Thirty Washington University startups have been named as semifinalists in the fall 2023 Skandalaris Venture Competition (SVC), where they are competing for a chance to win up to $25,000 in funding. Each venture is founded by students or recent alumni. “We were beyond thrilled to see so many new ideas enter the competition this semester,” shared Chris Ramsay, Associate Director of the Skandalaris Center. “It’s always exciting to see the journey of student and alum entrepreneurs – whether they have a brand new idea, pivoted from a previous idea, or are building their existing venture – and we are here to support them beyond the competition.”
We are proud to share that for the third semester in a row, we had a record-breaking number of entries in the competition! We saw 95 teams submit an idea during this cycle, which is up from 90 teams who entered in the spring. “I love to see so many great ideas through this competition each semester,” commented Cyril Loum, Assistant Director of Venture Development. “As an interdisciplinary center, it’s encouraging and rewarding to see ideas coming from all corners of campus, and teams being built across academic interests.”
On October 19, 2023, 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 attend the Skandalaris Venture Competition Semifinals where the semifinalists return to pitch their ideas to the audience. Attendees will get to vote for a People’s Choice winner to receive a $250 prize before the finalist teams are announced to move onto the next round. 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 fall 2023 Skandalaris Venture Competition (SVC) semifinalists are:
AgeSafe Assist is an online platform to connect older adults at risk for falls with occupational therapists who are trained to deliver a new evidence-based fall prevention intervention. Sophie Fendler (LA ’26 and Beyond Boundaries)
Akna is using banana fiber from LMIC to create biodegradable menstrual pads, while lifting rural farmers out of poverty. Carolina Plaza (MPH ’24)
Another Me is an app that tracks your mental health and provides recommendations on mindfulness practice based on your personal data. Voranun Taweerutchana (MBA ’24), Watunyu Suthacheewa (MBA ’24), Tram Ngo (MBA ’24), and Natee Viravan
AquaGen is a device for residential homes that harvests clean energy from rain droplets through the use of the triboelectric effect. Abdul Majeed Lalani (EN and SI ’24), Moyesh Khanal (EN ’24), Ashwin Deodhar (EN and SI ’25), and Devin Fredericks (EN and SI ’24)
Ascent Labs works to provide sleep relief through drug-free solutions. Samarth Aggarwal (EN PhD) and Yohann Samarasinghe
ASL Aspire builds games to make STEM more accessible to K-12 deaf students and their teachers. Mona Jawad (WUSM PhD)
Beacon Tags is an effective, secure, and affordable solution to lost items. Ethan Weilheimer (EN ’25)
Chick is developing innovative skincare products that utilize the skin’s natural defenses. Christina Trivisonno (LA ’25) and Mary Trivisonno (BU ’25)
Crewmate is an embeddable and monetized talent community for the world’s fastest growing brands. Raj Thaker (EN ’24)
Element is a clothing brand that designs versatile, high quality and ergonomic swimwear and activewear. Maria Kamila Severiche (MBA ’24)
FlashChat AI a web app that converts the inquisitive, educational conversations a user has with ChatGPT into customizable, electronic flashcards that are meticulously designed for study. Jorge Saucedo (MD ’26), Karan Joseph (MD ’26), Akshay Mehta (MD ’26), and Danielle Wilder (LA ’21, MD ’26)
Great Axis is a platform that creates an innovative and inclusive way to explore the world, learn languages, and foster understanding across borders by bridging the gap between travel limitations and the desire for cultural experiences. Jennifer Alexander (FA ’27 and Beyond Boundaries)
JUSTUSED TECH is a sustainability brand that seeks to reduce the amount of e-waste in our society by repurposing, recycling and re-homing technological devices, donating a percentage to underserved communities and also placing a percentage on our e-commerce website. Titobiloluwa Oreolorun (MBA ’24), Priyansh Lall (MBA), Deborah Olajide (MBA ’24), and Chris Wise (MBA ’24)
Lablink is a centralized platform that democratizes STEM research opportunities by connecting students with available projects, empowering them to pursue research that aligns with their goals and interests. Arnav Desai (LA ’25), James Baba (EN ’25), Pranav Palakodety (EN ’26), and Zhuchen Mao (MSF ’23)
Loupex is simplifying the operating room through mixed reality data fusion. Samuel Brehm (MD/MBA ’26)
Mend is a platform that connections individuals with clothing repair & redesign needs to local creatives. Olivia Baba (FA ’23), Hannah Holzer (BU ’26), Seana Chambers (BU ’23), Mitchell Sampson (EN ’25), Hanna Fu (FA ’24), and Nisha Mani (LA ’23)
MiDoc is an at-home remote heart and lung physical exam device to augment telemedicine, revolutionizing the patient-provider experience and improving healthcare access, affordability, convenience, and quality. Linda WU (MBA ’23), Oren Bell (MS ’23, EN PhD), Mac Barnes (EN ’26 and Beyond Boundaries), Mary Ruppert-Stroescu, Brandon J. Heeger, and Derek Heeger
NailPass gives you access to enjoy unlimited manis + pedis at any salon in the United States with your choice of polish: performance, long-lasting, and gel. Inara Khan (BU ’24)
NIURA is a biomedical startup that is revolutionizing electroencephalography (EEG systems) by integrating advanced brain-computer interfaces into traditional earbuds for a proactive pre-screening of various neurological conditions and more. Deven Rozario (BU ’26)
OvuMap is revolutionizing reproductive healthcare with a minimally invasive continuous hormone monitor that provides critical menstrual cycle insights in an easy-to-use mobile app. Nathalie Morton (EN ’24), Erin Ritter (EN ’24), and Bhavana Angalakudati (EN ’24)
Papertrail is a digital platform for car enthusiasts and dealers to manage and share their vehicle records. Kuo Wang (EN ’24, TG ’25), Jimmy Lancaster (BU ’25) Drew Kassman (LA ’25), Christian Robinson (BU ’26), and Andrew Padousis (BU ’25), Josh Magare (EN ’26)
Passback is upcycling sports equipment so every kid can play. Magdalen Pike (PMBA ’24), Vianca Cuevas (MPH ’20, MBA ’24), Logan Rogge (EN’ 24), Lia Schattner (EN ’20, PMBA ’24), and Jon Lee
Phoenix is a 3D-printed prosthetic with interchangeable parts, so that it can be modified without complete replacement. Lili Hostetler (SI and MBA ’24), Steve Sedano (MBA ’24), Arun Ganesan (MBA ’24), and Neil Sefah (MBA ’24)
Pledge is is an accountability partner in your pocket. By requiring daily fiscal pledges on each task, the app ensures your efforts compound over time. Chris Chen (EN ’26)
Portal revolutionizes the career discovery process by allowing users to see hundreds of job perspectives aligned with their professional interests through engaging, 30-60 second videos on a social media application. Brad Raizner (LA ’26), Luke Stockbridge (EN ’26), Jayce Bordelon (EN ’25), and Jared Mantell (BU ’26)
Protein Bean aims to produce a high protein nutritious snack for athletes that is nut free. Jake Hibbert (MBA ’25), Haad Zahid (MBA ’25), Yabsira Ayele (MBA ’25), Sergiu Celebidachi (MBA ’25), Neel Parasanalli (MBA ’25), Joshua Samuel (MBA ’25), and Samuel Brehm (MD/MBA ’26)
ResearchGPT is an AI tool for research analysis. Bill Qin (LA ’25)
Sustain-a-Plate is an enterprise grocery store software that alleviates food waste and helps their customers save money and find recipes they may never have. Franklin Taylor (MBA ’24), Anna Larizza (BU ’24), Kelsey Kloezeman (BU ’24), and Tanvi Jammula (BU ’26)
TossUp is an approachable, social, and competitive betting app offering handpicked daily bets, head-to-head rankings against friends, and a simplified points system. Max Williams (LA ’24), Adam Haiken (BU ’24), Sean Chopra (LA ’24), and Julian Tornusciolo (BU ’24)
Uplift is a travel planning app for people with disabilities. George Mitrev (EN ’24), Josh Nixon, and
Ceridwen Grady