Next-Gen Entrepreneurs Awarded at Annual Pirates Pitch Startup Showcase

On Wednesday, April 3, Seton Hall University's Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship held its eagerly anticipated 14th annual Pirates Pitch Startup Competition. This event, which drew a wide audience of students, faculty, alumni and community members, both in person and online, highlighted the university's commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among its students.

The competition concluded with Nathaniel Bikhman, a junior majoring in finance, clinching first place and a prize of $8,000 with AtendiVPN. This product distinguishes itself in the crowded VPN market with its dedication to privacy and speed, utilizing dedicated, self-wiping servers that offer a more secure and efficient online experience. The service is designed to appeal to privacy-conscious individuals, particularly students and older adults vulnerable to cyber threats.

The second-place prize of $4,500 and the $500 Audience Choice Award were awarded to DocuForge, presented by Stillman student entrepreneurs Sid Kapoor, a sophomore majoring in finance and information technology management; Cameron Lloyd, a senior majoring in finance; and Jerry Ford, a junior majoring in marketing and entrepreneurship. DocuForge revolutionizes the creation of Product Requirement Documents (PRDs) with an AI-powered platform that simplifies the translation of ideas into actionable development plans. This tool is invaluable for bridging communication between non-technical founders and software developers, and it is poised to become an essential resource for startups and independent developers.

Third place, with a prize of $3,000, went to Katalyst, developed by Stillman seniors Michelle Lew, majoring in management, and Miabella Espaillat, majoring in marketing. Katalyst offers a streamlined platform for finding internships and entry-level jobs, tailored specifically for recent graduates and upper-class students. It provides comprehensive tools such as resume assistance, internship ratings and event announcements, making it much more than a job search engine — it's a "community hub for sharing real internship experiences and opportunities."

The event was initiated with welcoming remarks by Joyce Strawser, the dean of the Stillman School of Business, and hosted by members of the Entrepreneurship Club. Judges for the competition included notable alumni such as Bryan Jakovcic '09, Gabino Roche '98, Shannon D.M. Morris '92/M.A. '94, and Carina Castagna '21/M.P.A. '22, who evaluated the pitches based on innovation, market potential and feasibility.

Additionally, the other finalists who showcased their startups were:

• NatureFill: A team led by Maria Saitta, Bryce Miller, Jackson Vaughn, Morgan Frye and Nalani Rios, focusing on sustainable packaging solutions.
• Mirjam: Founded by Annabelle Raukete and Joseph Barrood, offering a unique AI platform for musicians to connect and collaborate.
• Refresh Me: Developed by Taylor Patnode, Madeline Matheny, Madeline Bachand and Walker Parra, which introduced a novel approach to personal wellness and hydration.

Along with cash prizes, finalists are eligible to receive pro bono legal advice from Santomassimo Davis LLP/Outside General Counsel Solutions and opportunities to participate in the Pirates LaunchPad summer accelerator program, which provides additional seed funding and mentorship to help further develop their business models.

Susan Scherreik, director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, praised the participants: "Tonight's showcase was a vivid display of the innovative spirit and business acumen of our students. Each project presented not only solves current market needs but does so with a creative and impactful approach that promises substantial future growth."

"This competition is a cornerstone of our commitment to fostering student entrepreneurs, helping them transform their innovative ideas into reality," she added.

Categories: Business