This year’s Pitch Dingman Competition application phase saw a wide range of applications from undergraduate, graduate and PhD students from across UMD. After undergoing a quarterfinals review from alumni judges, we’re excited to announce the 2020 Pitch Dingman Competition semifinalists. The founders of the semifinalists teams will participate in workshops and receive mentoring to help them further accelerate their businesses, whether or not they make the cut for Pitch Dingman Competition Finals. On Friday, November 22 from 1-4 p.m. in Van Munching Hall, these 10 student startups will pitch their businesses to an expert panel of judges at the Pitch Dingman Competition Semifinals. We’re excited to see who wins the opportunity to pitch at the Finals on March 10, 2020 for a shot at the grand prize of $15,000!
Read on to learn more about each semifinalist team in their own words:
AlgenAir LLC – Dan Fucich, PhD ’20, Kelsey Abernathy
Indoor carbon dioxide accumulation is detrimental to our health and productivity. The aerium is the world’s first natural air purifier that uses algae to reduce carbon dioxide and produce oxygen as effectively as 25 house plants.
BraceLint, LLC – Daniel Raithel ’20
BraceLint is a completely flat, single-use, and patent-pending version of the lint roller that allows anyone to freshen their clothing once they are out of the house.
Door Robotics – Joshua Ermias ’20
Door Robotics is at the intersection of drones, virtual reality, and photography. We are launching a drone with an integrated virtual reality camera system.
G Styles – Goodness Ihekweme ’21
Gstyles is a handmade custom service for people that are tired of trying to fit into the clothes instead of letting the clothes fit into them. Gstyles styles is affordable and catered to women in different shapes and sizes.
Hydraze – Charles Grody ’20, Jack Sturtevant ’20, Tuvia Rappaport ’20
Hydraze Inc. is a sustainability-oriented venture that develops disruptive automatic toilet flushing technology with the ability to reduce average toilet water consumption by 45% which would save UMD at least half a million dollars annually.
ModBars, LLC – Jeff Su ’21, Wyatt Talcott ’21
ModBars, LLC seeks to provide delicious, nutritious snack bars that tailor to every consumer’s dietary need or want.
Pendulum Analytics, Inc. – William Sherman, MBA ’19/MS ’20
Pendulum Analytics, has a financial analytics platform that helps firms, like banks, extract valuable insight from their data. The insights will help firms retain existing customers and acquire new customers, so to grow their profit.
Rendered Inc. – Saba Tshibaka ’20
Rendered Inc is a sustainable solution for the clothing marketplace that works to combat large “fast-fashion” companies by vending quality & rare used apparel – and also educating our following about different sustainable practices.
Savvy Tech – Thomas Savransky ’20, Jonathan Schneider ’20, Igor Savchenko ’20 (UMBC)
Savvy Tech is reinventing the world of designer ecommerce. Our Enly app allows shoppers to virtually try on designer clothing to see their style and fit before ordering. Enly. See it. Try it. Buy it.
SweetsbyCaroline – Caroline Ta ’21
SweetsbyCaroline is a catering business that specializes in custom french macarons, cakes and cupcakes for your parties and events. We value and aim to bring your ideas into unique and delicious products while using the best quality ingredients.
Thank you to our esteemed Semifinals judges:
Jeff Grinspoon ’90, MBA ’95
Managing Director & Partner, VWG Wealth Management
Le Marie Thompson ’01
Founder, Nettadonna
Dan Connors ’82
General Counsel, xG Health Solutions
Keith Sullivan ’82
Senior Advisor, InTandem Capital Partners
Cee Smith
Founder, Cee Smith Media Group