Elevator Pitch fostered a space for networking amongst like-minded creators and also allowed the students to professionally and proudly present their pitches.
Last Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the DI Hub, LaunchNET hosted their annual Elevator Pitch Competition. 25 students pitched their venture ideas within a 90-second time limit and competed to win funding from a $3,000 prize pool.
LaunchNET is a co-curricular, cross-campus program that supports Kent State entrepreneurs and innovators, including students, alumni, faculty, and staff—anyone who wants to bring their ideas, inventions, and businesses to life.
This year’s Elevator Pitch Competition featured a panel of distinguished and innovative judges:
- Amy Mucha, Founder of
- Shanisha Collins, Founder of and Kent State alumna
- Dr. Michael Beam, Director of Emerging Media and Technology (EMAT)
After extensive deliberation the judges chose 4 winners, including 2 top prize winners and 2 runner-ups. Each top prize winner was awarded $1,000, while the runner-ups received $500 each.
Pictured, left to right: Amy Mucha, Shanisha Collins, and Dr. Michael Beam
The top prize winners, Aaron Rombach, Architecture graduate student, and Abigail Holeman, Visual Communication Design senior, each took home $1,000 for their ventures, and Teddy Denim, respectively. The former stood out for his innovative invention and the latter for her fantastic business concept and excellent pitch. Founder of , Angelique Wong, Emerging Media and Technology graduate student, stood out among the rest, earning her a place as a runner-up. Nicholas Huger, Entrepreneurship junior, also impressed the judges with his engaging pitch for Boobys Coffee and Tea, securing a spot as a runner-up winner.
Pictured, left to right: Aaron Rombach, Angelique Wong, Nicholas Huger, and Abigail Holeman
“This was such a great opportunity for me to connect with other student and local entrepreneurs. The whole evening really motivated me and inspired me to continue pursuing my venture.” - Angelique Wong, Angie's Sweets and Treats
The competition also garnered a dynamic partnership from Red Bull. The program empowers thinkers across the world to develop and launch ideas accelerated by AI technology. With this partnership, each Elevator Pitch participant who signed up for Red Bull Basement had the chance to win a semester supply of Red Bull and a Red Bull mini fridge, a prize that any entrepreneur can benefit from!
With the funding awarded and the supportive community fostered by this event, the Elevator Pitch Competition proved to be a rewarding event, igniting entrepreneurial enthusiasm across the Kent State campus.