Grand prize (full tuition scholarship to UVM)
Yevla
Aarav Upadhyay and Ayden Pinto | Asbury Park and Englishtown, NJ
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. While over 500 search and rescue teams in the United States alone use drones, most cannot afford the professional systems that would benefit these types of search and rescue missions. Yevla is an affordable, modular search and rescue drone kit equipped with thermal and low light cameras, long range GPS and radio connectivity, powerful motors, and an Nvidia Jetson Nano for onboard processing. Yevla includes two-way audio so victims can communicate in real time. The kit-based design allows for lower production costs, reduced waste, customization options and lower purchase prices compared to professional drone systems.
$5,000 prize
ReTech for Kids
Chris Qian | Midlothian, VA
A non‑profit that refurbishes and donates laptops and other devices to K‑12 students to close the digital divide and cut e‑waste.
ReTech for Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to making technology accessible for students in grades K-12. Since its launch in 2013, ReTech has collected and donated 1,100 devices (estimated value of $103,000) across 2 countries, 7 states and 13 cities. ReTech aims to address technology access issues for students while reducing the amount of electronic waste across the globe. ReTech uses fundraisers, grants and donations to maintain low operational costs and uses a chapter-based model and partnerships with corporations and school districts to distribute technology to students.
$5,000 prize
Navis AI
Roy He and Kevin Xia | Cabin John and Bethesda, MD
An AI‑powered cane for the blind and visually impaired that detects obstacles and guides users safely—affordable and fully on‑device.
NAVIS AI is an AI-powered cane that uses an onboard camera and real-time computer vision to detect obstacles before users reach them. The system employs real-time image segmentation and YOLO-based detection to identify cars and other hazards, then processes estimated depth imagery to steer users around these obstacles. Multiple modes support hallway navigation, GPS routing, and sidewalk tracking. NAVIS AI is designed to be affordable, fully on-device, and cloud independent. The NAVIS AI team has filed a provisional patent for their core AI and is currently working to expand their business and continue testing and manufacturing equipment.
$1,000 prize
CruxThreads
Eli Lipsius | Denver, CO
Climbing apparel that blends function and style—baggy, recycled‑nylon pants designed for climbers.
Crux Threads is a climbing‑focused apparel company founded to address common problems with traditional climbing pants, such as restrictive fits, bulky belts, items falling out of pockets, and fabric catching on the heel during climbs. The company’s signature product is a pair of lightweight, breathable, baggy climbing pants made from recycled nylon, and climbing specific-design features. These pants aim to blend functionality with the style preferred by many younger climbers while remaining durable and environmentally responsible. The goal of Crux Threads is to expand to other apparel items and outdoor gear, and make climbing apparel fashionable and functional.
$1,000 prize
Elegant Grace Apparel
Naba’a Hussein | South Burlington, VT
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.
Elegant Grace Apparel is a modest clothing business created to serve Vermont’s growing Muslim community by offering accessible, stylish options such as hijabs, abayas, and everyday modest wear. The store aims to provide an in‑person, community‑centered shopping experience that online retailers cannot, while also fostering inclusion through cultural events and workshops. Elegant Grace Apparel also offers clothing recycling programs and has a commitment to eco-friendly materials where possible. Elegant Grace Apparel plans to begin online sales with the hopes of offering in-person shopping experiences as well.
2025 Winners
Grand prize (full scholarship to UVM)
Name: Matthew McPherson
Hometown: Flemington, New Jersey
High school graduation year: 2025
Business pitch: 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.
$5,000 Prize
Name: Claire Teany
Hometown: Medfield, Massachusetts
High school graduation year: 2025
Business pitch: 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.
$5,000 Prize
Names: Eleanor O’Brien, Penelope O’Brien, Hardy Payson
Hometown: Lyme, New Hampshire and Thetford Center, Vermont
High school graduation year: 2025 and 2026
Business pitch: 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.
$1,000 Prize
Name: Jamie Cheng
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
High school graduation year: 2027
Business pitch: 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.
$1,000 Prize
Name: Reya Kannan
Hometown: Tyngsborough, Massachusetts
High school graduation year: 2027
Business pitch: 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.
2024 Winners
Grand prize (full scholarship to UVM)
Name: Pippa Scott
Hometown: Killington, Vermont
High school graduation year: 2025
Business pitch: Ride for Mental Health is a nonprofit that raises awareness about and provides support to kids and teens struggling with mental health in the action sports community.
$5,000 Prize
Name: Danny Philip
Hometown: Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
High school graduation year: 2025
Business pitch: Agri-Equip aims to catalyze agricultural development in the vibrant landscapes of the US Virgin Islands by empowering farmers with the equipment and supplies they need.
$5,000 Prize
Names: Pierson and Parker Jones
Hometown: Lutz, Florida
High school graduation year: 2025
Business pitch: DiscGuard is a medical device that increases mobility and improves patient outcomes by preventing re-injury after spinal surgery.
$1,000 Prize
Name: Sebastian Tan
Hometown: Sewickly, Pennsylvania
High school graduation year: 2025
Business pitch: OutsideConnection helps formerly incarcerated individuals or those with criminal records find employment success by partnering with Fortune 500 companies and reentry organizations.
$1,000 Prize
Name: Eliza Strum
Hometown: Ticonderoga, New York
High school graduation year: 2024
Business pitch: EcoCharge is a wearable charging solution for mobile devices that utilizes the kinetic energy of the wearer.