By Jana Hassan, student writer
Michigan State University students Madhav Aggarwal (‘25) and Tanvi Gadamsetti (‘25), co-founders of BRCĒ, have been named as undergraduate finalists in the 2025 Collegiate Inventors Competition® (CIC), hosted by the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Now in its 35th year, the Collegiate Inventors Competition recognizes and celebrates the nation’s most promising student innovators. The competition highlights breakthrough ideas in fields including medicine, sustainability, engineering, and technology—providing finalists with national visibility and opportunities for mentorship, networking, and support.
BRCĒ, a materials technology startup launched at MSU, has developed patented polymer-composite materials that deliver exceptional tensile strength, flexibility, and fire resistance. Its flagship product, “Shoelaces That NEVER QUIT,” features a proprietary interlocking fiber design engineered to provide secure, sport-specific performance..
As finalists, Aggarwal and Gadamsetti are also eligible for the People’s Choice Award, which includes a $2,000 prize and a Patent Acceleration Certificate to help expedite the patent review process. Winners will be announced October 16, 2025.
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.