The University of Vermont is excited to announce the finalists for the second annual Vermont Pitch Challenge, an entrepreneurial-focused competition that provides high school students worldwide with an opportunity to win cash prizes and a full tuition scholarship to UVM by pitching innovative business plans designed to create a positive impact.
“The Vermont Pitch Challenge showcases the incredible talent, innovation, and passion of young entrepreneurs from around the world,” said Jay Jacobs, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at UVM. “These students are tackling real-world challenges with creative, forward-thinking solutions, and we are honored to support their journey. We look forward to welcoming them to campus next month and seeing their ideas in action and the impact they’ll create in the years to come.”
“I am incredibly grateful and honored to become a finalist, as it proves that ideas have power,” said Jamie Cheng, a 2025 Vermont Pitch Challenge Finalist and sophomore at Green Level High School in Cary, North Carolina. “But it’s the courage and passion to pursue them that truly creates an impact.”
Students submitted their business plans online between October 15, 2024 and February 15, 2025 and the business plans were then evaluated by members of the UVM Entrepreneurship Club. The no-entry-fee challenge invited students from across the globe to participate in teams of one to three, submitting business plans that tackled pressing issues and provided meaningful solutions. More than 140 teams from 15 countries and 28 states entered their ideas for consideration.
The finalists for this year’s Vermont Pitch Challenge are:
MIND (Maximizing Inclusion for Neurodivergent Development)
Student Names: Eleanor O’Brien, Penelope O’Brien, Hardy Payson
Hometowns: Lyme, New Hampshire; Thetford Center, Vermont
Overview: MIND is a social enterprise dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals transitioning from high school to college or the workforce. By offering summer programs, certification tools, workshops, and mentorship programs, MIND aims to bridge the support gap that often disappears after K-12 education. With a tiered revenue model, MIND sustains itself through paid certifications, training, and consulting services while providing free resources to institutions, ensuring neurodivergent individuals thrive in education and employment.
OceanAble
Student Name: Claire Teany
Hometown: Medfield, Massachusetts
Overview: OceanAble is revolutionizing adaptive products in the surfing industry by designing a surfboard that allows individuals with disabilities to surf independently. Unlike existing volunteer-led adaptive surf programs, OceanAble creates equipment that enables ongoing participation. The company also incorporates sustainability by using reclaimed ocean plastics in its manufacturing process, addressing both accessibility and environmental concerns.
RespiraGel
Student Name: Jamie Cheng
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
Overview: RespiraGel is an innovative and affordable hydrogel-based powder designed to protect against allergens and pollutants. With FDA-approved ingredients, RespiraGel is progressing toward clinical trials and prototype development. Targeting individuals with respiratory conditions, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies, the company aims to tap into the $14 billion allergy treatment market while also donating products to underserved regions to improve global respiratory health.
Boxer Breeze
Student Name: Matthew McPherson
Hometown: Flemington, New Jersey
Overview: Boxer Breeze is an eco-friendly, odor-resistant underwear brand that tackles textile waste through sustainable materials. Made from a bamboo fiber blend and organic cotton, Boxer Breeze offers moisture-wicking and durable underwear with a closed-loop recycling system. Customers can return used pairs for responsible recycling in exchange for discounts on future purchases. With a direct-to-consumer model, Boxer Breeze aims to disrupt the sustainable fashion market.
Yard 2 Yum
Student Name: Reya Kannan
Hometown: Tyngsborough, Massachusetts
Overview: Yard 2 Yum is a nonprofit organization that partners with restaurants to reduce food waste through a reward-based system. Restaurants earn “produce points” for diverting waste from landfills, which can be redeemed for discounts on locally sourced produce. The initiative benefits both restaurants and farms while reducing environmental impact. With plans to expand beyond Massachusetts, Yard 2 Yum offers a scalable solution to food waste management.
“The creativity and dedication these students have shown in their business plans are nothing short of inspiring,” said Logan Vaughan, the lead student judge for the Vermont Pitch Challenge and a member of the UVM Entrepreneurship Club. “Each finalist has not only identified a real-world problem, but has also developed an innovative and sustainable solution. I can’t wait to see them bring their ideas to life on pitch day.”
The five finalist teams will now compete in person at UVM on April 3, 2025, where they will be ranked from first to fifth place. The first-place team members will each receive a full tuition scholarship to the University of Vermont (contingent upon admission). The second and third place teams will each receive a $5,000 check to be split among team members. The fourth and fifth place teams will receive a $1,000 check.
