Two College of Engineering ventures were among 15 student startups that took the stage April 9 at Michigan State University’s Burgess New Venture Challenge, the university’s premier pitch competition for student entrepreneurs. Competing before an audience of more than 400 students, alumni, investors and community leaders, Spartan founders vied for $50,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, with two engineering-led ventures earning honors for ideas rooted in efficiency, automation and real-world problem-solving.
Hosted by the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, the challenge gives undergraduate and graduate founders an opportunity to refine their ideas, test business models and gain real-world experience on stage. This year’s event, held at the Marriott East Lansing at University Place during 517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week, also included private pitches, a semifinalist showcase and live finalist presentations representing six MSU colleges. “The Burgess New Venture Challenge is more than a pitch competition, it’s a launchpad for Spartan entrepreneurs,” Laurel Ofstein, senior director of the Burgess Institute, said in the original event coverage.
Winners were selected for first through fifth place, along with Social Impact and People’s Choice awards made possible through the support of sponsors.
5th place ($3,500)
Presented by Detroit Venture Partners, General Motors and MSU Women in Entrepreneurship, the fifth-place award went to Sapt, an AI-powered business operating system designed to help small and midsize businesses automate marketing, search engine optimization and content management. Sapt includes Benjamin Meyer, a senior in applied engineering sciences, and Uzair Mohammed, a master’s student in computer science.
Social Impact Award ($2,500)
Presented by the Center for Ethical and Socially Responsible Leadership, the Social Impact Award went to DryX, a compact, energy-efficient dish-drying system for small- to mid-scale commercial kitchens. The venture, led by Kaniz Fatema Promee, a senior in mechanical engineering, is designed to cut drying time from hours to minutes while reducing labor, space and energy waste.
In the months leading up to the competition, semifinalist teams worked with Spartan alumni and industry leaders serving as Venture Coaches, receiving mentorship, feedback and strategic guidance as they refined their ventures. The Burgess New Venture Challenge continues to serve as a platform for student founders to share ideas, receive feedback and take early steps toward building scalable ventures.
Original story by Katie Haley appeared on the Burgess Institute website. More information about the Burgess New Venture Challenge is available through the Burgess Institute.
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