Two College of Engineering student entrepreneurs were among 14 who competed in Michigan State University’s premier pitch competition, the Burgess New Venture Challenge (NVC), competing for more than $50,000 in non-diluted grant funding for their startups. Hosted by the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Burgess NVC is a learning experience for early-stage venturers, undergraduate and graduate students, to bring big ideas and bold solutions to a large audience.
This year’s reimagined format recognized and provided more opportunities for students to win. Awards were presented across four key categories: Pitch and Plan Awards, Challenge Awards, the People’s Choice Award, and the Entrepreneur Excellence Award.
Pitch and Plan Awards ($7,500 each)
Presented by Foster Swift, LEAP, and the Lansing Regional SmartZone, the Pitch and Plan Awards honor those who have a compelling pitch deck supported by a detailed, innovative, and actionable business plan. These awards are selected during the application process and recognize exceptional clarity, creativity, and feasibility, celebrating the entrepreneur’s vision and strategic plan.
The two engineering students who won Pitch and Plan Awards include:
AG3 Labs - Gavin Gardner, a master’s student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering AG3 Labs designed advanced, low-cost drones that leverage AI and cutting-edge innovation to redefine the capabilities of autonomous aerial systems.
BRCĒ - Tanvi Gadamsetti, a senior majoring in computer science engineering BRCĒ is a material-tech startup, developing an ecosystem of athletic performance gear and safety accessories to support athletes in performance and recovery, and industrial use cases. The company is the inventor of “The World’s first & only shoelaces that never come undone™ due to activity”, engineered with proprietary microscopic inter-lock technology, tailored for various sports, kids, young athletes & industrial work environments.
Challenge Awards ($2,500 each)
The Challenge Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in key areas of the pitch competition, recognizing teams that excel in categories like Showcase Pitch, Social Impact, Prototype, Booth/Display and Unique Idea.
An engineering student also won the following Challenge Award:
Booth/Display presented by MEDC
AG3 Labs - Gavin Gardner, a master’s student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on April 3, the event brought more than 300 students, faculty, mentors, alumni, and community members to campus. The evening included a semifinalist showcase, networking, and awardee pitches.
Original story by Aubrey Haase and Katie Haley appeared on the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship website.
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