Twenty-two Washington University startups have been named as semifinalists in the spring 2024 Skandalaris Venture Competition (SVC). Each venture, founded by students or recent alumni, is competing for a chance to win up to $25,000 in funding. “As an interdisciplinary center, we’re incredibly proud to see all of the innovative ideas coming from all corners of campus,” shared Cyril Loum, Assistant Director of Venture Development. “The quality of work that we’re seeing through the various stages of this competition is unmatched. All of the SVC teams should be so proud of their ideas and the work they’re putting in, because we certainly are!”

On March 7, 2024, the semifinalists will pitch to a panel of judges throughout the day at a closed event. Following those presentations, we invite the WashU and St. Louis community to join us in Umrath Lounge for the Skandalaris Venture Competition Semifinals where the semifinalists return to pitch their ideas to the audience. Attendees will cast a vote for their favorite pitch – the Skandalaris Center will award the top two teams with a People’s Choice prize of $500 each! Then stick around as we announce the finalist teams moving on to the finals in April. We encourage you to join us for an exciting evening of ideas, cheer on these amazing ventures, and cast your vote for People’s Choice!

The Spring 2024 Skandalaris Venture Competition (SVC) semifinalists are:

Adjustable Children’s Clothing makes clothing that expands to a child’s new body growth while keeping it affordable, stylish, and long-lasting. Dominique Jordan (BU ’25)

AIRY is a smart-journaling app that automatically provides users with photo-rich, activity-based bullet journals and analysis with one tap. Shuhan Zhang (EN ’24), Heesoo Cho (FA ’26)

Anode Free Sodium Batteries are a cost-effective and better-performing replacement for current lithium-ion batteries, based on more abundant sodium. Rajeev Gopal (PhD Candidate), Ethan Boutelle (SI), Peng Bai

Another Me is an AI-powered app-based platform offering personalized mental wellness guidance to reduce stress and enhance well-being. Voranun Taweerutchana (MBA ’24), Watunyu Suthacheewa (MBA ’24), Ethan Ng (Beyond Boundaries ’27), Jing Gao (EN ’25), Joshua Li (GB)

Article 26 leverages the vital connection between mental and financial health to guide users as they build better habits with our unique and personalized insights and approach. Helen Telahun (EN ’24), Will Andelman (EN ’25), Dongyu Zu

Carbon Salary opens the carbon credit market to individuals through a carbon salary. Jacob Hibbert (MBA ’25), Jake Madary (MBA ’25), Jack Hobert (LA ’25), Henry Goddard (EN ’24), Riley Thompson (BU ’25)

Connect provides High Schoolers with online, verified mentorship from mentors (alumni, high-achieving peers, & parents) in their community. Michael Lee (LA ’26), Ethan Ng (Beyond Boundaries ’27), Fortuna Kadima (EN ’26), Jared Mantell (BU ’26)

For Womenhood is a safety app for college females experiencing intimate partner violence. Cherise Brookes (MBA ’24), Phadria Stanley (MBA ’25), Michelle Tellez (BU ’26), Marilyn Qiu (MBA ’24)

Fugitive VOC Bot aims to design and build a robot that can measure fugitive emissions in a chemical plant setting. Nick Gunter (EN ’25)

InCase is a sleek, durable Narcan carrier designed for life-saving convenience at your fingertips. Danielle Wilder (MD ’26), Matthew Bitner-Glindzicz (SI ’22)

Mapable is a travel planning app for people with disabilities. George Mitrev (EN ’24)

Mavo Group is a full-service creative video production company specializing in high-quality Music Videos, Commercials, Content, and Photography. Maria Villegas (MBA ’25), Miguel Orjuela

OvuMap is developing minimally invasive continuous hormone monitors that provide critical menstrual cycle insights and connect to a user-centric mobile app that allows individuals to make informed decisions about their health and lives. Nathalie Morton (EN ’24), Erin Ritter (EN ’24), Bhavana Angalakudati (EN ’24), Amanda Freeman (EN ’27), Tata Toure (EN ’26)

Page Pacer is a Chrome Extension that helps you read faster & stay focused through reading word-by-word. Aaron Hubhachen (EN ’27)

Phoenix is a biomedical engineering company focused on creating cost-effective prosthetics that are designed to be a patient’s partner for a lifetime. Lili Hostetler (SI and MBA ’24), Linda Graff (MBA ’24), Adrian Hong (BU ’24), Neil Sefah (MBA ’24)

Portal is a mobile application that helps students and job switchers see as many perspectives on the careers they are or should be considering as possible through short-form videos made by professionals. Brad Raizner (BU ’26), Andrew Woolbert (EN ’26)

Salvage picks up students’ pre-loved clothing, repurposes it using non-invasive methods, and offers the revamped clothing at wallet-friendly prices in conveniently located campus stores. Lea Bond (LA ’24), Carl Vestberg (BU ’24), Jake Middleman (BU ’24), Zach Hausner (BU ’24)

SevPay helps international students make payments and access education financing in the United States. Abdul Oganla (MBA ’24)

Sustain-a-Plate helps grocery stores alleviate waste and increase profitability. Franklin Taylor (MBA ’24), Anna Larizza (BU ’25), Kelsey Kloezeman (BU ’24), Tanvi Jammula (BU ’26), Anna Larizza (BU ’25), Jason Ti (SI)

The Process is a card game that engages students in civics education to develop advocacy skills needed for advancing the interests of their community. Colby Crowder (SW ’24), Stanford Cooper

WrapperAI is a SaaS-based privacy filter for AI prompts. Jing Gao (EN ’25)

WUWA Textiles is reimagining existing textile waste through padding/foam alternatives that serve the reusability, protective equipment, and sports industries. Mac Barnes (EN ’26), Art Zhang (EN ’24), Lucia Umbreit (EN ’26), Rachel Charendoff (EN ’25)