Eleven student teams from across the University of Nevada, Reno came together to turn their ideas into potential startups at the annual LaunchNevada Pitch Competition on Nov. 14. The event highlights the growing spirit of entrepreneurship at the University and the hands-on support students receive from the Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship and the College of Business. 

LaunchNevada provides a training ground where student entrepreneurs refine their business models, receive expert feedback and gain confidence pitching to a live audience. 

For many teams, it also serves as the first step on the path to the Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition. Established in 2011, the competition awards a $50,000 grand prize each spring to the student venture with the strongest potential for real-world impact. 

“As a judge, I was truly impressed by the quality of the pitches,” said Thomas Burnham, associate professor of marketing and Mick Hitchcock Endowed Professor in Entrepreneurship. “It’s so energizing to see students from across disciplines step up, take a risk, share a nascent business idea, and ask for feedback. That willingness to put ideas out into the world is at the heart of entrepreneurship, and it was on full display this year.”   

That sentiment was echoed by LaunchNevada founder and Charles and Ruth Hopping Professor of Entrepreneurship Armina Karapetian, who highlighted the broader impact of the competition. 

“Each year, LaunchNevada showcases the incredible creativity, resilience and ambition of our student entrepreneurs,” said Karapetian. “These teams are not only building innovative ventures, they are building the future of Nevada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are proud to provide a platform where ideas can take shape, gain momentum and ultimately turn into real-world impact.” 

After evaluating a strong lineup of student pitches, judges announced the winners of this year’s competition.

First Place – $1,500 

Twisted Cocktail Club, founded by Jordan Raulston, took home the top prize with a subscription service that delivers all the ingredients needed to craft professional cocktails at home.  

Raulston said that her next steps include finalizing her business structure, securing licensing, and completing rebranding for the company. “I’m refining packaging, testing shelf life, and setting up production in a certified commercial kitchen,” Raulston said.

She also plans to enter the Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition in the spring. 

Second Place – $1,000 

The second-place award went to Alli Williams, founder of Hello Social Cue, a marketing agency she has been developing and growing over several years. Williams looks forward to expanding her skillset and ultimately establishing a presence in New York. 

Third Place – $500 + Audience Choice – $500 

Soleil Band earned both the third-place prize and the Audience Choice Award, founded by Aleena Kureekattil and her team. The team presented wearable technology designed to monitor UV exposure and help reduce the risk of skin cancer.

“The next step for our startup is to finish prototype 1,” Kureekattil said. “This will allow us to accurately collect UV radiation data from our sensor and transmit it to the Soleil App. From there, our goal is to run user tests, gather feedback and see how the Soleil Band performs outside the lab.” 

Socially Responsible Venture Award – $500

The final prize recognized Dehy Crop, founded by Francis Boampong, for its commitment to sustainability and social impact. The venture aims to reduce food waste by using solar-powered dehydration systems.  

“The $500 prize will help in securing the funding needed to build and launch our first solar-powered crop dehydrator,” Boampong said. “While the full system is still in development, we have a clear vision and a strong multidisciplinary team ready to execute once we obtain the necessary resources.”