Sam Kurland ’26 spent more than five years in and out of hospitals to treat chronic brain inflammation when she was 10 years old. Kurland’s doctors eventually diagnosed her with autoimmune encephalopathy, caused by an infection.

The PET scan that displayed widespread inflammation in her brain became the inspiration for Kurland’s business venture: a line of high-end fashion garments featuring blown-up imagery of brain scans, cancer cell slides and histology printed onto clothing and accessories.

“I want to turn something scary into something beautiful,” says Kurland, who earned a graphic design major from the and a minor in fashion design from the . “You wouldn’t even know you were looking at medical imagery when you’re looking at the pieces.”

Kurland arrived at the without a business plan, a legal entity or a clear sense of what came next.

On her first visit, Sarah Schreiber ’26 sat down and produced a document highlighting Kurland’s business goals—including her dream of one day dressing celebrities for the Met Gala—that served as the foundation for a business plan.

“She got the ideas in my head and turned them into something concrete,” Kurland says. “That was the moment when I thought, okay, I can actually do this. We’re all going through this totally new experience of starting our businesses together.”

Turning a Concept Into a Product

Kurland hopes to launch her clothing line—featuring dresses, blouses, handbags, ties and pocket squares—for presale by the end of the month.

A scan of Kurland’s brain tumor adorns the front of a tank top, while imagery of her sister’s rare thoracic injury inspired another of Kurland’s fashion pieces.

Twenty percent of proceeds will go directly to the specific medical research initiatives depicted in each piece. Kurland has been in contact with medical research facilities to secure additional imaging.

“What we wear matters. I’m trying to bring meaning back to clothing. There is emotional resonance and value that goes beyond something looking cute,” Kurland says.

Kurland plans to launch on Coveted, a mobile fashion marketplace founded by fellow LaunchPad member Naheem Cadiz III ’28.

That kind of peer-driven support defines the LaunchPad experience for many student entrepreneurs.

Finding His Place, Then Paying It Forward

Shahaan Khan had just started working at the LaunchPad when he overheard a student entrepreneur, Haley Greene, discussing the difficulty of finding a reliable backend developer for her mental health app, Miirror.

Khan, who is pursuing a master’s degree in applied human-centered AI from the , helped Greene better understand behavioral patterns of Miirror’s app users, including how and where users were engaging with the platform. Just as important, Khan showed where users were abandoning the app.

Last semester, Khan held weekly AI office hours at the LaunchPad for students seeking guidance on AI tools to advance their ideas.

“When I’m in the LaunchPad, I just think of it as all my friends,” Khan says. “It’s a warm environment, an open-concept space where everybody cares about helping solve the problems we’re all working on.”

Competitors Who Coach Each Other

After Kurland and Greene competed for Hult Prize funding, Greene approached Kurland with a suggestion for improving her pitch.

As she listened to Kurland’s pitch, Greene noticed that Kurland’s personal story—her years spent in the hospital and the medical journey that inspired the brand—wasn’t featured prominently enough in the presentation. Greene pulled up Kurland’s slide deck and started rearranging it.

“Haley said, ‘Your story is your product,’” Kurland says. “‘That’s so much more powerful.’ And she’s right. It’s not like anyone can just make this. It’s because of my passion for helping fund medical research that makes it what it is.”

Kurland incorporated the feedback, restructuring her pitch deck to lead with the more personal narrative rather than the product itself.

“That’s just the kind of supportive environment we have among entrepreneurs on campus,” Kurland says. “Students don’t view each other as competitors. Everyone is willing to offer advice and feedback to help you improve your idea.”

Learning Together, Growing Together

When entrepreneur Jacob Kaplan ’27 expressed interest in wearing one of Kurland’s pieces at a LaunchPad pitch event, she decided to branch out into menswear.

“I almost turned a blind eye to that possibility, but thankfully, I was able to connect with the right people who opened my eyes to a whole new audience,” Kurland says.

For Kurland and countless student entrepreneurs, the LaunchPad doesn’t simply offer access to resources; it provides a community where students can bounce ideas off each other.

“I don’t have a team,” Kurland says. “But it feels like I’m not doing it alone. If I’m stressed or I don’t know what the next move is, I can go, and there are people there who are willing to help. That collaborative space is truly special.”

Edouard Agbor has spent years building a solution to a problem he knows intimately.

Growing up in Cameroon, he watched talented students lose access to life-changing educational opportunities—not because they weren’t qualified, but because the system designed to help them was broken, expensive and often predatory.

A first-generation student, Agbor’s parents did not attend university. He was unprepared to navigate a complex education system alone and, like so many promising students, fell victim to scam.

“I lost over $800,” says Agbor. “That money took me over a year and a half to save.”

Inspired by his experience, Agbor, a graduate student in applied human-centered AI in the , founded , an AI platform that connects African students with verified academic and funding opportunities across the continent and the world.

“I started building the system for two reasons: so that nobody would have to be in my shoes, and to collect information that will permit the continent to get ahead,” says Agbor. “Instead of just mapping to academic excellence, what about the talents that these people have? Can it open the door? We increase their chances of getting a scholarship, fellowship and getting access to those funds without being scammed.”

A Platform Built on Personal Experience

GritGateway’s matching engine uses a psychometric model called GritScore that measures resilience, resourcefulness and experience rather than GPA alone. The platform hasn’t formally launched or spent any marketing dollars and has already attracted 1,000 student users across more than 25 African countries.

Agbor is confident the technology works because he used it to advance his own education. It was the GritGateway tool that suggested Syracuse University would be a good fit for him, given his interests in AI and entrepreneurship and such resources as the at . He’s been a regular at the LaunchPad since he arrived on campus in January. That’s where he connected with teammate Souleymane Bah ’26, a then-senior in the . Bah believed in his venture and helped him share, pitch and grow the idea, freeing Agbor to continue to develop and test features.

“I’ve been so impressed with how this team has refined their business development plan, but even more impressed with the tremendous amount of work they’ve put into the service and how they’ve leveraged AI tools,” says Traci Geisler, director of the LaunchPad. “This venture has identified and addressed not only a gap in service but a true need. The interest in this product has been amazing and just continues to grow.”

Putting It to the Test

Agbor and Bah are not the only ones who believe in this idea. The team won several entrepreneurship competitions this past spring, including the Lerner Center Social Impact Pitch Competition, where GritGateway took home the top prize of $5,000.

The competition, now in its second year, is hosted by the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health in partnership with the LaunchPad. This year’s theme—Building Healthier Communities Through Innovation—drew 12 undergraduate teams from eight of the University’s schools and colleges, competing in a two-round format evaluated on problem-solving, viability, research and development, and social impact.

Other winners of the Lerner competition include rising senior Ava Ray Lubkemann ֶ’27, an environmental engineering student, in second place. Lubkemann won $3,000 for a mobile thrift model built around a converted bus that collects donated clothing and redistributes it to underserved communities.

Taking home third place and $1,000 was Haley Greene ’26, who graduated in May with a degree in advertising and applied communication from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, for a digital platform called Miirror that reimagines eating disorder recovery.

Vicente Cuevas, the Lerner Center’s undergraduate student engagement manager, says this year’s competition showcased exactly the kind of thinking it was designed to encourage. He says, “This competition is an opportunity for students to move from idea to action, and to see themselves as changemakers capable of building healthier communities through innovation.”

What Comes Next

All three teams are reinvesting their prize money in their ventures to support continued growth. Agbor and Bah plan to bring GritGateway to scale through new partnerships, while Bah will remain at Syracuse to pursue an M.P.A. at the Maxwell School.

Later this month, the system will launch a dedicated environment for African universities, high schools and nongovernmental organizations to support their students on the platform. Agbor projects 10,000 users by September, and plans are in development to open access to U.S. universities interested in recruiting African talent.

Three Syracuse University Libraries’ LaunchPad student start-up teams won prizes in the finals of the ,Ěýpowered by Upstate Capital Association of NY, held in Albany on April 22.

Celes Buffard ’27 (School of Information Studies), founder of SecondWave, won the $10,000 first prize in the learn, work and live category. SecondWave combines financial literacy education with fractional real estate investing, starting with fix-and-flip properties and community development.

Nathan Brekke ’26 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), co-founder of Phloat LLC, won the $2,000 second prize in the products and hardware category. Phloat is a phone case that has an ultra-compact, deployable flotation feature that triggers in the event of a phone falling and sinking into deep water.

Frederick Zindell G’27 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), founder of Renewed Roots, won a $500 best concept stage award in the health and wellbeing category. Renewed Roots is a sustainable alternative to traditional burial options.

The NYBPC attracts some of New York state’s best student entrepreneurs. The competition promotes entrepreneurial opportunities for college students from across the state who pitch their business plans to seasoned investors. Students also get to engage with mentors and judges from the business community.

The finals event connects students with business professionals, provides experiential learning opportunities through competitions, introduces entrepreneurs to available resources through the Entrepreneurship Expo and awards up to $100,000 in cash prizes to help seed new ventures.

This year 60 finalist teams from across the state participated in the competition.

Syracuse University Libraries’ LaunchPad awarded prizes to several student entrepreneur teams as part of its annual Afropreneurship Celebration and Pitch Competition held in Bird Library on Feb. 6.

The event included a panel discussion featuring student and alumni entrepreneurs, followed by a pitch competition open to student teams across campus. Students pitched in either the Concept/Idea Track, where participants delivered a 90-second pitch on their idea for a chance to win $250-$500, or the Proof of Concept/Prototype/In-Market Track, where participants delivered a 4-minute business pitch and question and answer for a chance to win $1,000-$2,500.

Winning teams in the Concept Track were:

• Yuqian Di ’26 (School of Architecture), founder of ReBoot, won 1^st place ($500). ReBoot is a specialized on-campus service to save students’ winter boots from salt damage through professional restoration, extending the lifespan of expensive footwear.
• Yuxin Chen ’26 (School of Architecture), founder of PlateMap, placed 2^nd and was awarded $250.ĚýPlateMap is a visual meal-mapping system that eliminates decision fatigue by aligning food planning with a user’s actual schedule to make healthy, cost-effective eating effortless.

Winning teams in the In-Market Track were:

• Edouard Agbor G’26 (School of Information Studies), founder of GritGateway won 1^st place ($2500). is an ethical human-centered AI-powered global opportunity platform with active users across 20+ African countries that helps ambitious African students turn their life stories into verified profiles of grit, resilience and potential that universities can trust.
• Imaad Maqsood ’29 (College of Arts & Sciences), founder of Upstate Pressure won 2^nd place ($1500). Upstate Pressure is a residential and commercial pressure washing service that restores and protects exterior surfaces such as concrete walkways, driveways, decks, siding, fences, patios and more.
• Dylan Bardsley ’26 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), founder of ClarityĚýwon 3^rd Place ($750). Clarity is a transparent, AI-powered platform that instantly gives students clear, hyper-personalized credit card recommendations.
• Naheem Cadiz III ’28 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), founder of Coveted won 4^th place ($250). Coveted is a mobile fashion marketplace app designed for independent and emerging clothing brands and the consumers who discover them.

When Angelo (A.J.) Damiano ’18 came up with the idea for PowerSpike—an influencer platform that connects gamers with potential sponsorship opportunities—as a first-year student, he had no idea his venture would one day grow into a company with more than $5 million in annual revenue.

But after “learning everything there was to launch a business” from the , the University’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurship on campus, that’s exactly what happened to Damiano.

“The LaunchPad gives so many students the skills necessary to go out and build very successful businesses,” says Damiano, who earned bachelor’s degrees in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises and marketing management from the . “What was so magical was that we all helped each other learn from what was working with our business and what was not and then use that knowledge to develop our business.”

Damiano’s journey from Lawrinson Hall to a $5 million company exemplifies what the LaunchPad has accomplished since opening 10 years ago.

Located on Bird Library’s first floor, the incubator has helped:

• 7,600 innovators from more than 135 countries,
• launch more than 2,300 venture ideas,
• raise more than $164 million in funds and
• incorporate 220 ventures.

The University community celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the LaunchPad on Oct. 16, with Dean of Libraries and University Librarian David Seaman praising an innovative and dynamic space that enhances the student experience on campus.

“This is truly a cross-campus, centrally located, collaborative and interdisciplinary space for our students to develop and launch innovative ventures and to thrive,” Seaman said during the celebration.

Unwavering Support and Mentorship

The LaunchPad helped Damiano develop his product pitch skills, secure funding through campuswide competitions and foster strong on-campus mentorship relationships.

Damiano learned valuable business lessons from Linda Dickerson Hartsock, LaunchPad’s first executive director, and from serial entrepreneurs like Sean Branagan, founder of the Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship, and John Liddy, creator of the Student Sandbox, an accelerator that helped students create businesses.

In 2022, Damiano sold PowerSpike to Live Current Media, and now he is co-founder and chief product officer of the social media automation platform, ScrollMark.

“We started from absolutely no experience and grew because of our involvement with this really awesome place called the LaunchPad, which gave us unwavering mentor support and assistance,” says Damiano, who was one of the University’s first entrepreneurs to be accepted into the prestigious Techstars program.

“The community within the LaunchPad gave us the business training, connections and strong foundation to build our companies and go full-time once we graduated.”

Collaborative Entrepreneurial Hub

Students from every school and college on campus are invited to take part in the LaunchPad’s more than 200 different offerings, ranging from classes, workshops and business presentations to networking opportunities with alumni entrepreneurs and peer mentorship with the program’s approximately 16 student staff members, says LaunchPad Director Traci Geisler ’90.

This includes more than a dozen different funding opportunities each academic year for student entrepreneurs to cover the early-stage startup expenses, she says.

“We have LaunchPad entrepreneurs who are generating revenue by their sophomore year in college, students who are closing seven-figure investment rounds and founders who are hiring full-time employees before they graduate,” Geisler says.

“Whether you possess a business idea or are already revenue generating, all are welcome at this collaborative space. There is endless potential here,” she says.

Founders Circle Alumni Prioritize Giving Back

The LaunchPad also connects students to the University’s global network of Founders Circle alumni—graduates who launched or led ventures while contributing to the LaunchPad’s development as students.

These alumni support aspiring entrepreneurs through mentorship, advising, judging competitions and donating prize money.

Class of 2025 member Waqar Hussain G’25 founded Iconnic.Cloud, a cloud hosting platform engineered with proprietary software that creates customized solutions. Hussain’s company won first place at the annual ’Cuse Tank entrepreneurial event two years in a row, part of more than $60,000 in annual grants and awards won through pitch competitions.

“LaunchPad helped me tremendously, not only in acquiring funding for my startup, but also by connecting me with alumni and businesspeople who helped me make Iconnic.Cloud what it is today,” says Hussain, who earned a master of business administration degree from the Whitman School.

While on campus, Motolani Oladitan ’24 found herself struggling to access the proper skincare and wellness products tailored to her needs. She wanted to make those products more widely available, so she founded Tà Beautie (Latita Wellness LLC), a virtual marketplace connecting African beauty and wellness brands to global markets.

As she pursues a master’s degree in integrated innovation for products and services at Carnegie Mellon University, Oladitan says her experiences with the LaunchPad served as a steppingstone to her passion for skincare innovation for underrepresented consumers.

“The LaunchPad was the incubator for my career, allowing me to learn all about entrepreneurship and figure out how I want to make a career out of social entrepreneurship, because helping people is really important to me,” says Oladitan, who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the .

The Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad (LaunchPad) held its annual Impact Prize competition on Nov. 19 at Bird Library, commemorating Global Entrepreneurship Week. Seven student startup companies were awarded a total of $15,000 in cash prizes for ventures that create meaningful change.

The event featured a keynote from Carl Schramm, University Professor in the School of Information Studies and an internationally recognized leader in entrepreneurship, innovation and economic growth.Ěý An economist, serial entrepreneur and author of the book “Burn the Business Plan: What Great Entrepreneurs Really Do,” Schramm was namedĚý “the evangelist of entrepreneurship” by The Economist.

This year’s winners are:

• First place ($5,000): Haley Greene ’26 (S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications), founder of Miirror, a free, peer-led digital platform providing inclusive eating-disorder recovery support and crisis tools, making treatment accessible for underserved communities.
• Second place (tie) ($4,000): Dylan Bardsley ’26 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), founder of Clarity, an AI-powered credit card discovery tool that gives students personalized, unbiased recommendations to avoid debt and build credit.
• Second place (tie) ($4,000): Jacob Kaplan ’28 (School of Information Studies), founder of The OtherGlasses, adjustable prescription glasses using tunable liquid-crystal lenses that fit normal frames, allowing real-time vision changes without multiple pairs.
• Runner up ($500): Carolina Aguayo-Pla ’27 (School of Information Studies/Whitman School), founder of Frutecho, a modular cooling retrofit for non-refrigerated trucks that reduces produce spoilage and helps small farmers access premium markets.
• Runner up ($500): Ava Lubkemann ’27 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), founder of Revamped, a mobile thrift and textile-recovery model that collects, refurbishes and resells donated clothing to cut waste and expand affordable access.
• Runner up ($500): Rajdeep Chatterjee G’26 (Whitman School), founder of TradeBridge, a blue-collar ed-tech platform offering mobile-first vocational training, integrated tool purchasing and job placement.
• ĚýRunner up ($500): Samantha Kurland ’26 (Newhouse School), founder of AcellsĂ©, a high-fashion brand using medical cell imagery to create ethical, purpose-driven apparel that funds medical research.

During this year’s competition, the LaunchPad pilot tested new accessibility technology from Sign-Speak, a local upstate New York startup, which provided real-time American Sign Language translation during the competition.

This year’s 2025 Impact Prize competition judging panel includedĚý Suli Abdul Sabor, fashion designer and owner of By Suli; Lee Carman, chief commercial banking officer for Broadview Federal Credit Union; Corinne Sartori, Libraries’ inclusion and accessibility specialist; Alice Maggiore, media strategist at Strategic Communications LLC;Ěý Ibou Ithior, senior HIV prevention technical advisor at PATH; Meghan Durso, senior human capital manager at TDO; Janice Harvey, founder of JJR Strategies LLC; Emad Rahim, CenterState CEO Syracuse Surge entrepreneurship manager; Hailee Greene, chief everything officer at Green Acres Processing; Peter Wohl, chief performance officer at Broadview Federal Credit Union; Rina Corigliano-Hart, director of client engagement and outreach at OneGroup; and Vicente Cuevas, program coordinator at the Lerner Center in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Story by Sawyer Tardie ’27, Whitman School

Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad (LaunchPad) hosted its annual ’Cuse Tank entrepreneurial competition on Friday, Sept. 26, during Family Weekend in Bird Library. More than 50 student entrepreneur teams from various schools and colleges across campus participated in a “Shark-Tank” style business pitch to win $20,000 in cash prizes from parent donors.

The judges awarded cash prizes to a first-place winner, runner-up and three honorable mention teams to help support their up-and-coming businesses. Winners can use the funds to kick-start their innovative ideas or further develop specific areas of their ventures.

First Place Winner:

W.W. Productions, founded by James Oliver Welch ’28 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) and Reid Willar ’28 (Visual and Performing Arts), won the first place prize of $10,000. W.W Productions is a film production company aimed at empowering the next generation of filmmakers who want a chance to have their short-film productions reach some of the world’s biggest stages. Their website provides a platform for students to submit their films which are screened for quality, packaged with other shorts of the same genre, and distributed to major production companies.

Runner-Up:

ReVamped, founded by Ava Ray Lubkemann ’27 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), was the runner-up with $7,000 in cash prizes to help further fund her venture. ReVamped is a movement that mobilizes the collection of clothing and textile byproducts and transforms them into useful assets for underserved communities. The organization repurposes post-consumer textiles at no cost, refurbishes them and recirculates them through a resale network and fabric recycling mechanisms. They have hosted curated pop-up events selling surplus items at discounted rates to the Syracuse University and surrounding community, ensuring affordability and inclusive market access.

Honorable Mentions:

EmboldIN, founded by Nia Griffin ’28 (Visual and Performing Arts), earned an honorable mention as well as $1,000 in cash prize. EmboldIN is a Christian media company that helps people discover their worth in God through BOLDR (Bold, Original, Lucid, Deep, and Relatable) Christian media. Their devotional website, DevoTime, allows users to find scripture, submit prayer requests and shop an online store. In the future, EmboldIN plans to produce Christian pop, rock and genre-blending music with the rhythmic appeal of Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter and Michael Jackson, to help younger generations focus on God in a creative way.

Papex Inc., founded by Nicolas Courbage ’26 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), received an honorable mention and $1,000 in cash prizes. Papex is developing a digital platform and mobile application that will eliminate the need for physical, email or text receipts. Currently, the team has successfully developed an almost fully functional integration for the Clover Point of Sales system. Their business model aims to help vendors unlock new data from their customers, cut receipt costs and improve checkout speeds.

WashSentinel, founded by Luzceleste Delgadillo ’28 (Engineering and Computer Science), Andy Rivera ’28 (Engineering and Computer Science), Mikel Aizpurua ’28 (Engineering and Computer Science) and Peter Slabaugh ’28 (Engineering and Computer Science) received an honorable mention in the competition with $1,000 in cash prizes. WashSentinel is a washer/dryer security system designed for public laundry spaces. Their device detects doors opening and sends a notification alerting users that their laundry is being tampered with. WashSentinel is connected through QR codes and managed through an app, allowing users to watch over their laundry from any distance. The target market includes universities, apartment buildings and more.

The panel of judges consisted of parents and affiliated family members, bringing real-world business and entrepreneurial expertise to evaluate the innovative student ventures. This year’s ’Cuse Tank judges included:

• Melinda Dermody, associate dean of academic success, Syracuse University Libraries
• Amanda DuBose, College of Visual and Performing Arts librarian, Syracuse University Libraries
• Tyrone Fernandes ’21
• Jeffrey R. Fuchsberg L’10, director of the CASE Center
• Melissa J Gwilt ’15, G’18, G’22, executive director of operational excellence, Syracuse University Libraries
• Janice Harvey ’73, G’85
• Cristina Hatem ’92, director of strategic planning, marketing and communications, Syracuse University Libraries
• Seth Kaplan ’94
• Phillip McKnight ’16
• Katherine Oja
• Andrea Siegel ’76
• Dr. Ibou Thior
• Mirza Tihic, assistant teaching professor, College of Professional Studies
• Alice Villafana
• Scott A Warren, senior associate dean of research excellence, Syracuse University Libraries
• George Wazen, public safety library operations coordinator

Story by Anthony Thomas ’24 and RenĂ©e Kurie ’26

until Monday, Sept. 22, for the Blackstone LaunchPad’s ’Cuse Tank competition. This year’s annual ’Cuse Tank, a featured event kicking off , will take place Friday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. in Bird Library’s Peter Graham Scholarly Commons (Room 114), with pitches occurring in various rooms. Student entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges that include accomplished parent innovators, entrepreneurs and alumni.

’Cuse Tank is a pitch competition inspired by “Shark Tank” that is open to Syracuse University students across all majors who are creating innovative new products, services and technologies. Student teams present a four-minute pitch presentation followed by questions and answers from the judges. Winners will receive prize funding to help advance their ideas from concept to commercialization.

Some of last year’s winners went on to kick-start their innovative ideas while others used the money to further develop specific areas of their ventures.

This year’s ’Cuse Tank judges include:

• Melinda Dermody P’26
• Melissa J Gwilt ’15, G’18, G’22, P’28
• Seth Kaplan ’94, P’28
• Katherine Oja
• Ibou Thior P’28
• Mirza Tihic P’29
• Alice Villafana P’28
• Tonya Villafana P’28
• Scott A Warren P’29
• Mark Wassersug P’26

Story by Anthony Thomas ’24

The Blackstone LaunchPad hosted Ideas Fest, the annual LaunchPad student innovator competition, in Bird Library on Sept.Ěý12. The event drew more than 60 student entrepreneurs from various schools and colleges across campus, and they delivered a 90-second elevator pitch to a panel of judges.

Winners received $4,500 in cash prizes as well as a 30-minute mentoring session with the CEOs of Ami Cole and Overtime Media. These prizes provide student founders with the early stage support needed to jump-start their ventures and cover startup costs.

Here is what a few of the winners had to say about their ventures and about the experience as a whole:

• ’28 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications) is the founder of , a platform designed to support club leaders. Josefson describes his platform as one that will “streamline and organize every aspect of running a club, whether that is dues, membership management or event planning.” His main goal with this venture is to “support the club leaders at different universities and help them build community.”

• ’25 (Whitman School) is the founder of Fit Friends, a social networking app for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. The app allows users to connect with others in their local area who share similar athletic interests, goals and skill levels, making it easier to find a workout partner or teammate. McDermott plans to use the prize money for app development, hoping to create a platform where users can “find and swipe and match with other people” who share their passion for fitness.

• G’26 (College of Engineering and Computer Science) is developing a venture focused on creating a supportive brace for individuals with connective tissue disorders. The device is designed to help prevent joint dislocations by detecting muscle weakness and promoting safer movement. Sipperly aims to create a product that will help users “promote more effective and safe movement going forward, ultimately aiding in their physical therapy and improving their quality of life.”

Other student winners from Ideas Fest:

• Rajdeep Chatterjee G ’26 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management)

• Luzceleste Delgadillo ’28 (College of Engineering and Computer Science)

• Haley Greene ’26 (S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications)

• Ava Lubkemann ’27 (Engineering and Computer Science)

• Yasmin Madmoune G’27 (Whitman School)

• Imaad Maqsood ’29 (Whitman School and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs)

• Luke Spears G’26 (Engineering and Computer Science)

• Kellen Stewart ’27 (School of Information Studies and the Whitman School)

• Samuel Turin ’27 (Newhouse School)

Judges for the 2025 Ideas Fest:

This year’s panel of judges included alumni, doctoral candidates, business leaders and staff at Syracuse University:

• Tyrin Fernandes ’21;

• Kevin Foresti ’99;

• Janice Harvey ’73, G’85;

• Frank Marin ’24, G’24;

• Phil McKnight ’20;

• Damaris (Koi) Munyua G’22;

• Thomas P. O’Brien ’25;

• Cydavia Patterson (Newhouse School Ph.D. student);

• Lisa Smith, Broadview Federal Credit Union;

• TJ Stewart, Syracuse University Libraries;

• Justin Storie, Libraries;

• Barnabas Szilagyi, Broadview Federal Credit Union;

• Dhwani R. Vora G’25;

• George E Wazen, Syracuse University Public Safety Coordinator;

• Earl Young, Broadview Federal Credit Union.

Story by Mariah Brown ’26, student in the Whitman School and the School of Information Studies

Syracuse University graduate and undergraduate students can apply for the Fall 2025 round of grants now through Oct. 10 at midnight. Applications must be submitted as a single PDF to OrangeInnovation@syr.eduĚý and must follow the template which can be found on the . Interested applicants can also email OrangeInnovation@syr.edu to request an application package, information about an upcoming proposal writing workshop and full application guidelines.

Grants up to $5,000 per award will be made, with a total of up to $50,000 per academic year based on the merit of applications. The Orange Innovation Fund supports excellence in research, scholarship, student experiential learning and innovation by helping students from all academic disciplines move their entrepreneurial and scholarly projects into testing, working prototypes, proof of concept and commercialization. Funding for the program came from a gift to the Libraries from Raj-Ann Rekhi Gill ’98, a member of the University’s Board of Trustees.

Applicants can come directly through research classes, labs or independent study programs across the University. Teams must be led by Syracuse University students, and proposals should reflect independent student research rather than faculty-driven projects.

Student applicants must identify specific tangible needs related to the product, service or technology they are developing. Proposals can be for hardware and software products, new technologies, digital platforms or civic impact ventures. Grants will support defined projects over a clear period with identified outcomes that will help move a research project or innovative venture toward proof of concept and commercialization.

Students interested in applying are strongly encouraged to attend a proposal writing workshop on Zoom on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. The sessions will be led by Linda Dickerson Hartsock, advisor for strategic initiatives at the Libraries. The workshop provides practical guidance on shaping a proposal and tips that could also be applicable to future public, private or foundation funding opportunities.

An interdisciplinary team of research faculty and alumni experts will review applications. Following the review process, announcements and award letters will be made at the end of the semester.

The program is administered through Syracuse University Libraries, in collaboration with the University’s research and commercialization programs, such as the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE), the Blackstone LaunchPad, Couri Hatchery, Invent@SU, NEXIS, the Innovation Law Center, the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program at Syracuse, Intelligence ++, Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental Energy Systems, the Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering at Syracuse University (NYSTAR designated Center for Advanced Technology), the Startup Garage at the Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship and the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

Syracuse University Libraries awarded seven to student start-up businesses in 2025.

From launching a clothing line for neurodivergent individuals to creating artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools for industries as diverse as health care, computing and drone operation, Orange Innovation Fund grants are fueling a diverse set of entrepreneurial ventures led by University innovators. The competitive micro-grant program, coordinated through the University Libraries, supports student businesses to develop and test prototypes of products, services and technologies they are seeking to bring to the market.

Each of the 2025 award winners have legally incorporated as business entities and are actively working with the University innovation ecosystem, including Libraries and the Blackstone LaunchPad, Couri Hatchery at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, Invent@SU at the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Innovation Law Center at the College of Law.

Spring 2025 Awards

• Aidan Turner ’25 (School of Architecture) and Carolyn Fernandes ’25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) – SOLACE Collective: First-run production of a high-quality garment line designed for neurodivergent individuals. Funding completes garment and technical construction, the development of an e-commerce storefront and a direct-to-consumer launch in summer 2025.
• Angelo Niforatos G’25 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management) – Niffy Drones: Development of a minimally viable product for Titan Ops, an AI-powered analysis product for unmanned aerial systems. The software will ingest uncrewed system user manuals offline, enabling operators to access FAA Part 107 resources and conduct prototype testing with users. Niforatos also recently completed the NSF I-Corps program offered by Syracuse University.
• Emeka Ossai G’25 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management) – CampusLabs Nigeria: Establishment of a permanent co-working space at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s leading university. The entrepreneurship hub will serve graduates of the CampusLabs accelerator, a program developed with support from Syracuse University.
• Tony Goncalves ’27 (College of Engineering and Computer Science) – Gymin: Production of final prototypes based on initial testing and conducting a beta project at the Barnes Center for an integrated hardware and software system that delivers real-time analytics to fitness equipment users. User feedback will inform the product development that will soon be ready for commercial deployment. Goncalves also recently completed the NSF I-Corps program offered by Syracuse University.

Summer 2025 Awards

• Ava Lubkemann’27 (College of Engineering and Computer Science) – Revamped:

  

  Retrofit work on a bus that will become a mobile thrift store and donation hub to intercept and upcycle clothing and redistribute it directly into communities. Revamp’s scale-up plan is to bring these mobile stores to college campuses to help reduce waste, reimagine reuse and revamp systems to make sustainability even easier. The full commercial launch is planned this fall in Syracuse.

• Nathan Brekke ’26 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), G’27 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management) and Joshua Varkey ’26 (College of Engineering and Computer Science) – Phloat: Professional refinement of an inflatable smartphone attachment that keeps devices afloat if dropped in water. The initial idea originated at Invent@SU the summer of 2024. The company is now working with industrial designers and fabricators to create an advanced commercial-grade prototype for manufacturing, component sourcing, professional fabrication, assembly, functional and compliance testing.

Fall 2025 Awards

• Nicolas Courbage ’26 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management) – PapeX: Completion of final commercial-ready prototype development for a platform that eliminates paper receipts and streamlines checkout. Funding supports back-end development, acquisition of near-field communication hardware to simulate point of sale terminals and software licensing. Initial testing occurred in the spring 2025 with full deployment and a major roll-out planned for this fall.

Since its inception, the Orange Innovation Fund has helped many Syracuse University entrepreneurs bring ideas to life across industries, geographies and stages of venture development. The most recent projects demonstrate how Orange innovation extends well beyond campus, creating social, cultural and economic impact from Syracuse to communities around the globe.

The Orange Innovation Fund supports student research initiatives emerging from campus innovation programs. It helps move graduate and undergraduate student research or scholarly projects from ideation to proof of concept and commercialization, supporting the University’s goals of excellence in research, scholarship, student experiential learning and innovation.

Funding for the Orange Innovation program comes from a gift from Raj-Ann Rekhi Gill ’98, a member of the Syracuse University Board of Trustees who is an operating partner of Silicon Valley Quad, an angel investing syndicate.

“The Orange Innovation Fund showcases the remarkable creativity and determination of Syracuse University students, and the tangible impact their ideas can have in the world,” says David Seaman, dean of Libraries and University librarian. “Through this program, and in collaboration with partners across campus, we help student entrepreneurs take bold concepts from idea or lab bench to the marketplace, strengthening both their ventures and the University’s culture of innovation.”

Story by Linda Dickerson Hartsock

welcomed 34 graduates of the Class of 2025 as new members of the Founders Circle. They were selected in recognition of launching or leading ventures at the University while students, as well as contributing to building the Blackstone LaunchPad. The Founders Circle is a group of dedicated LaunchPad alumni entrepreneurs and innovation professionals, who plan to continue to be mentors and role models for current students. They exemplify the University’s spirit of entrepreneurship.

“This group of LaunchPad graduates were unbelievably driven and proactively looked for and leveraged every opportunity and connection to move the needle forward with their respective ventures,” says Traci Geisler, director of the LaunchPad. “By the time they graduated, some of these students had ventures in market generating revenue, some started their next venture, some raised thousands of dollars in capital and some have hired employees. We’re excited to see what’s next for them and how they will continue to change their communities for the better.”

• Adam Thomson, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
• Aditee Malviya G’25, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Adya Parida, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Aidan R Turner, School of Architecture
• Alie Savane, College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Anjaneya Padwal G’25, School of Information Studies
• Anthony Smith, Newhouse School
• Anthony Thomas, School of Information Studies
• Asha Breedlove, Newhouse School
• Bakary Darboe, Maxwell School
• Bryson Carter, Newhouse School
• Cesar Sassoon, School of Information Studies
• Dhwani Vora G’25, School of Information Studies
• Dominique Camp G’25, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
• Donovan Capdeville, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Elizabeth Paulin, College of Arts and Sciences
• Emily Santiago, School of Information Studies
• Fatim Batrou Cisse G’25, Falk College
• GraceĚý Conturso, School of Information Studies
• Julie Gross, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Kathryn Kelley, Newhouse School
• Lindy Truitt, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Megan Kane, Newhouse School
• Mian Hamid, School of Information Studies
• Nicholas Panetta, Martin J. Whitman School of Management
• Oliver Raycroft, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Paula Ibelings, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Skylar Takac, Whitman School and Newhouse School
• Stacy Collier, Newhouse School
• Sydney Moore G25, Whitman School
• Thomas O’Brien, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Tosin Alabi G’25, Whitman School
• Tyler Marma G’25, Newhouse School
• Waqar Hussain G’25, Whitman School

Syracuse University Libraries recognized its student employees with an awards celebration on April 23.Ěý The Libraries typically employs around 150 undergraduate and graduate students each year to contribute to the safety of Libraries’ spaces, the quality and repair of collections, and service support to patrons and student entrepreneurs. Supervisors nominate student employees who have demonstrated dedicated service over time and significant contributions that have made a lasting impact on the Libraries.

The Libraries recognize these students through the generous support of Kathy and Stanley Walters, the family of Patricia Kutner Strait and the many donors to the Libraries Dean’s Fund.

“As dean of the Libraries, I am continually reminded of the vital contributions our student employees make. Across Bird, Belfer, Carnegie, Law and the King+King Architecture Libraries, plus the SU Press, our students help safeguard our facilities, support the growth and care of our collections and uphold our commitment to exceptional service—both in person and online,” says David Seaman, dean of Libraries and University Librarian.

2025 student award recipients and their respective Libraries departments are:

ĚýKathy and Stanley Walters Student Employee Scholarship Awards

• Sophia Fiumano G’25 (School of Information Studies), Information Literacy
• Dyana Gales ’25 (Newhouse School of Public Communications), Access and Resource Sharing
• Mian Hamid ’25 (School of Information Studies), Facilities and Security
• Ainsley Hoemann ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Law Library
• Megan Noba ’25 (Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics), Facilities and Security
• Elizabeth Paulin ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Coral Silver G’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Special Collections Research Center
• Ella Whicker ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs), Special Collections Research Center

Patricia Kutner Strait Student Scholarship Awards

• Taylor Chen ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School), Facilities and Security
• Brian Chiao ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Facilities and Security
• Aditee Malviya G’25 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Rebecca Mejia-Garzaro ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Access and Resource Sharing
• Rumini Nguyen ’25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), Access and Resource Sharing
• Amira Salihovic ’25 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), Facilities and Security
• Kiley Smith G’25 (School of Information Studies), Access and Resource Sharing
• Jeremy Wollman G’25 (School of Information Studies), Special Collections Research Center

Dean’s Commendations Awards

• Anneisha Anorbaah ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Facilities and Security
• Nana Camara ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Facilities and Security
• Kayla Fyock G’26 (School of Information Studies), Access and Resource Sharing
• Gentry Huddleston G’26 (School of Information Studies), Access and Resource Sharing
• Emma MacDowell G’25 (School of Information Studies), Special Collections Research Center
• Anjaneya Padwal G’25 (School of Information Studies), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Telly Sow ’25 (School of Information Studies), Facilities and Security
• Emily Warfield G’25 (School of Information Studies), Information Literacy

Honorable Recognitions:

• Carolina Aguayo-Pla ’27 (School of Information Studies), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Celes Buffard ’27 (School of Information Studies), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Alexandro Frimpong ’25 (School of Information Studies), Facilities and Security
• Antonio Goncalves ’27 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Meagan Gregg G’26 (School of Information Studies), Access and Resource Sharing
• Lars Jendruschewitz ’27 (Newhouse School), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Renee Kurie ’26 (Newhouse School), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Alexander Schulz ’26 (School of Information Studies), Learning and Academic Engagement and Information Literacy
• Aidan Turner G’25 (School of Architecture), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Mary Visco G’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Special Collections Research Center

Three Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad (LaunchPad) student start-up teams won prizes in the finals of the , powered by Upstate Capital Association of NY, held in Albany on April 24.

Carolyn Fernandes G’25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), founder of Solace, won $2,000 as second prize winner in the Products and Hardware category. Solace designs fidget products into clothing for neurodivergent people.

Lindy Elizabeth Truitt ’25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) and Anjaneya Sanjay Padwal G’25 (School of Information Studies), founders of SipSafe+, also won a $2,000 second place prize in the Food and AgTech track. SipSafe+ uses a ring or stir stick that glows when drinks have been spiked with drugs.

Jack Venerus ’27 (School of Information Studies), founder of WingStat, won a $500 concept stage award. WingStat helps airplane brokers have reliable data about the aircraft they are buying or selling.

Syracuse University teams received the most awards of any single school in the statewide competition. The NYBPC attracts some of New York state’s best student entrepreneurs. The competition promotes entrepreneurial opportunities for college students from across the state who pitch their business plans to seasoned investors. They also receive the opportunity to engage with mentors and judges from the business community. The finals event connects students with business professionals, provides experiential learning opportunities through competitions, connects entrepreneurs with resources at the Entrepreneurship Expo, and awards up to $100,000 in cash prizes to help seed new ventures.

Carolyn Fernandes ’25 remembers walking out of an interview for a design internship that she ended up not getting. She wondered if fidgeting with her nails—a common, repetitive expression of her nervous energy every day—was misconstrued as a sign of not paying attention and a reason for her not getting the position.

Fernandes is part of the 20% of people worldwide who are neurodivergent and live with neurological differences like autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, bipolar disorder and social anxiety.

Stories like the one above motivated Fernandes and fellow students Lucas d’Oelsnitz ’25, Aphrodite Gioulekas ’25 and Aidan Turner ’25 to create , which aims to provide everyone, especially neurodivergent individuals, with comfortable garments that alleviate anxiety, increase confidence and reduce distractions by providing opportunities for fidgeting discreetly or openly.

“People like me need to fidget to cope and feel comfortable, so I started researching ways clothing could be made to help neurodiverse people like myself feel more comfortable,” Fernandes says.

After an inspiring conversation with Linda Dickerson Hartsock—the retired founder and executive director of —and after taking an class focused on inclusive product design, Turner came up with the idea for SOLACE “to meet the needs of a huge portion of the population that is currently underserved,” says Turner.

Going All-In to Solve an Important Social Issue

In October, Turner set about assembling what he proudly refers to as his team of Avengers to turn concept into reality. As part of the group, Turner, a fifth-year architecture student in the , recruited Fernandes, who is studying industrial design in the (VPA) and Spanish and environmental geoscience in the ; d’Oelsnitz, who is studying finance and entrepreneurship in the ; Gioulekas, a fashion design major in VPA; Maria-Camila Molina ’25, a fashion design major in VPA; Christine Ianniello ’25, a biology major in Arts and Sciences; Bobby Anzaldua ’25, an economics major in the ; Bella Tabak ’25, a magazine, news and digital journalism in the ; and FrancineĚýTongol ’24, a communications design major in VPA.

After sharing their personal experiences with uncomfortable clothing with each other, Turner pitched creating the neurodivergent clothing line. The project’s potential impact immediately resonated with d’Oelsnitz. At Whitman, d’Oelsnitz does a lot of idea pitching but always struggles to control his fidgeting. After one of his first pitches before his peers, d’Oelsnitz nearly passed out because, unable to rely on his usual coping mechanisms like playing with his rings, he felt anxious and light-headed.

“Realizing this is something I would wear motivated me to go all-in on this project because this is not just a clothing brand; it’s solving an important social issue,” says d’Oelsnitz, who has ADHD and bouts of anxiety.

Meeting the Unique Needs of Neurodiverse Individuals

The team set out to collect data on how SOLACE could better meet the needs of neurodiverse individuals, beginning with a wardrobe analysis and personal interviews to determine what types of clothing neurodivergent people liked or didn’t like—including textures and how a garment feels.

For the next step, Fernandes conducted a survey of 430 people ages 5 to 91 and discovered that 95% of respondents, including 97% of neurodiverse people, experienced discomfort from their clothing.

Incorporating the feedback and relying on sketches, Turner created a visual design brief that served as the blueprint for the first line of clothing, and Fernandes and others on the team used sewing machines to create prototypes from fabric samples collected from their closets and local thrift shops.

Currently there are four prototypes consisting of a matching sweatshirt or hoodie and sweatpants of assorted colors, fabrics and designs:

• Concealed fidgeting: A sweatsuit featuring textured cargo pockets with hidden interior fabrics for discreet sensory engagement
• Participatory fidgeting: A distressed, double-layered top and bottom set with tactile cutouts for visible fidgeting—turning a need into a confident form of self-expression
• Airy and light: A minimal-stitched, ultra-breathable sweat set built for those sensitive to seams and pressure, offering a loose and calming fit
• Clasp cuffs: A crewneck set with subtly exposed, adjustable elastic cuffs that let wearers control tightness for customized comfort

The clothes are tagless (product details and cleaning instructions are screen-printed on the outside), with many of the items providing its wearer a sense of grounded-ness thanks to the use of heavy fabric, while others rely on light and airy fabrics.

“Our product line serves to confirm to a lot of neurodivergent people that what they’re doing is okay and that they can be normal,” says Fernandes, who serves as SOLACE’s industrial designer. “And it’s not just neurodivergent people that want this clothing. If everyone is wearing it, then no one is going to feel like they’re sticking out like a sore thumb while they fidget.”

Transforming Vision into Reality

“We try to achieve a grounded feeling while providing warmth and the reassurance that you’re safe. We’re trying to find a sustainable way to produce items of clothing for everyone, no matter how your neurodiversity presents,” says d’Oelsnitz, SOLACE’s project coordinator.

The group has received more than $32,000 in startup investment money through entrepreneurial competitions held on campus and through grants, including theĚý2025 School of Information Studies’ Raymond von Dran Fund for Student Entrepreneurship iPrize competition. Earlier this semester, they held 10 events on campus for students to try on the clothes and provide feedback.

After running a marketing campaign, including the launch of a website and social media channels, they hope to start accepting pre-orders in late June, with items being distributed to customers by the end of the summer. Knowing how well-received their casual prototypes have been, Turner, Fernandes and d’Oelsnitz next want to expand into business casual clothing.

“I have a passion for designing fashion, for retail and for entrepreneurship, and I was introduced to the lack of solutions that exist for neurodivergent individuals,” says Turner, SOLACE’s team coordinator. “There are a lot of opportunities for us to give this overlooked community reassurance and warmth through our clothing, and I’m proud of what this wonderful team has accomplished so far.”