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Entrepreneurs from a learning app, a snack food brand, and a medical venture each earned investment funding as top candidates in Purdue University Northwest’s annual PNW Big Sell pitch competition.
Jonathan Rose won first place and $10,000 for ModMath, a tablet application that allows students with dyslexia and dysgraphia to complete math exercises using a digital interface instead of pen and paper.
“PNW Big Cell serves as a valuable opportunity to further the University’s goals of supporting local entrepreneurs and fostering breakthrough innovation in our communities,” said Alexandra, Clinical Lecturer in Entrepreneurship. Moran said in a university news release. “We appreciate the ingenuity of our contestants and look forward to continuing to support them in their business goals.”
Emily Edwards won second place and $3,000 for Paradise Spreads, a collection of organic, gluten-free, plant-based spreads and snacks. Edwards also won second place in her PNW Big Sell in 2021 and received support from university staff for further merchandising.
Daniel Cruz Lopez won third place and $1,000 from Sepsis Slayers, a business aimed at reducing sepsis-related deaths in the medical field.
The 10 finalists presented their opinions to four judges inside Purdue University Northwest’s Center for Commercialization and Manufacturing Excellence. The judges included casting director Vincent Arcuri, Roosevelt University journalism professor John Fountain, and former for-profit and nonprofit director Max Moses, co-founder and CEO of agricultural technology company Cultivation Connect. CEO (CEO) Alex Wisniewski.
The PNW Big Sell was sponsored by the university’s College of Business, Northern Indiana Public Service Co., and Centier Bank.
“The PNW Big Sell Pitch Contest provides aspiring entrepreneurs from all fields the opportunity to present innovative ideas for potential commercialization,” said Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Commercialization and Research. said Niaz Latif, Vice-Chancellor in charge. “We are grateful for the community sponsorship we receive each year, which helps us recognize these talented individuals and promote potential startups in Northwest Indiana.”
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