The annual UVM Business Pitch Competition challenges undergraduate students from any degree program to present their business ideas and concepts to a panel of judges. At the 2023 event yesterday, on the heels of the newly announced Joy and Jerry Meyers Cup business launch competition, UVM students shared their innovative plans to start and grow either a business or a mission-driven organization in a seven-minute pitch followed by a three-minute expert Q&A.  

Their presentations and pitches demonstrated a viable business solution and plan that addresses either a new or existing consumer need, identifies a target market, and outlines the operational and management plan for success. Additionally, the presentations highlighted the unique value created, and included an industry and competitor analysis, key customers and stakeholders, operational model, financial plan, and impact potential. 

This year’s winning business teams walked away with cash prizes, including: 

  • $600 for Best Pitch (verbal and visual): Kiley Latham / Real Love Records 
  • $600 for Most Launch Ready (working prototypes, preliminary sales): Aidan Connolly / Axis ADU 
  • $600 for Most Sustainable (environmental and/or social): Caitlin Boyarsky and Chloe Elias / Second Lap, LLC 
  • $600 for Most Innovative Technology (software and/or hardware): Noah Schwartz / Layoff Lookout 
  • $600 for Peoples’ Choice Award: Tomek Botwicz / Governed 
  • $1,200 Grand Prize: Noah Schwartz / Layoff Lookout 
Dr. Erik Monsen poses with the UVM Business Pitch Competition competitors and judges.
Dr. Erik Monsen takes a selfie with the competitors and judges.

Dr. Erik Monsen, Associate Professor and Grossman Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship, who coordinated the competition, noted that he is “always impressed by the creativity, innovativeness, and professionalism of our undergraduate students.” In particular, he noted that “it is amazing how our students both want to change the world for the better and are unwilling to wait until graduation to do so.” 

Judging this year's presentations were: 

  • Lauren Bass SI-MBA '20, Executive Director of LaunchVT 
  • Scott Graves, Director of StartUp Rutland and The Hub CoWorks 
  • Sarah Kearns, Business Advisor of Strategic Projects at Vermont Small Business Development Center 
  • Justine Mulliez ‘11, Founder and Co-Active Coach at Just a Wild Thought 
  • Bob Phillips, Grossman School of Business Executive in Residence & Retired Unilever Director 
  • Samantha Roach-Gerber, Vice President at Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies 

A special thanks to the various schools at UVM, alumni sponsors (David Aronoff ’86 and Richard Bass ’66), as well as our corporate sponsors (Moulton Law Group, Gallagher Flynn & Company, Fuse, and Pizzeria Verità) who play an important role in supporting start-ups and the entrepreneurial ecosystem here in Burlington and across Vermont. 

Congratulations to all the 2023 UVM Business Pitch Competition winners!