Nutriply Wins Innovation Challenge: The Seed Pitch

Hosted by the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship, the four-part Innovation Challenge continued with The Seed Pitch on Wednesday, Nov. 18. In front of a panel of industry expert judges and executed virtually, 18 ventures gave 5:00 pitches of their startup idea and participated in 10:00 of Q&A.

Nutriply, developed by Minqi Wang (food science), won first place and $6,000.

In a tweet: Nutriply licenses encapsulation technologies to dietary supplement companies to protect the key components from degradation during manufacturing and digestion.

Joshua Rousseau (communications, ‘21), Keen Sung ’20 (computer science, PhD) and Xavier Wrenn (computational mathematics, ’21) are developing Amherst Intelligence Security and won $4,000.

In a tweet: We take existing security infrastructure and bring it into the modern age through the use of Computer Vision and Machine Learning.

Interactive Studios – developed by Adrian Chase (computer science and BDIC, ’23) Joseph Savell (computer science, ’22), German Ramirez (DaVinci School of Art and Design, ’21) and Alvin He (economics, ’22) – won $4,000.

In a tweet: Interactiva Studios is a tech startup dedicated to improving the way people convey knowledge by researching and developing technologies within interactive media and computer-generated imagery.

Small Space Design, pitched by Finn O’Connor (building and construction technology), was awarded Honorable Mention and $500.

In a tweet: Reinventing the roof rack for cars, trucks, and vans - that's what we do. What makes ours special? It is 100% modular, meaning that there are endless possibilities to change its shape, function, and accessories. Made out of slotted aluminum, it is ultra-light and easy to use!

ClassMate also earned Honorable Mention and $500. The team includes Nicholas DeCastro (OIM, ’22), Shelby Anderson (computer systems engineering, ’22),  and Igor De Sousa-Vieira (OIM, ’22).

In a tweet: College has always been a lot to manage but students today are juggling more responsibilities than ever. ClassMate creates a personalized study schedule for each student. Our software splits up assignments based on unique preferences, ensuring the user works effectively.

Next up in the four-part Innovation Challenge series is The Semifinal, set for Wednesday, Nov. 18. This competition simulates the closed-door pitch process and the top teams – as determined by the judges – will advance to The Final later in the spring.

Judges: Ron Molina-Brantley (Berkshire Bank), Erica Swallow (Southern Swallow), Larry Yusuf (EY)

Up Next: Innovation Challenge: The Semifinal | Mon., Feb. 22, 2021

Sponsors: EY, The Heiser Family, Norman “Bud” Robertson, Kumar Ganapathy, Jeff Glassman (Darn It!), John & Sally Burke, Joe Suyemoto, Jerry O'Connor, Valerie Post (Engel & Volkers, Boston), Larry Post '75 (Post Hospitality Group)