{"id":164995,"date":"2026-04-14T11:46:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T15:46:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/?p=164995"},"modified":"2026-04-14T11:48:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T15:48:14","slug":"wright-state-students-will-compete-for-startup-funds-in-annual-wright-venture-entrepreneurial-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2026\/04\/14\/wright-state-students-will-compete-for-startup-funds-in-annual-wright-venture-entrepreneurial-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Wright State students will compete for startup funds in annual Wright Venture entrepreneurial competition\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_165029\" style=\"width: 470px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2026\/04\/14\/wright-state-students-will-compete-for-startup-funds-in-annual-wright-venture-entrepreneurial-competition\/73999-bob-mihalek-wright-venture-4-3-25-3\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-165029\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-165029\" class=\"size-large wp-image-165029\" src=\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2026\/04\/Tharun-Sai-Nandigam-2025-Wright-Venture-winner-73999_008-508x339.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"307\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-165029\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Five Wright State students will pitch original business ideas to a panel of business executives and compete for $5,000 in startup funding during Wright Venture on April 15.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Five Wright State University students will pitch original business ideas to a panel of experts \u2014 and compete for $5,000 in startup funding \u2014 during <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wright.edu\/event\/wright-venture\">Wright Venture<\/a>, the annual entrepreneurial competition hosted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/business.wright.edu\/\">Raj Soin College of Business<\/a>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:180}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The event takes place on Wednesday, April 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Rike Hall Lobby.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Modeled after the reality television program \u201cShark Tank,\u201d Wright Venture places students in front of a panel of experienced executives, called the Wolves, who evaluate each idea and provide feedback. This year\u2019s judges are Lesley Ott, chief operating officer at James Investment Research; Jonah Sandler, founder and president of Escena Investments and Beth Savage, former owner and CEO of PQ Systems.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The five finalists were selected from 27 applications \u2014 more than double last year\u2019s pool. Their projects are:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:180}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">AccioFirst, an AI career platform that helps job seekers\u00a0identify\u00a0legitimate employment opportunities. Presented by computer science alum\u00a0Gokulnaath\u00a0Govindaraj.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:180,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Blockhelp, a neighborhood-based digital marketplace that connects trusted teens with homeowners for services such as tutoring, yard\u00a0work\u00a0and childcare. Presented by finance major Lilly Willmann.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:180,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">FieldHive, a civic communication platform through which municipalities and public agencies can share emergency alerts, public safety\u00a0updates\u00a0and information. Presented by business major Jason Atkins.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:180,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Local Vibes, a QR-based local guide that helps students find trending spots, real-time\u00a0deals\u00a0and friends near campus. Presented by marketing analytics and insights\u00a0grad\u00a0student\u00a0Aeshani\u00a0Kumar.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:180,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pulse, an AI-driven marketing agency that produces social media and lead-generation content for small businesses. Presented by marketing analytics and insights\u00a0grad\u00a0student Anupom\u00a0Saikot.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:180,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Qualifying for\u00a0the finals required more than\u00a0a good idea. Students honed their plans through workshops on business planning, finance, marketing,\u00a0operations\u00a0and effective pitches,\u00a0helping them develop\u00a0essential elements that entrepreneurs and investors look for in a business plan.\u00a0Several sessions were hosted by the Entrepreneur Center, the Miami Valley Small Business Development\u00a0Center\u00a0and Winsupply. Wright State\u2019s Sandler Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and its Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Jason Trimbach, also provided support and mentorship.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:180}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThe Wright Venture Competition immerses students in hands-on learning as they develop and present business ideas in a competitive environment,\u201d said Dawn Conway, J.D., interim dean of the Raj Soin College of Business. \u201cAlong the way, they sharpen their pitching skills and gain practical insight into building a business plan.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:180}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Past Wright Venture winners have gone on to build successful businesses, among them\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kytchenpulse.com\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">KytchenPulse<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, an AI management platform for restaurants;\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteroofingdayton.com\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Absolute Roofing Dayton<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">;\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tumblego.com\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Tumble<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, an\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">service<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">; and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wrinklefrinkle.square.site\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">WrinkleFrinkle<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a handmade d\u00e9cor and art workshop business.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:180}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWright Venture is more than just a signature event for us,\u201d Conway said. \u201cIt shows that Wright State and the Dayton region are places where ideas turn into innovation and impact.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:180}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">More information is available at\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wright.edu\/event\/wright-venture\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">wright.edu\/wrightventure<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:180}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Five Wright State students will pitch original business ideas to a panel of experts during Wright Venture, the annual entrepreneurial competition hosted by the Raj Soin College of Business.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2026\/04\/14\/wright-state-students-will-compete-for-startup-funds-in-annual-wright-venture-entrepreneurial-competition\/\" class=\"morelink\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":165029,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[722,729,748,4906,725,2050,715,4908],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-164995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academics","category-around-campus","category-business","category-finance-accountancy-management-information-systems-and-economics","category-home-news-sidebar","category-mba","category-news","category-supply-chain-management-marketing-and-management"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=164995"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164995\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":165039,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164995\/revisions\/165039"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/165029"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=164995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=164995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=164995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}