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WELCOME

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 innovation - and 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.

Dean Chris Moberg College of Business Administration

Central Michigan University

Director Julie Messing

Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

Central Michigan University

Isabella

YEARS OF NEW VENTURES. YEARS OF STUDENT SUCCESS.

15 YEARS OF WINNING VENTURES

Daniel Pearson & Tyler Gostinger

Un-Corked

Courtney Lorenz, Emily

2018

Elemental Co. LLC

Haley Rusicka, Susanne Wroblewski, Emily Austin & Augusta Overy

Episcura

Kurt Baringer, Chris Green, Christian Day, & Patrick McAvena

BETSPERTS, LLC.

Reid Rooney, Sam Russell & Austin Harper

Ashfaq Sayeed, Daniel Lahey & Alex Reilly

SafeRow

The Cupcake Cafe

Bayle Golden

Mariah Sperkoski

Miller

Milele

Ben Mitchell & Wade Aitken Palmer Solar

Tyler Dunbar, Samantha Fiani, & Joe Shaheen

Craig Thomas, Nicholas Cozzi, & Phillip Zerull

Christopher Rasschaert & Claire Laurenz

LEGACY AWARD

CHARLES CRESPY

Dean Emeritus

CMU College of Business Administration

Former Executive Director

Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

NVC LEGACY AWARD RECIPIENTS

The Legacy Award pays tribute to two driving forces behind the creation 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 a platform where students could test ideas, build confidence, and connect with industry mentors.

This award commemorates their founding 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.

BRUCE MARBLE

EVENT SCHEDULE

11:00 AM

Competitor Check-In (EHS French Auditorium)

12:00- 12:30 PM

Judge Check-In (EHS French Auditorium)

1:00 PM-2:00 PM

1st Round Elevator Pitch Competition (BIO Atrium)

Stand Out Awards (BIO Atrium)

Final Round Competition (EHS French Auditorium)

2:00-2:10 PM

Alternative Entrepreneurial Pathways

2:10-2:15 PM

Elevator Pitch Finalists

2:15-2:55

Main Street

2:55-3:00 PM

Elevator Pitch Finalists

3:10-3:55

Social Mission

4:00-4:05 PM

Elevator Pitch Finalists

4:05-4:50 PM

High Growth

Strolling Dinner & Awards

5:00-6:30 PM

Venture Gallery & Innovation Showcase with Strolling Dinner (Bio Atrium & BIO 1010)

Innovation Showcase & Venture Gallery Voting (BIO Atrium & BIO 1015)

6:30-7:45 PM

Awards & Recognition Ceremony (EHS French Auditorium)

7:45-8:00 PM

Dessert & Champagne (EHS French Lobby)

DOWNLOAD THE APP!

Everything you need for NVC … Right in your pocket

A lot has changed since the New Venture Competition launched 15 years ago –including how we keep you connected. This year, skip the paper programs. All the information you need is now in one convenient place: the EventMobi app.

With the app, you can:

•Stay on top of competition schedules and last-minute changes

•Read about the ventures competing in elevator pitch rounds

•Cast your vote for Venture Gallery Best in Show

•Discover exhibitors at the Innovation Showcase

•Support the future of entrepreneurship with a quick donation

It’s easy to use, updated live, and helps us reduce waste.

Make the most of your NVC experience – with everything you need, right in your pocket. Just scan the QR code to download and get started.

Scan here to download and register for the app, Eventmobi

FULL PRESENTATION CATEGORY

The Full Presentation finalist teams take the spotlight in an exhilarating showdown of innovation, strategy, and vision. After months of refinement, pivots, and countless sleepless nights, these determined entrepreneurs will make their ultimate pitch for entrepreneurial glory and a shot at the coveted $10,000 grand prize!

Our finalists will compete in three dynamic venture categories: High Growth Main Street Social Mission

One team will walk away with $20,000.

The Dianne and Mike Morey Overall Best Venture Award | $10,000

While competitors bring bold ideas to every category, only one venture will rise above the rest to claim the Dianne and Mike Morey Overall Best Venture Award. This honor recognizes the team that embodies innovation, creative thinking, and the potential to make a real-world impact.

KATI MORA JEROME SCHWIND

LYNDELL PATRICK

JON VOIGTMAN

CRE Nutrition is a fast and easy way for people to take creatine. We are developing our own creatine water and flavored drinks, as well as mix packets that offer people a quick and easy way to get their daily recommended amount of creatine to better their mind and body.

AJ KOSTIC

CRE NUTRITION

Finding the perfect client or personal trainer shouldn’t be a workout itself! Gym Crush makes lead generation effortless for fitness professionals, connecting them with motivated clients through a seamless swipebased experience. Trainers, say goodbye to chasing leads—spend less time marketing and more time coaching. Clients, find a trainer who truly fits your goals, preferences, and lifestyle.

EVE HARTMANN

The only lightweight, foldable, and modular room divider that doubles as a green screen. Unlike bulky competitors, it’s easy to set up, transport, and store—without sacrificing durability! In addition to it solving the burden of bulky, heavy room divider, Porta-Wall also solves the issue with the lack of portability that green screens have. With room dividers and green screens being essentials in a lot of content creators’ and remote workers’ work setup, they will get 2-in-1 package with Porta-Wall

PORTA-WALL MARKUS SHANNON

JUDGES BRUCE CHATTERLEY JOHN KULHAVI

MAIN STREET

Brick & Mortar. Heart & Soul.

AWARDS

John Kulhavi Top

Main Street Award | $10,000

The Isabella Bank 2nd Place

Main Street Award | $5,000

3rd Place Main Street Award | $2,000

AutoForge 3D specializes in 3D printing high-quality, customizable, and discontinued automotive parts. By leveraging additive manufacturing, it will provide car enthusiasts, repair shops, and businesses with costeffective, on-demand solutions that reduce inventory needs and minimize waste. The mission is to bridge the gap between innovation and accessibility in automotive restoration and customization.

AUTOFORGE 3D BRUNO GUBERINICH

Fizzing by a passion for community and bold flavors, Fire Up Sips! brings a Utah-inspired soda experience to Central Michigan. More than just a drink shop, we’re a vibrant hangout where friends connect over specialty sodas and unique mix-ins. Fire Up Sips! is all about creating a fun, refreshing, and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.

FIRE UP SIPS! AUBREY VANDERMAAS

Songbird Studios is the progressive music publishing company that supports local songwriters. Our goal is to provide access and opportunities for Michigan-based songwriters to get their original music recorded, used, and heard. Through placements in movies and TV, recordings done by other artists, and consistent royalty payouts, we make building a career around songwriting possible. With an alteration on the traditional music publishing deal, Songbird Studios hopes to revolutionize the local music industry, providing compensation for creation while building a sustaining music community.

JACOB MCLE0D

SONGBIRD STUDIOS

JUDGES

SOCIAL MISSION

AWARDS

Glenn & Carol Cross

2nd

3rd

GeoDome is a social venture that builds innovative dome structures for college campuses to inspire third-space community beyond the classroom. Our mission is to construct welcoming, weatherproof spaces where students can gather, collaborate, and feel a real sense of belonging. By fostering outdoor engagement in communal settings, we aim to combat the loneliness epidemic that contributes to rising college dropout rates across the nation. We believe that shared experiences in thoughtfully designed spaces help students feel more at home, strengthening campus communities and student well-being.

MELA HAMMOND, MICHELLE AMOO & VIBEKE RIVET

GEODOME

Master Mental Mindset LLC is a mental health and motivational speaking service. We put students, athletes, and communities at the heart of an empowering journey. We aim to create a supportive and thriving community where every individual feels heard, valued, empowered, and inspired to reach their full potential. We provide in person interactive workshops for sports teams and schools, along with monthly virtual clinics for students and athletes. Together, we can break barriers, spark growth, and build a healthier, more connected community.

ALEXA WEBER

MASTER MENTAL MINDSET

Inner City Inclusion (ICI) is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering underserved youth by providing access to higher education. Through targeted programs, mentorship, and community support, ICI helps students from low-income, inner-city backgrounds overcome barriers to college success. By focusing on education and opportunity, ICI works to create lasting social and economic change, equipping the next generation with the tools they need to succeed academically, professionally, and personally.

MORGAN SHROPSHIRE, CARNELL POINDEXTER, AMBER LADD, KYLE COX & KENNEDY BUTLER

INNER CITY INCLUSION

ALTERNATIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL PATHWAYS

Inherit, Acquire, Thrive:

Alternative Paths to Ownership

AEP celebrates students pursuing nontraditional entrepreneurial journeys – whether through family business succession, innovation within existing companies, or entrepreneurship through acquisition. Selected after a competitive preliminary round of five-minute pitches and judge Q&A, the winning team will present their venture during the NVC Finals.

AWARDS

The Doug Parker Alternative Entrepreneurial Pathways Award | $5,000

BRYNN HUBBARD

PRO IMAGE DESIGN

JUDGES

ANDREW MASON

LIZ CONWAY

ZACHARY KONARSKA

Congratulations to Brynn on winning the AEP competition, and to finalists Brea Hoffman with Northwoods Art Studio and Ethan Strand with Equipment Funding Solutions for their well-delivered presentations.

ELEVATOR PITCH

ELEVATOR PITCH TEAMS

Atti Naomi’s Foundation

Omomoemi Agbegha

BloomWish

Que Huynh

Bright Route

Nick O’Brien

Creabrew

Mitchell Metiva

EcoLink

Pratham Agarwal, Aashka Barot, Shamita Devanand, Sakshi Rajput

Equipment Funding Solutions

Ethan Strand

FabFits

Poornimai Mekala

Handymap

Jade Walleman, Umm-E-Aimen

HSH Travels

Carolina Hernandez Ruiz

I-Sure

Shamita Devanand

Ksitira

Meenakshi Cheella

MusselMineral

Masaki Hara

North Woods Art Center

Brea Hoffman

NutriSpark

Ryan Leonard

Park Buddy

Isabel Messinis

Audreyanna Rollins

Bray Wiesenauer

To view team details

Prosper Theories

Pratham Agarwal

Pure Essence

Tarek Attal

Roots & Wings

Naina Rajan

Samahjay’s Soul Food

Samahjay Hitchcock

Sight Haptics

Daniel Lahey

Steel on Wheels

Jared Moore

Ashtin Keeler

Style Mirror

Bailey Anderson

Taste of Home

Aksh Chaturvedi

Zainab Naaz

Maaz Ahmed

The Multiplayer Foundation

Christian Toney

The Spiral Initiative

Kenndall Wallace

Twine

Adepileola Adebeso

Ugonna Emeka-Inegbu

Morgan Mussehl

Grace Osiri

Praise Oyimi

Up North Adventures + Connection

Sawyer Cadarette

Maxwell Grubaugh

VENTURE GALLERY

Check out the venture gallery and meet the teams during the strolling dinner!

JUDGES

JUSTIN ASHMAN

SKYLAR BENNETHUM

LUKE CASTLE

AARON DESENTZ

AWARDS

ANDREW MASON SAMANTHA PINA KEN TATE

Best Venture Gallery Award | $4,000

2nd Place Venture Gallery Award | $2,000

The Greg and Sue Cocke 3rd Place Venture Gallery Award | $1,000 (2) Honorable Mentions | $300

YOUR VOTE COUNTS!

Team Financial Top Audience Choice Venture Gallery Award | $1,000

Venture Gallery Audience Choice Runner-Up | $500

Vote for your favorite displays! Your voice helps decide the Audience Choice Best-in-Show Awards.

SPECIAL AWARDS

The Bob Larson Creativity Award

$2,500

The Doug Parker Rural Impact Award

$5,000

The CMURC Free Membership Award

$1,500 value

The Chandler Skornicka Memorial Award for Innovation

$650 & Accounting Services

The Roger Wittenbach Visionary Award

The No Problem Processing Entrepreneurial Spirit Award

$2,500

$5,000 The MMDC Investor Award $3,000

$1,000

JULIA BECKER

BRYAN CARAGAY

CASEY CROAD

ZACHARY KONARSKA

ERIN MARKOVICZ

MARCUS MARTIN

PHILIP MUNDT

KYLE MURRAY

OLIVIA PAGEAU

SAMANTHA PINA

JEFF PUNCHES

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous supporters and donors whose commitment to fostering entrepreneurship has made our special awards possible!

The Innovation Showcase at the New Venture Challenge highlights non-competing students, programs, and projects that are pushing creative boundaries and building a culture of innovation across campus.

INNOVATION AWARDS SHOWCASE

Team Financial Top Innovation Showcase Award | $1,000

The Dennis and Brenda Buckler Innovation Showcase

Audience Choice Runner-Up | $500

VIEW DISPLAYS

Check out all the awesome display tables from colleges across campus!

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 Program

CBA Faculty & Staff

CMU Advancement Team

CMU Catering

CMU Printing Services

Design Bureau

Museum Studies Program

NVC Advisory Board

PLAN Office

University Events

CBA Dean’s Office

FUEL THE FUTURE

Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

The New Venture Competition, Lyndell Patrick Make-a-Pitch, and all the hands-on programming offered through the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship are only possible because of the generous support of our mentors, volunteers, and donors.

IBIE empowers students to turn bold ideas into action – fostering entrepreneurial thinking, leadership, and real-world experience across disciplines. From launching ventures to innovating within existing businesses, students gain the skills and confidence they need to make a lasting impact.

This work doesn’t happen alone. It happens because passionate individuals give their time, talent, and resources.

Join us in shaping the future of entrepreneurship.

Get involved. Give back. Make a difference.

DONATE HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!