On Friday May 3rd, 2013, five student startups pitched to a panel of judges for the last Pitch Dingman Competition of the school year. The student entrepreneurs ranged from University of Maryland undergrads to Executive MBAs, pitching everything from a food truck concept to a mobile application for farmers. In the end the judges and audience both chose Vitus, an IT platform for veterinarians, as their winning startup. Vitus won the $1500 grand prize and the $500 Audience Choice Award, bringing their total winnings to $2,000 of seed funding. BOVER, the aforementioned mobile app for farmers, received 2nd place honors and $500 in funding. Congratulations to both startups, the Dingman Center can’t wait to see where you go next!
We’d also like to recognize Cart Noodles, Terpiture and Sweet Buds for giving great pitches as well. It takes a lot of courage and poise to pitch a business, and these enTERPreneurs showed them in spades! We’re excited to see how much all of our finalists have grown since their first advising session and wish all of them the best of luck!
About Vitus
Team: Mark Olcott, DVM; Kalpesh Raval; Aman Sharma; Greg Rea; Kristina Bailey
Affiliation: Executive MBA cohort 12
As a practicing veterinarian, Mark Olcott can say with complete confidence that the way medical information is shared in the pet industry is broken and outdated. Vitus will use modern information technology to create innovative, web-based personal health records for pets that will help veterinarians grow their practice, improve hospital efficiency and save lives.
Vitus will enter the market by focusing on ER/specialty hospitals, as these facilities have the biggest “pain” and outsized influence. By using a two-sided market model, Vitus will build a large, monetizable network of pet owners and veterinarians united to help pets live longer, healthier lives.
About Pitch Dingman Competition
Twice a semester, students can compete for $2,750 in start-up funding at the Pitch Dingman Competition. Everyone is welcome to attend Pitch Dingman Competitions as an audience member and there is no need to register. For those of you Interested in competing, start by attending an informal Pitch Dingman Session taking place on most Fridays at the Dingman Center!