Get ready, get set… go! It’s hard to believe, but it’s already here — our 10th anniversary Pitch Dingman Competition! This year, over 97 ventures applied, all vying for their share of $170,000 in prizes. Our panel of judges was able to narrow down the wide range of applicants to reveal the top teams that will be advancing in the 2025 competition. We’re excited to see the top ventures pitch on the big stage at our finals event on April 24 at Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center for a shot at the grand prizes!

Read on to learn more about the tracks and the ventures that will be advancing in the competition:

Alumni Tech Track

In partnership with the UMD Alumni Association, this track supports alumni-founded, tech and software ventures with traction. To be eligible, ventures must have some traction in the form of early customers, and/or a developed MVP/prototype that is being tested, and have less than $100K in annual recurring revenue. The finalist ventures in this campus-wide track for alumni will have access to support in an entrepreneurship bootcamp and coaching to take their ventures to the next step. On April 24, the finalist teams will pitch their businesses to an expert panel of judges on the Finals stage, and the semifinalist teams will showcase at Terp Town for a chance to win additional audience choice prizes.

Alumni Tech Track Finalists – pitching

Cursive – Joseph Thibault ’23 – Cursive is an API for authorship. We verify writing through transparency to support learning and responsible co-creation with AI.

Plan Forward – Anne Spear ’19 – Plan Forward is a decision-making platform for K-12 administrators, transforming raw data into actionable insights. By leveraging educational frameworks and AI models, we don’t just provide data—we make sense of it, helping schools and districts make informed decisions that drive continuous improvement. Our platform empowers educators to monitor progress and adjust strategies in real-time. Plan Forward helps schools tell the story behind their data, turning insights into meaningful action.

Alumni Tech Track Semifinalists

Presixion – Flavia Negrete ’22 – Presixion is developing a multi-channel lateral flow assay that can detect multiple pathogens from a single swab, providing a rapid, cost-effective, and scalable diagnostic solution for infectious diseases.

Bon Voyage – Bosith Weerasinghe ’23 – Optimizing Travel Planning for Single and Multiple-day Trips Using the Powers of Machine Learning and AI

Gym Supreme – Obidi Orakwusi ’12 – Product Design and Technology company with 3 patents. We influence the mass market adoption of self-care using fitness. We help a generation learn to take care of themselves and feel more confident through product design and technology.

Alumni Tech Track Quarterfinalists – Honorable Mention

Clinix – Sahar Farajun ’22 – Skip months of reading through thousands of pdfs and clinical notes – Clinix will do it for you! Clinix is a software to automate the data collection, analysis, and entry for clinical research.

Healthier Forms – Jose Leon ’17 – We have created a B2B SaaS platform to help Imaging Centers solve the complex and inefficient process of MRI safety by automating patient screening, implant guideline matching, and safety decision-making through an integrated, user-friendly dashboard.

InZone, Inc. – Jayme Kame ’24 – InZone is an expanding community of tweens built around mindful social media use, unlimited AI characters, fun 3D avatars, and parental oversight. Our primary customers are first‑time social media users aged 8–12 and our secondary customers are parents concerned with their children’s digital well‑being

Makerstate – Jenny Larios Berlin ’04 – Makerstate supports creators by building a clear path to monetizing cultural products with an AI-powered platform offering personalized venture building education, tailored career and artistic goal setting, and tools for independent production at scale. Here creators take ownership of their creative careers!

WISE Cities – Marie Brodsky ’24 – In the future that we hope to live in, our communities are adapted to support us as we age. We envision that we can participate meaningfully, take advantage of the resources available, and connect with one another at community spaces in our vicinity. But today, that world isn’t reality. Instead, although 90% of older adults want to age at home, 40% say they don’t know of organizations in their community that support them. For a change to happen, we need a new avenue for older adults and local providers to connect. WISE Cities spurs this change through an accessible platform for older adults to discover local services and opportunities, paid for by businesses who want to reach older adults.

YourStory – Steve Johnson ’16 – Provides AI-driven educational solutions tailored to K-12 students and teachers, supporting more personalized learning paths.

Alumni Main Street Track

In partnership with the UMD Alumni Association, this track is for alumni-founded, non-tech small businesses that have revenue and initial customers. To be eligible, ventures must have generated at least $1,000 in lifetime revenue and less than $100K in annual recurring revenue (ARR). The finalist ventures in this campus-wide track for alumni will have access to support in an entrepreneurship bootcamp and coaching to take their ventures to the next step. On April 24, the finalist teams will pitch their businesses to an expert panel of judges on the Finals stage, and the semifinalist teams will showcase at Terp Town for a chance to win additional audience choice prizes.

Alumni Main Street Track Finalists – pitching

3708 Spirits – Tony Ajayi ’10, Mitchell Linton, Zachary Spence – 3708 Spirits is an upscale premium locally black-owned agave spirit brand that is handcrafted using traditional methods and only the finest blue agave from Jalisco, Mexico.

Green Mechanics Benefit LLC – Justan Randolph ’19, Larry Davis – Give Us A Problem, We Will Use Nature To Solve It. We support large industrial clients, counties, farmers and municipalities in meeting their environmental permits through our innovative, cost effective and low disturbance nature-based technology portfolio.

Alumni Main Street Track Semifinalists

OcuClips – Mohil Gupta ’19 – The world’s first patented premium eyewear accessory. Say goodbye to discomfort from headphones or external pressure—OcuClips keeps your glasses secure and comfortable all day long.

Bright Labs Diagnostics – Jennifer Ukegbu ’14 – Our DNA, drug, and alcohol testing business provides reliable Testing & Diagnostic Services, Medical & Scientific Equipment Supply, and Consulting, Training, and Specialized Support Services. We serve a diverse customer base, including individuals (B2C) seeking DNA or drug and alcohol testing, businesses (B2B) such as employers, rehab centers, hospitals, and DOT-regulated companies needing workplace drug and alcohol testing, and government agencies (B2G) at the federal, state, and local levels requiring specialized testing solutions. Our expertise ensures accurate, compliant, and confidential testing services tailored to the needs of each client.

Alumni Main Street Track Quarterfinalists – Honorable Mention

Dream of Coffee – Reid Xu ’24 – A specialty coffee concept that bridges Gen Z preferences with the artisanal world of third-wave coffee. Through immersive flagship cafés, they partner with roasters to deliver ethically sourced, twist-based coffee experiences.

Envirowell – Alec Soffer ’23 – EnviroWell is an innovative water well technology company that utilizes a patented Safe, Directional, Drought-Resistant Dug Well (SDDW) method developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to provide safer, more cost-efficient alternatives for municipalities and regions with limited water infrastructure.

Ginja Snap – Shaakira DeLoatch ’17 – Ginja Snap is a functional ginger water beverage that transforms a health remedy into a grab-and-go, good and good for you beverage option for wellness enthusiasts. Free of carbonation, artificial flavors, and processed sugars, its ingredients are real and simple: water, organic ginger, raw honey, lemon, and lime. @drinkginjasnap on all social media platforms.

Greenie – Ethan Pham ’24 – Greenie is a flash retail business and e-commerce store, specializing in premium second-hand clothing to offer a sustainable alternative to fast fashion. We host CP Flea, College Park’s first premiere outdoor flea market that brings together 12+ vendors from across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. Our customers are style-conscious Gen Z and Millenials who value individuality, sustainability, and community.

HAT Ladies Pound Cake – Teri Walker ’92 – Hat Ladies Pound Cake Frozen Batter changes the way people bake at home with this frozen pound cake batter that let’s you bake fresh, homemade quality cake with 3-easy steps: Thaw, Pour and Bake – no mixing, measuring or mess!

Onye Vé – Goodness Ihekweme ’21 – Onye Vé exists to redefine luxury fashion by making high-quality, bold, and statement-making pieces accessible to individuals who want to express confidence, individuality, and power through their style. The brand’s core mission is to disrupt the industry by bridging the gap between exclusivity and inclusivity, ensuring that luxury fashion is available for all body types while maintaining high-end craftsmanship and uniqueness.

Main Street and Quattrone Tech Tracks

The semifinalist ventures in these two advanced UMD-CP student tracks will each receive a $500 prize, participate in an entrepreneurship bootcamp, and meet with advisors to help them further accelerate their businesses and make them more competitive for the next round. On Friday, March 28, the semifinalist teams pitched their businesses to an expert panel of judges in Van Munching Hall, and the top 3 of each track will be moving on to pitch on the Finals stage.

Main Street Track Finalists – pitching

Dare to Dream – Takiyah Roberts ’25 – Dare to Dream Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through entrepreneurship. They provide confidence, education, mentorship, and resources to help individuals chase their dreams unapologetically. Their initiatives include 9th-12th grade afterschool programs, the Young, Diverse, & Gifted Event Series, and an international project in Ecuador to build entrepreneurship among young dreamers.

Energy by Evelyn – Evelyn Murphy ’28 – Healthy, delicious snack food products made from simple, natural ingredients.

Papa Suya – Yassine Boukari ’27 – A West African culinary brand innovating through licensing, authentic products, and a scalable fast-casual model.

Main Street Track Semifinalists

Body Essentials by Abiara – Mathea Abiara ’28 – Body Essentials by Abiara (BEBA) is a bodycare brand dedicated to crafting high-quality products with cold-pressed, unrefined butters and oils, combined with carefully selected ingredients that cater to a wide range of skin types. At the heart of our formulations is Shea Butter, sustainably sourced directly from Nigeria, ensuring both authenticity and excellence in every product.

M’Elyon Organics – Adewunmi Agagu ’25 – At M’Elyon Organics, we passionately craft organic, handmade haircare products, blending the purest plant-based herbs, lightweight oils, and essential oils. Our mission? To unlock the secret to radiant, thriving hair. Each product in our lineup is a testament to our commitment to using natural and chemical free products, formulated to not only promote hair growth and strengthen follicles but to also combat hair breakage, hair thinning and shedding, and to block DHT (dihydrotestosterone), lastly, to also infuse your hair with lasting nourishment. Beyond nourishment, our creations boast anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties, ensuring your scalp’s health is always at its peak.

MundaneMarketplace – Obi Nzerue ’26 – Mundane Marketplace is a clothing brand that challenges the ordinary by redefining the everyday. We take inspiration from the overlooked details of daily life and transform them into unique, thought-provoking designs. Our brand thrives on the intersection of simplicity and creativity, making the mundane feel extraordinary. Our customers are individuals who appreciate minimalism with a deeper meaning—people who find beauty in the routine, the unassuming, and the often-ignored. They are creatives, deep thinkers, and those who seek to express themselves through subtle yet impactful fashion. Whether they’re artists, students, or professionals, our customers resonate with the idea that the mundane isn’t boring it’s a canvas for storytelling.

Main Street Track Semifinalists – honorable mention

Divine Ethereal Collections – Daisy Lopez ’26 – At Divine’s Jewelry, our vision is to empower individuals to express their unique style and embrace self-love through exquisite jewelry pieces. We aim to inspire confidence, celebrate individuality, and evoke a sense of self-expression in every wearer.

Grinzo Project – Anthony Kang ’27, Shen Gu ’25 – Grinzo is our team’s original IP brand that sells Grinzo-related creative merchandise such as keyrings, coasters, dolls, badges and other cultural and creative accessories. Our goal is to provide a unique and creative product experience for young people.

Ivansupply – Ivan Marroquin ’26 – A sneaker and streetwear brand with daily restocks, offering authentic products and fast shipping.

Linen and Purple Co – Ivon Santos Castellon ’25 – Linen and Purple Co is a purpose-led clothing store created to provide more women with modest clothing options for everyday wear, and special occasion. We aim to bridge the gap in the fashion industry for modest fashion.

Movement Street – Lyric Amodia ’25 – The Movement Street is a nonprofit organization founded in 2020 with the mission to make community service accessible, enjoyable, and impactful. We address the challenge of disengagement by creating creative pathways for people to volunteer, especially younger generations, in ways that feel inclusive and rewarding. Through in-person, virtual, and passive service initiatives, we foster a sense of connection and belonging, bringing people together to make a positive impact in communities they may not call home. Our approach transforms volunteering into a shared experience that inspires lasting change. Ultimately, we aim to increase volunteerism by ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to give back and feel supported.

Noir Auto Detailing – Ysaak Wabreha ’27 – Noir Auto Detailing was founded three years ago with a clear mission; to deliver high-quality, affordable car care to every client. We work with a diverse range of customers, including rental companies, wrap shops, and owners of high-performance vehicles, offering tailored yearly plans and partnerships. Additionally, we serve the general public by providing a wide spectrum of services, from routine maintenance detailing to in-depth disaster detailing. Our goal is to make professional-grade car care accessible and reliable for all.

ProTags – Jason Okorie ’25 – We specialize in creating entirely reusable, aluminum QR code-based business cards and name tags for students and organizations.

Sincere Gear – Adam Antar ’25, ’24 – Discover the essentials you never knew were essential. These are the game-changing products that will seamlessly integrate into your life, becoming indispensable from the moment you experience their transformative power.

Wellness Detailing – David Castillo ’26 – We provide mobile and at-business automobile detailing for both interior and exterior. We also offer paint correction and other vehicle revitalization services.

Quattrone Tech Track Finalists – pitching

BetterU – Saurabh Chapagain ’25 – BetterU is a gamified social habit builder that helps people become the best versions of themselves in a fun & social way!

Saved – Aayush Gupta ’25 – We turn live streams into viral clips.

Tailored – David Shukhin ’27, Ian Picard ’26 – We are making it easier and more accessible to buy secondhand clothing so we can reduce the impact of fast fashion on the environment. We are doing this by utilizing an AI-powered recommendation system paired with a tinder-style swiping interface. We are currently on the IOS App Store with 200+ users.

Quattrone Tech Track Semifinalists

PropertyWorx AI – Aaron Warren ’26 – PropertyWorx AI™ is a next-generation Proptech SaaS platform designed to revolutionize property management by streamline vendor-tenant communication, improve property maintenance operations, and enhance the customer experience for property management teams. The platform integrates Generative AI, Agentic Ai and a mobile-first experience. Our platform enhances automates maintenance workflows, property managers workflow automation, communication tools, analytics, tenant engagement and vendor management solutions powered by Insite22™ to help property managers reduce tenant turnover, improve operational efficiency, and simplify maintenance coordination.

Omniscouts – Vaibhav Vasudevan ’28 – Building AI agents for industrial/chemical sales reps finding exactly the right people to target with all the context.

Quattrone Tech Track Quarterfinalists – honorable mention

App Dev – Matt Gashaw ’25 – App Dev is bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world software development. This organization has a dual approach to social good; one is equipping UMD students with practical experience, crucial for securing internships in the saturated tech industry, and developing software for socially impactful corporate projects.

Finaive – Henry Uwabor ’26 – Finaive is an AI-powered escrow platform designed to make online transactions safer and more seamless for businesses, freelancers, and e-commerce users. Our platform ensures secure payments by holding funds in escrow until both parties fulfill their contractual obligations. Leveraging AI-driven fraud detection and automated dispute resolution, we minimize financial risks, prevent fraud, and streamline the payment process.

OMAL – Dikennaya Ejiogu ’25 – At OMAL Solutions, we specialize in matching businesses with the perfect freelancers to elevate their brand. From logo and brand identity design to web and UI/UX design, we offer everything you need to take your business to the next level. Our platform is your one-stop solution, streamlining the process of finding top talent and enabling you to fully automate your operations. What makes us different? We don’t just connect you with freelancers; we curate the right team for your unique needs, allowing you to focus on growth while we handle the details. Whether it’s a single project or ongoing support, our flexible packages ensure your business is always ahead of the curve. Though we’re a new agency, we’re fueled by a passion for excellence and a commitment to building lasting relationships. Ready to scale your business with ease? Let’s connect and explore how we can make it happen.

Pickaxe – Pranav Bolla ’25 – Our venture provides a sports betting optimization platform that combines consulting and proprietary software to maximize profits for our customers. We help individuals and groups leverage sportsbook promotions and bonus bets through strategic hedging, ensuring guaranteed profits.

Red Alert – Miles McDonald ’27 – Red Alert: an emergency information distribution system. Red Alert is an alert system to be used in the case of school shooting situations, which notifies students on campus of an emergency and allows them to easily report their status to school and police authorities. What separates Red Alert from other alert systems is its use of student locations to provide top-quality safety.

Sellwase – Bhagavan Bolli ’25 – Our venture offers a secure, university-exclusive platform where students can trade daily essentials such as textbooks, tables, and tech gadgets. We specialize in creating a safe and reliable environment that will only allow students to trade and ensure that every user is a current student or faculty member. This approach keeps the marketplace insulated from outside interference and scams, fostering a community-centric trading space that’s all about student convenience and connection.

SONE – Yonatan Tussa ’26 – An eye-tracking system to improve communication between patients and nurses.

Theki – Kareem Bishr ’25 – Theki is building a trust engine for technical hiring through Web3-verified credentials: Core Product: – Automated/instant credential verification platform that accurately verifies claims made on resumes – Real-time verification through established databases via Chainlink oracles – Privacy-preserving verification using zero-knowledge proofs for sensitive data – Blockchain-stored credentials owned by job seekers

Tranquil – Chirag Jain ’26 – AI-powered mental wellness platform where users can journal their thoughts and engage in weekly AI-driven conversations for emotional support and self-reflection. It integrates a chat feature and plans to incorporate GPT-powered voice interactions for a more natural and engaging experience.

Yuuera – Raymond Flowers ’27 – Yuuera is a platform that empowers teachers to develop engaging and dynamic conversational practice assignments for foreign language students, solving a critical lack of confidence and conversation capabilities of students in foreign language classrooms.

Our Incredible Judges

These early stages of Pitch Dingman Competition set the entire experience into motion and we are grateful for this exceptional group of judges that review, score and provide growth feedback for all applications. These judges are or were founders/investors/entrepreneurial support individuals themselves, and have played significant roles in our programs over the years. Thank you for all you do to support these founders in their journeys!

Round 1

Alumni Tech Track

Athena Abbott ’91
Brin Xu ’23
David Greenfield ’20
Drew Bewick ’88
Evan Shubin ’97
Kelsey Abernathy ’20
MaiLinh Ho
Reed Harrison ’71
Shivam Goyal

Alumni Main Street Track

Connie Ford ’77
Dan Raithel ’24
Francie Wasser ’11
Max Weiner ’96
Sammy Popat ’15

Main Street Track

Barathi Aravindan ’21
Bright Djampa ’22
Brooke Smith ’17
Fredrica Antwi ’15, ’21
Henrik de Gyor ’98
Natalie Urban ’19
Shane Kim ’98
Theresa Alfaro Daytner ’89
Tricia Homer

Quattrone Tech Track

Aishwarya Tare ’22
Alla McCoy ’13
Ben Slavin ’08
Bryan Houlton ’22
David Steele ’18
Jake Taub ’20
Josh Doying ’23
Mildred Diggs ’24
Rob Cohen
Ryan Downing ’22
Shannon Hynds
Sophie Li ’21
Tim Shaw ’90

Joan and Chester Luby Idea Track

Brandon Schwab ’15
Cedric Nwafor ’18, ’21
Chris Light ’93
Courtney Johnson ’23
Ellen McGeoch ’10, ’17
Erich Meissner ’18
Jenny Larios Berlin
Kobby Osei-Kusi
Latrice Wilson ’21
Marie Brodsky ’24
Matt Foulk ’23
Nazea Khan ’20, ’24
Nima Farshchi ’20
Obidi Orakwusi ’12
Phillip Alvarez ’22
Polly Vail ’04
Robert Choe ’23
Sourabh Mane ’24
Vaughn Hatfield ’25

Round 2 – Semifinals

Alumni Tech & Main Street Tracks

Bill Smith ’81
Chris Malone ’86
Hillary Berman MBA ’03
Moniesha Shorter ’96, MPP ’20

Main Street Track

Abby Malchow ’17
Neal Kursban MBA ’00
Sydney Parker ’18
Theresa Alfaro Daytner ’89

Quattrone Tech Track

Evan Shubin ’97
Maurice Boissiere ’89
Shalanda Armstrong MBA ’12

Round 3 – Finals

Alumni Tech & Main Street Tracks

Akash Magoon ’18
Elana Fine ’97
Jasmin El Kordi ’83
Sayed Naved MS ’92
Seema Alexander ’00

Quattrone Tech & Main Street Tracks

Ali von Paris ‘12
Chris Ballenger
David Quattrone MBA ’05
Jennifer Hsin ’98
Kendall Holbrook MBA ’01
Tom Parsons ’93 MBA ’10

Joan and Chester Luby Idea Track

Bryan Houlton ’22
Elana Fine ’97
Gary Swart ’83
Jainaba Ceesay
Jordana Lynn Armstrong
Sarah Miller
Shannon Hynds
Steve Freishtat ’81