By Aubrey Haase, Katie Haley
On April 3, fourteen student entrepreneurs competed in Michigan State University’s premier pitch competition, Burgess New Venture Challenge (NVC), competing for over $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.
Spartan alumni and industry professionals play a vital role in supporting student entrepreneurs throughout the Burgess NVC experience. Over several weeks, 27 alumni Venture Coaches from across the country volunteered their time to work closely with semifinalist teams, helping refine business models, strengthen pitches, and prepare for the day of the Challenge.
During the application process, seven Entrepreneurs-in-Residence served as Pitch and Plan Judges, evaluating teams' business plans and pitch decks, selecting this year’s five Pitch and Plan awardees. The Challenge culminated with nine distinguished alumni serving as Challenge Judges, who evaluated semifinalist teams during the Student Showcase and selected the five Challenge awardees.
Held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, 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.
“Burgess New Venture Challenge continues to be an incredible showcase of our entrepreneurial talent here at Michigan State University”, said Laurel Ofstein, faculty director of the Burgess Institute. “We are extremely proud of all the teams that participated this year. The creativity and passion from these students is truly inspiring.”
This year’s reimagined format recognized and provided more opportunities for our students to win big. Awards were presented across four key categories: Pitch & 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.
AG3 Labs - Gavin Gardner, College of 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, College of Engineering
BRCĒ is a material-tech startup, developing an ecosystem of athletic performance gear & safety accessories to support athletes in performance and recovery & industrial use-cases. We are the inventors 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.
Cocomar - Fatima Taha, Eli Broad College of Business
Cocomar is a premium ready-to-drink protein smoothie brand that blends real fruits with coconut water to deliver delicious, nutrient-packed hydration and complete protein for a healthy, active lifestyle.
Dilemaa - Ben Kim, Honors College
Dilemaa is a Q&A social media app to share and solve dilemmas.
TrailEagle Packs - Kevin Burnett, Eli Broad College of Business
TrailEagle Packs specializes in designing and creating next-generation soft goods and textile-based gear with innovative designs.
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.
Showcase Pitch presented by Fenner Melstrom & Dooling and Detroit Venture Partners
Dilemaa - Ben Kim, Honors College
Dilemaa is a Q&A social media app to share and solve dilemmas.
Social Impact presented by the Center for Ethical and Socially Responsible Leadership
Safety Straw - Jack Rushlow, Communication Arts and Sciences
Safety Straw develops straws that change colors when it comes in contact with a date rape drug.
Prototype presented by Foster Swift
TrailEagle Packs - Kevin Burnett, Eli Broad College of Business
TrailEagle Packs specializes in designing and creating next-generation soft goods and textile-based gear with innovative designs.
Booth/Display presented by MEDC
AG3 Labs - Gavin Gardner, College of Engineering
AG3 Labs designed advanced, low-cost drones that leverage AI and cutting-edge innovation to redefine the capabilities of autonomous aerial systems.
Unique Idea
Memory Sketch - Angela Leach, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
A medical device for Alzheimer's disease that enables real-time monitoring of cognitive decline by tracking and analyzing a patient's daily drawings, providing valuable insights into the progression of the disease.
People’s Choice Award ($1,000)
Presented by The 4100 Group, the People’s Choice Award recognizes the team that made the strongest impression on the live audience during the Student Showcase, selected by the attendee vote.
Memory Sketch - Angela Leach, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
A medical device for Alzheimer's disease that enables real-time monitoring of cognitive decline by tracking and analyzing a patient's daily drawings, providing valuable insights into the progression of the disease.
Entrepreneur Excellence Award ($10,000)
Presented by MSUFCU, the inaugural Entrepreneur Excellence Award honors a standout entrepreneur that exemplifies exceptional innovation, growth, and impact. This award recognizes a student entrepreneur who has demonstrated outstanding performance, a strong market presence, and a clear vision for continued success, serving as a model of entrepreneurial excellence.
ZolliCandy - Alina Morse, Eli Broad College of Business
ZolliCandy is Zero-Sugar, Allergen-Free, KETO, Diabetic friendly, Vegan, & Kosher candy that cleans your teeth.
Burgess NVC was held during the Greater Lansing area’s inaugural 517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation in partnership with the Lansing Regional SmartZone, MSU Research Foundation, and the MSU Innovation Center.
"The future of our region starts with students who are engaged in scaling their ideas right here in the Lansing Region," said Harrison Leffel-Jones, vice president of small business & innovation at LEAP. "LEAP and the Lansing Regional SmartZone are proud to support the Burgess New Venture Challenge and the companies that have grown through the support from this program.”
More information about 517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week is available via LEAP and the Lansing Regional SmartZone. More information about Burgess New Venture Challenge and the 2025 semifinalist teams are available via the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.