The University of Vermont has named Aarav Upadhyay and Ayden Pinto, high school entrepreneurs from Asbury Park and Englishtown, New Jersey, the winners of the 2026 Vermont Pitch Challenge, a Shark Tank-like competition for teens. Upadhyay and Pinto were awarded the competition’s top prize – a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Vermont – for their business venture, Yevla, after presenting their innovative plan to a panel of judges at UVM.
Yevla offers affordable, modular search‑and‑rescue drone kits that provide thermal imaging and two‑way communication—delivering professional‑grade capabilities at under half the cost of traditional enterprise systems. Life-threatening delays are some of the most common complications search and rescue teams face. With their kit-based system, Upadhyay and Pinto hope to achieve lower production costs, reduced waste, customization options and lower purchase prices for search and rescue teams.
“[This] validates every hour I poured into building Yevla from the ground up,” said Upadhyay, a high school senior.
“It’s meaningful to see that the idea we’ve been building is something others believe in,” added Pinto, also a senior.
The Vermont Pitch Challenge is a unique competition that empowers high school students from around the world to pitch their most innovative business ideas for the chance to win scholarships and cash prizes by presenting their ventures in a live pitch event at UVM. The competition aims to support young entrepreneurs who are focused on solving real-world challenges through creative, impactful solutions.
“The Vermont Pitch Challenge is such a great opportunity for students to not only showcase their innovative ideas but also to receive feedback from peers who share the same passion for innovation,” said Logan Vaughan, the lead student judge and member of the UVM Entrepreneurship Club. “It's been inspiring to see the passion and creativity this year’s finalists bring to the table, and I can't wait to watch them turn their ideas into reality.”
This year’s competition saw more than 100 teams from 24 U.S. states submit business ideas. After extensive evaluation, five finalist teams were invited to present their pitches in person at UVM on April 7th.
The winners of the 2026 Vermont Pitch Challenge are:
1st Place – Yevla
Aarav Upadhyay and Ayden Pinto, (Asbury Park and Englishtown, NJ) – Full tuition scholarship to UVM
An affordable, modular search‑and‑rescue drone kit that provides thermal imaging and two‑way communication—delivering professional‑grade capabilities at under half the cost of traditional enterprise systems.
2nd Place – ReTech for Kids
Chris Qian (Midlothian, VA)– $5,000 prize
A non‑profit that refurbishes and donates laptops and other devices to K‑12 students to close the digital divide and cut e‑waste.
3rd Place – Navis AI
Roy He and Kevin Xia (Cabin John and Bethesda, MD)– $5,000 prize
an AI-powered cane that uses an onboard camera and real-time computer vision to detect obstacles before users reach them.
4th Place – Crux Threads
Eli Lipsius (Denver, CO)– $1,000 prize
Climbing apparel that blends function and style—baggy, recycled‑nylon pants designed for climbers.
5th Place – Elegant Grace Apparel
Naba’a Hussein (South Burlington, VT)– $1,000 prize
A modest fashion boutique serving Vermont’s Muslim community with stylish, sustainable apparel and a welcoming in‑person and online shopping experience rooted in inclusion and community.
The Vermont Pitch Challenge provides high school students with a unique opportunity to make their college applications stand out by showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit. Participants build valuable skills that today’s employers seek, including problem-solving, innovation, and communication. The competition offers a chance to receive insightful feedback on business ideas from experienced judges and entrepreneurial experts, helping students refine and strengthen their ventures. By participating, students also challenge themselves to make a lasting impact on their community and beyond.
Looking ahead, the 2027 Vermont Pitch Challenge will open for submissions in October 2026, with the final pitch event scheduled for April 2027. For more information about the Vermont Pitch Challenge and how to participate, visit uvm.edu/admissions/vermont-pitch-challenge.
