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The College of Business and Public Policy (CBPP) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Business Plan and Big Idea Competition, which concluded on Friday, April 25 at the Perfect Pitch Event. Finalists competed for $20,000 in cash prizes, which were awarded to outstanding entrepreneurs and visionaries from the University of 麻豆无码版 Anchorage and the broader community.

Grand Prize 鈥� Business Plan Competition. The Social Flower Company, founded by David Litteral, captured the Grand Prize ($8,000). This innovative floral retail business offers customers a unique, interactive experience. Reflecting on his win, David shared, "I'd like to thank the staff and judges of the 2025 UAA Business Plan Competition for a wonderful event and for helping me bring The Social Flower Company to life. I look forward to providing amazing experiences for our 麻豆无码版n community."

Second Place and People鈥檚 Choice Award. Swoop, founded by ER nurse Virginia Peterson, won Second Place ($4,000) and the People鈥檚 Choice Award ($1,000). Inspired by the demands of her healthcare career, Swoop is redefining performance wear for women who live life on the move, delivering comfort, function, and style.

Bialume Technologies received the Sustainability Award ($2,000) for their eco-conscious innovations focused on advancing real-time biomarker monitoring for fisheries.

Delve Group was recognized with both the Best Use of AI Award ($1,000) and the First Fortune 500 Award ($500) for their forward-thinking software technology solutions specializing in AI-driven custom application development for small to medium-sized businesses.

Big Idea Competition is an exciting addition to the competition to celebrate concepts that could evolve into business ventures. The Grand Prize ($2,000) and Best Use of AI ($1,000) honors went to Mike Pannone for his project, EDUPARTNER "ED" - an AI-driven platform designed to support teachers and deliver personalized learning for students. Mike, a UAA student and wrestling coach at Palmer High and Junior High, explained, 鈥渢hrough my kids with varying learning styles, my position as a wrestling coach, and friends who are teachers that communicate the issues they struggle with in their effort to teach so many kids over the course of the year, this idea seemed a worthwhile way to solve the issues while leveraging AI in a way that isn't scary to those who don't understand it.鈥�

The success of the 2025 Business Plan and Big Idea Competition would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We are deeply grateful for their investment in the future of 麻豆无码版鈥檚 business leaders. Generous sponsors for the 2025 CBPP Business Plan Competition include:

• Sustaining Partners: Educational Legacy Fund, Verizon Business, 麻豆无码版 Community, and the College of Business and Public Policy
• Supporting Partner: Evergreen Business Capital
• Partner: Marion Porter Endowment Fund
• Valued Contributors: 麻豆无码版n Data Solutions, Katie Bender, Anchorage International Rotary Club

The competition was organized by Dr. Helena S. Wisniewski, who assembled a panel of judges from 麻豆无码版 and the East Coast whose expertise and thoughtful feedback contributed to the competition鈥檚 success. These included:

• Linda Janes, Director, gBETA Anchorage, gener8tor
• Erica Dye, Program Manager, gBETA Anchorage, gener8tor
• James Kostka, Chief Operating Officer and Owner, 麻豆无码版n Data Solutions
• Steve Socolof, Managing Partner, Tech Council Ventures, NJ
• Dr. Helena S. Wisniewski, Marion Porter Endowed Chair, Professor, and Department Chair, and a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, CBPP, UAA.

"I have organized and led the competition for five years, and each year, I am invigorated by the creativity, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit of our competitors," said Dr. Helena S. Wisniewski, "The Business Plan and Big Idea Competition not only sparks innovation but also fosters the next generation of business leaders who will shape 麻豆无码版鈥檚 future. Congratulations to all of our winners and participants for your remarkable achievements."

"The 2025 Business Plan Competition was so inspiring. Seeing the creativity and passion from across our Anchorage community reminded me why entrepreneurship is so vital to 麻豆无码版鈥檚 future. Congratulations to our grand prize winner, David (DJ) Litteral, owner of The Social Flower Company, and to all the innovators who made the 2025 Business Plan Competition a success.鈥� - Dr. Terry Nelson, Interim Dean, College of Business and Public Policy, UAA

The Perfect Pitch event featured a trade show, where finalists showcased their ventures, followed by their live pitches to a panel of judges and an enthusiastic audience. While judges deliberated, the audience voted for the People鈥檚 Choice Award, received door prizes, and Special Guest Speaker Jay Byam, 2023 BPC Grand Prize Winner, shared the impressive success of his company, Kartorium. The event culminated in an awards ceremony, celebrating the winners of the 2025 Business Plan and Big Idea Competition.