From technology and sustainability to food innovation and social impact, Michigan State University students are turning ideas into action. Fifteen student-led startups have now earned a spot as semifinalists in the 2026 Burgess New Venture Challenge (BNVC), MSU’s premier pitch competition for emerging founders.
Selected from a competitive pool of undergraduate and graduate teams across campus these semifinalist represent the next wave of Spartan founders, students who are actively building ventures, testing ideas in real markets, and applying classroom learning to real-world challenges.
Hosted by the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, BNVC is designed to move students beyond the classroom and into the work of entrepreneurship itself. Through mentorship, venture development resources, and connections across Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, teams gain the tools and the pressure needed to push their ventures forward.
“The semifinalist teams represent students who are devoting significant time and effort beyond the classroom to actively build and grow a startup. They use the skills they learn to continue their start-ups beyond graduation, or in securing jobs with innovative companies where the entrepreneurial skills they have demonstrated are not only valued, but celebrated,” Laurel Ofstein, senior director of the Burgess Institute.
The 2026's semifinalists will pitch their ideas on Thursday, April 9 at the Marriott East Lansing at University Place during a private session before the student showcase opens to the public at 4 PM. With only five finalist slots available, student venturers must convince a panel of expert judges they have what it takes to compete for the $50,000 in total scholarship prizes.
"Making it to the semifinalist stage reflects how these students are actively learning entrepreneurship by doing it. They’re building, testing assumptions, and responding to real feedback — not just pitching ideas. That hands-on process is what prepares them to launch ventures that can actually move forward, said Paul Jaques, managing director, venture creation of the Burgess Institute.
Students, faculty, and community members are invited to attend the showcase and vote for the People’s Choice Award, recognizing the team that resonates most with the audience. To register to attend, visit https://bit.ly/2026-burgessnvc.
The BNVC has become a proving ground for experiential learning at MSU, where students apply what they learn in engineering labs, business classrooms, research studios, and creative programs to real-world problems. For many, the competition is not the end goal, but the launch point for ventures that continue well beyond graduation.
Meet the Semifinalists:
Coldbridge
Jinu Kang, College of Social Science
The World's First Anti-Energy Drink.
DryX
Kaniz Fatema Promee, College of Engineering
DryX provides a compact, energy-efficient dish-drying system for small-to-mid-scale commercial kitchens, cutting drying time from hours to minutes while reducing labor, space, and energy waste.
Ekos
Kyli Corder, College of Communication Arts & Sciences
Ekos is a smart mirror-powered salon operating system that turns every appointment into data, automates operations, and helps independent stylists and salons grow revenue through AI-driven insights.
Guideily
Rahul Aviraj Pataskar, College of Engineering
Guideily is an AI powered all in one career readiness suite that helps institutions deliver personalised pathways, measurable skill development and actionable guidance that support every learner from career exploration to employability.
J. Margaret
Jillian Whitley, Eli Broad College of Business
A gold-filled jewelry brand offering modern takes on classic pieces that evoke the emotional significance of receiving a cherished heirloom.
LZR
Kaleah-Alezir Valera, College of Communication Arts & Sciences
LZR is a functional beverage that combines natural ingredients, high quality protein, caffeine, and B vitamins, providing sustained energy and metabolic support to eliminate the need for multiple beverages.
Memory Sketch
Angela Leach, Eli Broad College of Business, Jackson Simkins, Eli Broad College of Business, Griffin Reis (B.A. ‘25) Caraline Kitchen (B.A. ’25)
We are revolutionizing how we track the progression of Alzheimer's Disease through patient drawings.
MindMosaic
Dan Sagher, College of Natural Science
MindMosaic is a visual workspace that helps users think, plan, and create by organizing multimodal projects around their core concepts.
Nanners
Evan Hackstock, Eli Broad College of Business
Protein Banana Bread Bites
ParPack
Kaylie Livingston, College of Communications Arts & Sciences
ParPack is a practical golf accessory that clips onto your golf bag to hold everything from essentials, extra layers, and snacks, then easily unclips to be worn as a backpack into the clubhouse or to your car after your round.
Q2 Systems
Nthanda Manduwi, Eli Broad College of Business, Alvaro Anaenugwu, College of Engineering
Q2 Systems builds cyber-physical infrastructure for emerging markets by integrating real world systems, digital twins, and simulation engines into a single adaptive ecosystem.
Sapt
Benjamin Meyer, College of Engineering, Uzair Mohammed, College of Engineering
Sapt builds custom AI-powered business operating systems that automate marketing, SEO, and content management for SMBs.
Single Scoop Vending
David Lalaj, Eli Broad College of Business, David Heyn, Eli Broad College of Business
Single Scoop is a smart vending machine for gyms that delivers perfectly mixed, single-serve pre-workout and protein powder from trusted brands, giving members convenience, variety, and confidence in what they consume.
Tavini Labs
Shreshta Sinha, Lyman Briggs College, Sharvayu Chavan, College of Engineering
Brain Monitoring and Device Control Technology
Voltz
Abram Gingrass, Eli Broad College of Business
Electrolyte and multivitamin oral lip pouches, hydration like never seen before.
BNVC continues to be a launchpad for students ready to build what’s next, not someday, but now. As semifinalists prepare to pitch, they are not just competing for prize money, they are stepping into their roles as founders, problem-solvers, and future industry leaders.
About the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation: The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is the destination where students launch high-impact, entrepreneurial journeys at Michigan State University. The Burgess Institute empowers students to learn through action by providing global mentors, courses, seed funding, entrepreneurship competitions, student organizations, resources, and campus-wide co-working spaces.