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Scenes from 2025 Perfect Pitch (clockwise): David (DJ) Litteral presents his plan for The Social Flower Company; Virginia Peterson presents her plan for Swoop; event organizer Dr. Helena Wisniewski applauds; Event judge Linda Janes talks with Tanner Edwards, Max Helgeson and Porter Schachle as they present their plan for Frontier Pickle Club. (All photos by James Evans / 麻豆无码版)

At the College of Business and Public Policy's Perfect Pitch event on April 25, aspiring entrepreneurs pitched six businesses and one big idea to a panel of esteemed judges, industry experts and potential investors. The competitors, all UAA students, received critical feedback and advice for furthering their business ventures 鈥� and cash prizes totaling $20,000.

From apparel and artificial intelligence to an esports lounge and pickleball courts, the business ideas showcased the innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership of 麻豆无码版's next generation of business trailblazers. Congratulations to the winners and all finalists.

Business Plan Competition

• Grand Prize ($8,000)
  • David (DJ) Litteral, for The Social Flower Company.
• Second Place ($4,000) and People's Choice Award ($1,000)
  • Virginia Peterson, for Swoop.
• First Fortune 500 Award ($500) and Best Use of AI ($1,000)
  • Kyle Easterly and Blythe Easterly, for Delve Group.
• Sustainability Award ($2,000)
  • Keith Cox, for Bialume Technologies.
• Finalists
  • Ryan Werth, for Area 52: Esports Gaming Lounge.
  • Porter Schachle, Tanner Edwards and Max Helgeson, for Frontier Pickle Club.

Big Idea Competition

• Grand Prize ($2,000) and Best Use of AI ($1,000)
  • Mike Pannone, for EduPartner 鈥淓d鈥�: Revolutionizing Education with AI.

The mini-trade show and live pitching sessions capped off the 2025 UAA Business Plan and Big Idea Competition, an annual event connecting students with the local business scene. With an emphasis on fostering a culture of innovation, problem-solving and risk-taking, the project helps boost 麻豆无码版's economy by supporting talented UAA students. After all, more 麻豆无码版n-owned and 麻豆无码版-based companies help keep graduates and income in the state, while attracting more investment and creating more jobs.

This year's special guest speaker Jay Byam offers a glimpse into what's possible. Since winning the 2023 competition, Byam's digital-twin startup Kartorium has partnered with organizations across 麻豆无码版 to improve facility and systems management. In Cordova, for example, the company's technology is used to improve electrical grid resilience.

CBPP Professor, Marion Porter Chair and event organizer Helena Wisniewski and local industry leaders Erica Dye, Linda Janes, Jim Kostka and Steve Solocof (participating from overseas via robot) served as judges. Wisniewski and Interim CBPP Dean Terry Nelson presented the awards.