:
NVC Welcome & Kick-off (EHS French Auditorium)
Elevator Pitch
1:05 PM - 2:00 PM:
1st Round Elevator Pitch Competition (BIO Atrium)
Final Round Competition
2:05 - 2:10 PM:
Alternative Entrepreneurial Pathways (EHS French Auditorium)
2:10 - 2:15 PM:
Elevator Pitch Finals (EHS French Auditorium)
2:15 - 2:55 PM:
Main Street (EHS French Auditorium)
3:00 - 3:05 PM:
Elevator Pitch Finals (EHS French Auditorium)
3:10 - 3:55 PM:
Social Mission (EHS French Auditorium)
4:00 - 4:05 PM:
Elevator Pitch Finals (EHS French Auditorium)
4:05 - 4:50 PM:
High Growth (EHS French Auditorium)
Strolling Dinner & Awards
5:00 - 6:30 PM
Venture Gallery & Campus Showcase with Strolling Dinner (BIO Atrium)
6:30 - 7:45 PM
Awards & Recognition Ceremony (EHS French Auditorium)
7:45 - 8:00 PM
Dessert & Champagne (French Lobby)
LEAVING A LEGACY 15 YEARS
For 15 years, the New Venture Challenge has helped CMU students turn ideas into ventures, offering $100,000 in prizes and invaluable entrepreneurial opportunities. Celebrate our 15th anniversary founding members, past winners, and see what CMU entrepreneurial students are up to today.
Thank you for supporting NVC for 15 years!
LEGACY AWARD 15 YEARS
The Legacy Award pays tribute to forces behind the creation and growth of the New Venture Competition fifteen years ago: Dean Emeritus Charles Crespy and former Director of the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship Bruce Marble.
Their vision transformed entrepreneurial education by creating and expanding a platform where students could test ideas, build confidence, and connect with industry mentors.
This award commemorates their contributions and celebrates how their vision has grown into a program that launches careers, builds businesses, and inspires generations of innovators who carry forward their legacy.
CHARLES CRESPY
Dean Emeritus
CMU College of Business Administration
NVC LEGACY AWARD RECIPIENT
“The biggest takeaway from NVC is the dedicated staff, administrators, development officers, mentors, faculty members, and volunteers who all came together to help launch these successful startups.”
-Chuck Crespy
BRUCE MARBLE
Former Executive Director
Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship
NVC LEGACY AWARD RECIPIENT
“This program was intended to be experiential. You learn by doing. We wanted this experience to be transformative.”
-Bruce Marble
HybridPay
Daniel Pearson & Tyler Gostinger
The NVC Journey
Claiming the $30,000 grand prize, entrepreneurship majors Daniel and Tyler proposed an online account system that would allow consumers to integrate all credit, debit, and rewards cards.
Solar Cycle Lights, LLC
Tyler Dunbar, Samantha Fiani, & Joe Shaheen
Un-Corked
Emily Miller, Courtney Lorenz
Entrepreneurship students
Courtney and Emily were awarded $30,000 for their hybridized wine cork product, a greener alternative to traditional wine stoppers.
A strong team of entrepreneurship, finance and recreation majors joined forces to take the top spot with Solar Cycle Lights – a multi-purpose, detachable, solar-powered safety light for bicycles with an attachable charger.
Ben Mitchell & Wade Aitken Palmer
Mechanical engineering students Ben and Wade launched Baisikeli Ugunduzi – Swahili for ‘modern bicycle’ – that offered high quality bicycle components to the millions of rural poor in Sub-Saharan Africa who depend on bicycles to earn a living.
Episcura
Chris Green, Kurt Baringer, Christian Day, & Patrick McAvena
A dynamic team with a collective 20 years of experience in animation, design and technology won with a service providing high -dynamic -range and texture images to artists for use in movies, video games and digital art.
Milele Tube
ShareCase, LLC.
Craig Thomas, Nicholas Cozzi, & Phillip Zerull
A cross-departmental partnership of medical students Craig and Nicholas and mathematics student Phillip led to the creation of a unique interactive web-based curriculum for medical students.
Elemental Co. LLC
Haley Rusicka, Susanne Wroblewski, Emily Austin & Augusta Overy
A strong team of entrepreneurship and STEM students launched a specially designed and tested thermal bra for breast cancer survivors.
Multi-Dimensional Manufacturing
Nick Dubiel
A single student beat out the competition for the top award with the ‘Metaloid’ – an advanced 3D-printer nozzle prototype that aimed to print eight times faster than conventional printers on the market.
BETSPERTS, LLC.
Taking advantage of the legalization of sports betting, graduate students Reid, Austin and Sam pitched a crowdsourced gambling site geared towards improving betting outcomes by combining social media, advice, and user analytics.
Reid Rooney, Sam Russell & Austin Harper
20
FOCUS
Ranit Karmakar
Pitched by doctorate student Ranit Karmakar, Focus introduced a mobile microscope for eye bank technicians to evaluate tissue for eye diseases without the need for complicated processes.
SafeRow
Bayle Golden
SafeROW claimed 1st place in Social Mission with a tracking wristband to help parents protect their kids.
Freight Fungi
Claire Laurenz & Christopher Rasschaert
Christopher and Claire pitched an ecofriendly alternative to plastic packaging. They created a sterile package material made from mushroom mycelium - a common waste product in the food industry.
20 20 21 2022 20 23 2024
2025
15 YEARS OF
BreezeSweep
Ashfaq Sayeed, Daniel Lahey & Alex Reilly
BreezeSweep topped the High Growth competition, taking the $10,000 grand prize home with their direct-to-consumer electricity-producing windmill.
2022 marked the beginning of a new competition format for The New Venture Challenge, splitting the top prizes among three different venture categories.
Dominator Cleats
Lawai’a Brown
Entrepreneurship student and CMU football linebacker Lawai’a Brown beat out the competition to take home the $10,000 Overall Best Venture award with his football cleat prototype, a new football cleat designed to prevent common player injuries like turf toe.
The Cupcake Cafe
Mariah Sperkoski
Passionate cupcake expert Mariah baked her way to the top in Main Street with The Cupcake Cafe.
Thanks to the support of Michael & Dianne Morey, 2023 marked the reintroduction of the Overall Best Venture award: An additional $10,000 award for the best top venture of out the three categories.
STEMPOWER
Bayle Golden
Graduate student Bayle Golden took home the $10,000 Overall Best Venture award with her nonprofit, STEMPOWER, an organization aimed at increasing STEM participation for girls living in rural areas.
REWIND & REFLECT COMPETITOR
Zach Huffman ‘18
Hyvion
“The people are what makes NVC what it is. We would not be where we are today without the mentors, advisors, and everyone that sat down and talked to us and was willing to take a meeting and spend 30 minutes a day with us. That’s what got us to where we are and that has grown us to where we are. Sure the 20 thousand-dollar prize make you feel really good, but it’s the lasting relationships that I think make NVC what it is - it’s the people that they bring forward to help, support, and inspire people to become business owners and entrepreneurs.”
Hailey & Bryan Caragay ‘17 Hazel
Coffee Co.
and mentorship meetings I was able to really solidify what Ignite is today.”
“My life would not nearly be what it is without the New Venture Competition. The people that we met helped give us the confidence to start our own thing. I called one of our mentors when I was deciding between keeping my job or fully diving in. Without that confidence in knowing we had people in our corner still at Central that we met, that we competed with, that have competed in years past, they really gave us the confidence we needed to take it from the university to the real world.”
Diana Magdaleno-Leal ‘23
Don Abelardo’s Bakery
“NVC helped me understand that this is something I could actually pursue and not just something to be interested in while in college. I won first place in the Main Street category. The biggest lesson I took was to be yourself. I was able to get new equipment and a new mixer and uniforms. Our baked goods are now in 43 markets, 5 restaurants and we’re hoping to get into larger grocery chains. Go ahead and take that challenge, you never know where you will end up.”
MILESTONES Celebrating
As fifteen years of the New Venture Challenge conclude, they leave behind a legacy of hundreds of student entrepreneurs who transformed concepts into market realities—each pitch, prototype and business plan contributing to an evolving ecosystem that continues to shape campus innovation culture while preparing students to address tomorrow’s challenges through entrepreneurial thinking.
877 COMPETITORS
507 VENTURES OVER $1,000,000 IN CASH AWARDS
Introduced the Innovation Showcase, giving students the opportunity to spotlight creative and inventive projects.
Launched the Alternative Entrepreneurial Pathways competition track new competition category for students who plan to acquire businesses or work within family-owned businesses.
Added new special awards— including the Rural Impact, Creativity, and Campus Impact Awards— to recognize promising ideas and unique focus areas beyond the overall winners.
NEW PATHWAYSConstructing
We’re expanding the entrepreneurial ecosystem with new programs, experiences and more opportunities to take risks and launch new ideas beyond the startup.
Institute for Entrepreneurship
Our mission is to serve student entrepreneurs across campus and beyond. We aim to maximize student success by fostering their entrepreneurial mindset, promote interdisciplinary collaboration and provide support for the creation and development of new ventures.
PROGRAMS IBIE
We’re expanding the entrepreneurial ecosystem with new programs and hands-on experiences to give students opportunities to take risks and launch ideas beyond the New Venture Challenge.
Explore the possibilities.
IDEA DEN MAKERSPACE
Build on your ideas and find community in the Idea Den Makerspace.
STEPHEN WAKELING & ERIN GENDRON ENTREPRENEURIAL SCHOLARS
Explore the entrepreneurial world as a Wakeling Gendron Entrepreneurial Scholar.
Click to explore programs
UNIVERSITY INNOVATION FELLOWS
Jump start innovative campus initiatives as a University Innovation Fellow (UIF).
MENTOR PROGRAM
Learn from experienced and driven professionals within our mentoring program.
Click
PROTOTYPING IN THE DEN
PROTOTYPING IN THE DEN
Fender Flare yourAproducttokeepcarclearofmud.
Swift
Assist
Assistance device for people with disabilities.
HOT OFF THE PRINTERS
JadeWalleman-Handymap
Tremello
Amusicaltool forguitars.
The Idea Den Tech Coordinators work closely with student entrepreneurs on developing the material, vision and processes to make any idea into reality, supporting students through the first steps of product design and manufacturing.
MobileMedicalUnit
Russell Timmerman Gunther Guitar Co.
Bruno Guberinich - AutoForge3D
IBIE Programs
FELLOWS University Innovation
The University Innovation Fellows program, a global initiative from Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, empowers student changemakers to reimagine their campus environments through innovative solutions. At Central Michigan University, the 2024-2025 cohort of four fellows has focused on transforming underutilized spaces into outdoor learning and community hubs. These exceptional students—Michelle Amoo, Mela Hammond, Reeve Katt, and Vibeke Rivet—represent diverse academic backgrounds from law and economics to mechanical engineering. Through their visionary geodesic dome project, equipped with Wi-Fi, seating, and soundproofing, they aim to create environments that enhance student productivity, mental health, and campus connections.
The fellows showcased their visionary project in the neTherlands!
congraTulaTions fellows for earning your pin!
ENTREPRENEURIAL SCHOLARS Stephen Wakeling and Erin Gendron
The Wakeling Gendron Entrepreneurial Scholars Program at Central Michigan University transforms students’ professional trajectories through immersive real-world experiences, including trips to Detroit’s innovation hubs, Atlanta’s tech corridor, and the South by Southwest Conference in Texas.
sXsW posTed Wge on their insTagram page!
As Wakeling and Gendron look toward the future, their vision remains student-centered and impact-focused. “As an entrepreneur, I’ve spent a lot of time gathering groups of people together and chasing down a vision that not so long ago felt like an impossibility,” Wakeling reflected. “We have a really great group that isn’t just part of the scholars program—they’re now part of the team. I’m excited to see what we can continue to build together.”
PrograM FoUnders, erin gendron & stephen waKeling
BeauTiFul nightvieW in austin, Texas
MENTORSHIP Meaningful
We asked the mentors: How does NVC help students in today’s world?
“It can pull out the entrepreneurship spirit in somebody. It can make them a little bit more fearless. And I think that can provide tremendous value far beyond just starting a business, whether you are starting one or whether you’re going to go in and be a great team member at another company.”
- Dan Ward, co-founder and president of Detroit Labs
“With diverse competition tracks and significant cash awards, it fosters creativity, builds confidence, and encourages innovation. Ultimately, the NVC helps prepare students for realworld business challenges.”
“One of the many things I love about my role at CMU is seeing students grow through the New Venture Challenge. The real value of NVC is in the experience. It pushes students to refine their ideas, connect with key stakeholders, and receive valuable feedback.”
- Dr. Lauren Zettel, assistant professor of Entrepreneurship in the CMU College of Business
“Embrace failure—it’s not the opposite of success; it’s part of the process. Every setback is a lesson that sharpens your skills and strengthens your resilience. The sooner you lean into that mindset, the more unstoppable you become.”
- Danny Butler, CEO of Invest in You Coaching
“NVC matters because it helps kids realize the entrepreneurial dream isn’t just for the Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos of the world. It’s obtainable for anyone with hard work, conviction, and the ability to pivot.”
- Matthew Skornicka, CPA, Skor, P.C.
Celebrating mentorship at every stage. ACORN AWARDS JEFF THOMAS
In memory of Jeff Thomas, the Entrepreneurship Department presents awards to individuals who honor Jeff’s legacy and passion for entrepreneurship. The acorn is a symbol of growth and unlimited potential, something which Jeff was extremely passionate about. It possesses “oak knowledge”, or all the knowledge that is needed to create a mighty oak tree. The acorn teaches us about our own potential, as one acorn can grow into a colossal oak tree and seed an entire forest.
Each year two recipients receive the Jeff Thomas Acorn Award.
The “Future Oak” award will be awarded to an individual that has really “planted” themselves in the entrepreneurship program by making the most of the opportunities at CMU and showing indicators of entrepreneurial leadership.
The “Oak” award will be given to a current or past faculty member, advisor, or alumni who has directly invested themselves, their ideas, their connections, and experiences towards supporting entrepreneurial students.
Joseph Affholter MTRAC Commercialization Program Director Oak Award
“I had an aching sense that our time is short, shorter than we ever know, short as a morning run, and I wanted mine to be meaningful. And purposeful. And Creative. And Important. Above all...different. I want to leave a mark on the world.”
Trevor Shuman ‘24 Entrepreneurship Graduate Future Oak Award
Erin Markovicz ‘24 Entrepreneurship Graduate Future Oak Award
- a quote from Jeff’s favorite book, Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
COMMUNITY It Takes A
Donor
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Over a million dollars awarded to student ventures.
Thank you to all past and current donors who have made student ventures possible.
Alpine Holdings, L.L.C.
Bandit Industries, Inc.
Mr. Daniel J. Boge
Mr. Dennis Buckler
Shannon Burke
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Cross
Dow Corning Corporation
Mr. Michael J. Drew
Epsilon Nu Tau Eta Chapter
Mr. and Mrs. Jae Evans
Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC Attorneys
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Halewicz
Health Care Reimbursement Solutions Inc.
IBT Foundation
Isabella Bank
K.C. Jones Plating Co.
Mr. Chris King
Mrs. Rhonda Kohler
Mr. Zachary Konarska
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne M. & Vicki Korson
Mr. and Mrs. John G. Kulhavi
Mr. Robert M. Larson
Lodgco Management
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy R. Maczka
Mr. Kenneth McCarter
Mecca Properties, LLC
Mrs. Julie Messing
Ms. Jessica Meyers
Michigan Technological University
Middle Michigan Development Corporation
Mr. and Mrs. Mike & Dianne Morey
Mr. Paul B. Murray
Nexteer Automotive
Mr. Ross A. Noel
Mrs. Kristie M. Nystedt
Ms. Nathalie Osborn
Mr. Douglas M. Parker
Mr. Lyn Patrick
PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP
Raleigh Brewing Company
Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. & Judy Reed
Mr. and Mrs. David H. & Susan Roberts
Mr. Clyde W. Rucker
Mr. and Mrs. John Ruther
Mr. and Mrs. John G. Scalabrino
Mr. Matthew Skornicka
Spectrum Health
SpinifexIT North America Inc.
The Stroh Companies Inc.
Team Financial Group Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen J. & Nancy Vander Laan
The Labelle Family
Mr. Craig VanRaemdonck
Ms. Erin Gendron and Mr. Stephen O. Wakeling
Mr. Roger A. Wittenbach
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you for 15 years of evaluating student ideas.
Shorouq Almallah
Ron Alvesteffer
Dave Anderson
Melodie Anderson-Boling
Justin Ashman
Lindsay Aspegren
Emily Austin
Ragnar Avery
Blake Bachelor
Ed Bailey
Carter Ballinger
Dylan Banagis
Alan Barr
Rebeca Barrios
John Bartos
Rick Barz
Kyle Bazzy
Julia Becker
John Bedz
Ron Beebe
David Bell
Skylar Bennethum
Jeff Bennett
Jennifer Bialy
Wayne Blaser
Kevin Blaser
Tyler Bradfield
Bob Brentin
Joy Buchanan
Rob Burgan
Bryan Caragay
Hailey Caragay
Greg Cocke
Kevin Cotter
Brent Cox
Nick Cozzi
Chuck Crespy
Casey Croad
Glenn Cross
Lee Curtis
Scott Daigger
Jim Damman
Peder Danielsen
Kathy Daunheimer
Scott Daunheimer
Rico DiGirolamo
David Dirven
Lynette Disberry
Martin Dober
David Dorner
Rachele Downs
Michael Drew
Ellington Ellis
Carl Erickson
Gunther Evanina
Jae Evans
Bonnie Fahoome
Lee Falck
Andy Fennell
Ron Fillmore
Michael Finney
Lori Fischer
Paul Fisher
Amy Fisher
Cindy Fitzgerald
Louis Foreman
Tony Fox
James Franz
Christy Fultz
Elissa Gagne
Warren Galloway
Brian Gibson
Mike Gilmour
Jacalyn Goforth
Keith Goodwin
Tyler Gostinger
Denise Graves
Steven G. Grimes
Evanina Gunther
Steve Hahn
Amberlyn Hales
Michelle Hall
Bob Hanson
Mike Harter
Jim Hayes
Richard Hayes
Vince Hendon
Larry Herriman
Jackie Herring
Camille Hoisington
Dom Holmes
Kristen Holt
Debbie Horak
Zachary Huffman
Spencer LaBelle
David Ladner
Ryan Landau
Matt Larson
Bob Larson
Anthony Lazzaro
Arpana Lhila
Courtney Lorenz
Jody Lundquist
John Lynch
Paul MacArthur
Sherry Magnusson
Tim Magnusson
Daniel Mahlebashian
Brianna Makaric
Jim Marinik
Andrew Mason
Paul Masson
Maggie Mayes
Jim McBryde
James McBryde
James McColgan
Kevin McCurren
Thomas McElgunn
Robert McKellar
Nick Jacqmain
Paul Jacques
Mike Jakolat
Travis Johnson
Don Johnson
Dave McQuade
Jim Mentele
Emily Miller
Sharon Miller
Chris Moberg
Fred Molnar
Kati Mora
Melanie Kalmar
Neil Katz
Tom Kelly
Linda Kennan
George Kikano
John Kolarevic
Zachary Konarska
Vicki Korson
Ken Kousky
Terry O’Brien
Mike O’Donnell
Dan Odykirk
Nick Oertel
Reed Shick
Ted Skinner
Bob Oros
Olivia Pageau
Amy Parsons
Erin Patrice
Lyndell Patrick
Daniel Pearson
Marv Pichla
Samantha Pina
Michael Pintek
Sarah Pobocik
Brian Polowniak
Robb Porter
Troy Prill
Elizabeth Propp
Q & R
Jeff Punches
Penny Queller
Arcadio Kayo Ramirez
Rick Rautanen
Sethu Reddy
Alex Redei
Lee Richards
Susan Roberts
Dave Roberts
Eric Roberts
Joe Roebuck
Dovid Roetter
Dave Romenesko
Chris Moultrup
Brent Mulder
Philip Mundt
Paul Murray
Kyle Murray
Mohamad Mustafa
Doug Neal
Gerry Rosten
Clyde Rucker
Mike Rush
John Ruther
Kristin Ruther
Stanley Samuel
Bob Schroeder
Matthew Skornicka
Paula Sorrell
Kyle Stahl
Tony Stamos
Peter Stencel
Tom Stewart
Erin Strang
Doug Strock
Timothy Syfert
Lisa Tarkington
Eris Taylor
Bruce Thelen
Bill Thomson
Amanda Tillotson
Alexanderia Tinker
Matt Uhl
Dave Underwood
Al Vander Laan
Leslie Vickey
Jon Voigtman
Stephen Wakeling
Dan Ward
Mark Wayne
Jeff Wesley
Doug White
Chris Williams
Emily Worline
Art Worster
Deb Zellner
David Zick
Janice Underwood A B C D E F G H M T U V Z J K L N O P S W
Laura Coffee
Tom Coke
Liz Conway
Bill Cook
Courtney Garrett
Taylor Gast
Erin Gendron
John Gershenson
Ira Kreft
Nick Krzyzaniak
Art Kubert
John Kulhavi
David Nows
Kristie Nystedt
Mike Schutte
Jerome Schwind
Tember Shea
Caryn Shick
Your generous investment and expertise represents the true spirit of entrepreneurship.
Mentor
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you for your dedication to supporting and guiding student entrepreneurs.
AJoe Affholter
Dr. Paul Albee
Concha Allen
Michael Armstrong
Justin Ashman
Emily Austin
Jim Baker
Julie Baker
Carter Ballinger
Dylan Banagis
Jeff Banker
Kurt Baringer
Andrew Barnard
Michele Bartosek
Al Beahn
David Bellimar
Jim Bennethum
Skylar Bennethum
Robert Berry
Eric Blaine
Kevin G Blaser
Vigdis & Emil Boasson
Rose Brauner
Tim Brockman
John Bunch
Shannon Burke
Kevin G Campbell
Bryan Caragay
Kim Carrion
Lisa Casper
Jeremy Catarino
Sarah Cay
Ken Cherry
Usha Chowdhary
Chuck Crespy
Casey Croad
Glenn Cross
Patrick Curtin
Robert Dahl
Dr. James Damitio
Michael Drew
Tyson Dubay
Lee Falck
Martea Ferguson
Amy Fisher
Charles Fitzpatrick
Nancy Fitzpatrick
Steve Ford
James Foulds
Gary Gagnon
Daniel Gaken
Courtney Garrett
Delbert Garrett
Dr. Timothy Gates
Mike Gilmour
Sean Goffnett
Tom Gordon
Kelly Grace
Patrick Grashorn
Denise Graves
Joe Green
John Gustincic
Steve Hahn
Howard Haines
Daryl Hargrove
Steven Harrast
Felecia Harrell
Anthony Hawksby
Joe Herman
Andrew Heuerman
Troy Hicks
Monica Holmes
Dom Holmes
Nick Houghton
Jeff Hoyle
Zhenyu Huang
Zachary Huffman
Cheryl Hunter
Nizar Hussein
Bryan Janes
Greg Jaroch
Aaron Jones
Samantha Jones
Tolga Kaya
William Kelly
Zachary Konarska
Sandra Kragujevac
Fredrick Kulhman
Anil Kumar
Jason Lacina
Andre Laplume
Anthony Lazzaro
Delois Leapheart
Jonathan Leinonen
Kevin Lentz
Lawrence Lepisto
Paul Levy
Qi
Liao
Matthew Liesch
Samuel Lockwood
Courtney Lorenz
Michele Loughead
Russell Louks
Kevin G Love
Maureen MacGillivray
Bruce Marble
Lincon Mason
Kevin McCarron
Jim McColgan
Thomas McElgunn
Julie Messing
Roy Messing
Latesha Merkel
Janet Metsa
Dr. Van Miller
Terence Moore
Kati Mora
Michael Morley
Clark Most
Ian Mull
Philip James Mundt
Jim Muri
Kyle Murray
Phil Musser
Dr. J Naber
Paul Natke
Concha Neeley PhD
Paul Nelson
Lincoln Niewladomski
Ross Noel
David Nows
Scott Oberski
Patrick Okonkwo
B C D F G H M T U V Z J K L N O P R S W
Abdrew Dennison
John Diebel
Jerry DiMaria
Bill Dobreff
John Kemp
Cedric Kennedy
David Knapp
Heather Knewtson
Emanuel Olivera
Kasryn Olson
Pyayt Oo
Ken Orr
Olivia Pageau
Kevin Park
John Parmentier
Pablo Parraga-Ramirez
Brian Partie
Jim Penz
Samantha Pina
Mike Pisani
Mark Pittillo
Jonathon Poland
Hailey Polidori Caragay
Michael Potter
Jean Prout
Jeffrey Punches
Jason Ratledge
Alex Redei
Kaye Reimers
Alejandra Rengifo
John Repyak
Robby Roberts
Spenser Robinson
Kristie Roethlisberger
Thomas Rohrer
Alvin Roselin
Steve Ruch
Kenneth Sanney
David Saroli
Mr. Sassine
Amanda Schafer
Matt Schantz
Chelsea Schelly
Mike Schuette
Cathy Schweihofer
James Scott
Patrick Seeling
Caryn Shick
Steve Shields
Edgar Simpson
Chad Skop
Matthew Skornicka
Robin Sosnow
David Stairs
Keeley Stanley
Jindoing Tan
Crina Tarasi
Eris Taylor
Ramesh Thakur
Jim Therrell
Less Thomas
Jeff Thomas
Taylor Thompson
Tomas Thundiyil
Alexanderia Tinker
Shane Torrey
Stefan Tracenrider
Stephen Tracy
Matthew Uhl
Rahul Uppasala
Tony Urban
Betsy VanDeusen-Macleod
Tony Vanhorn
Gustav Verhulsdonck
Patrick Vissner
Michael Vullemot
Jeff Wagner
Stephen Wakeling
Chris Wallis
Anne Walz
Dan Ward
Kristine Weidner
Dean Weston
Jared Weston
Bill Whalen
Curt White
Zac Williams
Ken Williams
Dee Williams
Ed Woelfert
Penny Woelfert
Emily Worline
Susanne Wroblewski
Roger Wyse
Robert Zelle
Deb Zellner
Lauren Zettel
Erin Zimmer
Gloria Obeso-Levy
Erin O’Brien
Teresa O’Brien
Daniel Odykirk
Peter Stencel
Michael Stinson
Sheri Stronach
Chelakara Subbaraman
“It is really important to be involved. Whether you’re a student or a business leader. It’s about getting a lot of good people together who are really driven. There is a great deal of energy about it and a lot of great opportunities come as a result.”
-Tony Fox, SBDC executive director and mentor
NVC SUPPORT TEAM Special Thank You
We want to recognize the dedicated people across campus and beyond who orchestrate workshops, assist competition participants, help build prototypes, design material, broadcast the competition and provide support throughout the entrepreneurial journey. Thank you for your contributions and support towards the NVC event and CMU student entrepreneurs.
BROADCAST PRODUCTION
The broadcast program within the CMU College of the Arts and Media has been a longtime partner of the New Venture Challenge. Thank you to Bob Larson, Professors Kevin Campbell and Mike Potter and producer Megan Hart for their partnership.
Thank you to the dedicated broadcast team:
Evan Blum
Mario Caballero
Kevin Campbell
Adrian Castillo
Bradley Falkhagen
Kris Ferrer
Matt Franklin
Gretchen Furst
Megan Hart
Joanne Hite
Sarah Kelly
Bob Larson
Aaron Moore
Andrew Portwine
DESIGN BUREAU
Mike Potter
Katelyn S
Timothy Short Jr
Reiken Smith
Rachel Summers
Christian Valk
cheers To 15 Years!
MUSEUM STUDIES
Thank you Professor Ron Bloomfield and the Museum Studies 315 Museums, Stakeholders and Community class for their work on the 15th Anniversary display project.
Kayli Adams
Natalie Armstrong
Justyn Boone
Eva Collins
Theodore Farley
Bailey Foley
Journie Garvie
Hunter Loubert
Madison Melcher
Chelsey Ortquist
Elliot Portice
Rebekah Wineman
Design Bureau has been a collaborating partner of NVC since 2013. This course is part of the Graphic Design major in the College of Arts and Media. Through this partnership, NVC students receive free graphic design services to build the branding of their venture while Design Bureau students gain experience working with clients and building their portfolio.
Thank you to Professors David Stairs and Clark Most for their longstanding support. And thank you to this year’s students who helped out our 2025 participants:
