About the UVM Business Pitch Competition
University of Vermont (UVM) students who have innovative and impactful plans to start and grow either a business or a mission-driven organization are invited to apply. The presentation and pitch must demonstrate a viable business solution and plan that addresses an existing consumer need, or can create one, identifies a target market, and outlines the operational and management plan for success. The winning business teams walk away with cash prizes.
2025 Business Pitch Competition Results
- Grand Prize ($1,500): Lock Down Goaltending, LLC | Ellie Simmons
- Best Pitch ($750) sponsored by Moulton Law Group: Lock Down Goaltending, LLC | Ellie Simmons
- Most Launch-Ready ($750) sponsored by Campus Storage Solutions: Auto-Focus | Reuben Stief
- Most Sustainable ($750): Three Rivers Adventures, LLC | Ella Sudduth, Shealagh (Shea) Brown
- Most Innovative Technology ($750): Grunch | Thomas Hull
- Peoples’ Choice Award ($750) sponsored by UVM's Entrepreneurship club: Three Rivers Adventures, LLC | Ella Sudduth, Shealagh (Shea) Brown
The 2025 competition judges featured:
- Lauren Bass SI-MBA '20, Executive Director of LaunchVT
- Matt Buder Shapiro ’12, Chief Marketing Officer of Vytalize Health and Angel Investor
- Nicole Eaton ‘23, Marketing & Communications Manager at Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies
- Sarah Kearns, Business Advisor of Strategic Projects at Vermont Small Business Development Center
- Jesse Stein, Technology Licensing Officer for UVM Innovations
- Hannah Wood ’95, Founder & Executive Director of Talent Skatepark
- Jeff Bennett, Founder and CEO of Caspian Capital Solutions LLC
The success of the competition was made possible through the support of various sponsors and partners, including:
- Alumni sponsors: David Aronoff ’86, Jodi Goldstein '89, and Richard Bass ‘66
- Grossman School of Business
- Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources / Parks, Recreation, & Tourism Program
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences / Community Development & Applied Economics Department
- College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences/Mechanical Engineering Department
- College of Arts & Sciences / School of the Arts
- UVM Office of the Vice President of Research
- UVM Entrepreneurship Club
A special thanks to local community sponsors, including Moulton Law Group, Gallagher, Flynn & Company, Fuse Marketing, Campus Storage Solutions, and Leonardo's Pizza. These sponsors played a crucial role in supporting the entrepreneurial community within Burlington and across Vermont, providing invaluable support to aspiring student entrepreneurs.