2026 College by College Pitch Off

This year’s College-by-College Pitch-Off competition wrapped up with its finale event on March 2. After seven great days of pitches from students across all of Iowa State University’s colleges, 32 ideas were selected for the final round, where presenting individuals or teams had a chance to win up to $5,000.

Students like Quinn Mitchell, a sophomore in Finance, Ivy College of Business, were able to showcase their existing businesses that provide solutions to real-world problems. Enter Cota Hydration– a clean, natural hydration drink that provides electrolytes in their bioavailable forms without unnecessary junk. 

“At the golf course I worked at over the summer, Gatorade was just a default option,” Quinn said.” My goal is to make clean and optimal hydration the new standard.”

New ideas were also presented, including GoMode by Ben Trost, a natural scent diffuser designed to prepare athletes for game time, offering a cleaner, more organic experience than products like VapoRub. The idea was first sparked by a class project, but Ben, a senior in Industrial Design, College of Design, and his partner, Sophia, recognized its potential. 

Anders Otness pitches at the College-by-College Pitch Off Finale March 2, 2026.

Standing up to pitch an idea can seem scary at first, but students like Sara Albarracin, a sophomore double major in Management and Information Systems and Supply Chain Management at the Ivy College of Business, have welcomed it as a step outside their comfort zone.

“Being able to represent my brand and my company has been a challenge for me because I’m not used to public speaking, but it’s been an experience that I’m really proud of,” said Sara, who pitched her cottage bakery business, Choclified. 

While the bulk of students’ preparation focuses on the 90-second business pitch, Ben says preparing for the Q&A with the judges is equally valuable. 

“The question answering is just as important as the pitch,” Ben says. “Being able to answer those questions quickly, clearly, and thoroughly is a really good skill to have, and it shows that you know what you’re talking about in your research.”

Wilnuse Riphin, the creator of Eco Cradle, a soft-mesh carrier for transporting plants, said she saw participating in the pitch competition as an opportunity to grow.

“Regardless of if I win or lose, I’m leaving here with something. I’m leaving with feedback on my product, and I’m leaving here knowing I tried,” said Wilnuse, a junior in Industrial Design, College of Design. 

Year after year, the College-by-College Pitch Off is the Pappajohn Center’s most well-attended and high-energy event of the semester. ISU President David Cook and Dr. Katie Cook attended the competition on his first day in office, joined by several college deans and entrepreneurship leaders — a strong show of support from university leadership and clear excitement surrounding the event.

The finale judging panel featured a talented mix of entrepreneurship leaders from Iowa State and the Ames community. David Spalding (Former ISU Interim President, Current Vice President of Economic Development and Industry Relations), Dylan Kline (Director of Business Development, Ames Regional Economic Alliance), Diana Wright (Startup Community Builder, Greater Des Moines Partnership), Micah Walker (CYstarters Alum, Investment Associate, InnoVenture Iowa), and Leah Locke (Regional Director, ISU Small Business Development Center).

“Everyone that pitched and showed up should be encouraged to continue to go on, no matter if they win,” Diana Wright says. “Sometimes the best thing is just pitching in front of their peers to grow their confidence.”

With so many innovative concepts presented, the judges faced the difficult task of selecting the top winners.

“It was difficult for sure,” Diana says. “When there’s 30 ideas and pitches, it’s hard to go through so quickly.”

In the end, 33 student entrepreneurs, competing individually or in teams, walked away with prize money. Due to the strength of the ideas presented, an additional $3,000 was awarded in honorable mentions on the spot, with six individuals or teams receiving $500 each.

College by College Pitch Off Winners

First Place– $5,000:

• Existing – SparkDefy by Boluwarin Ojo, College of Design
• New – Firefighter HUD by team Erick Shoesmith, Ryan Sperlakis, Drew Montee, Sam Carroll, Tristan Headley, Colton Brown, College of Engineering

Second Place– $2,500:

• Existing – Goldmine Equine by Jade Durfey, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• New – RUGGD by team Olivia Cramer, Caleb Askelson, Tanner Ray, Vikram Timsina, Anna McDermott, Michaela Leiting, College of Engineering

Third Place– $1,000:

• Existing – OAVAO Technologies LLC by Benjamin Adams, College of Engineering
• New – GoMode by Benjamin Trost and Sophia, College of Design

Honorable Mentions– $500:

• Bark & Grille by Isaac White, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Outwitt Creations by Colin Witt, College of Engineering
• North Star Scientific LLC by Anders Otness, College of Engineering
• Kineticore by team Nathan Van Thomme, Kenny Tran, Will Pavlick, Max Mesenburg, Dylan Hender, Katie Jensen, College of Engineering
• JJsFuel by Jada Britten, College of Health and Human Sciences
• Vacmate by team Evan Striegel, Cael Siebrecht, Grayson Hartman, Grant Lilley, Ian Toft, Blake Christensen, College of Engineering

Winners of the College-by-College Pitch Off Finale.

“Any idea counts as an idea,” says Kailey Stevens, CYstarters cohort 10, and junior in Graphic Design with minors in Advertising and Entrepreneurship, College of Design. “So even if it’s a school project, go for it and try it. Even if you don’t end up running your own business, it’s such a good confidence booster.”

Bolded K Studio, Kailey’s brand design service, focuses on purpose-driven founders to elevate their voices and showcase their value.