Our 9 Incredible Finalists
PulsePal – Ajsel Budlla
Raksha – Arrush Ahuja
MOTUWA – Ntyam Minko
Trovador – Marta Bernardino
Vindex – Kamila Zhandildayeva
Ecocents – Gabriel Oliveira
AquaGuard – Saida Sandibekova
Hawkeye App – Serena Lin
AgriMo – Alisher Niyaz Orynbay
Are you an entrepreneur?
Do you have an idea?
Are you ready to change the world?
We want to invest in your future.
We want to empower you.
Get Updates for 2025
Missed this year? Want info for next year? We will let you know about the 2025 competition.
3 Minute Pitch Video
Your video must be 3 minutes or less, anything over will be cut from the video and not considered. Your company or business idea will be judged on the following aspects.
Requirements
- The problem should be well-articulated, demonstrating a deep understanding of a significant and specific market need.
- The solution should be practical, feasible, and innovative, directly addressing the identified problem in a unique way.
- The value proposition should clearly communicate unique benefits and differentiate the solution from competitors.
Requirements
- There should be detailed market analysis with evidence supporting the size, growth trends, and opportunity in the market.
- The revenue model should outline how the business will generate sustainable income, with clear and realistic financial projections.
- There should be a thorough analysis of key competitors, with clear explanations of the business's unique selling points and competitive advantages.
Requirements
- There should be a clear plan for scaling the business, including strategies for market expansion, resource allocation, and scaling operations effectively.
- The operational plan should outline necessary resources, technology, and detailed steps for successful implementation.
- The financial plan should be comprehensive, with realistic financial projections, detailed cost estimates, and potential revenue streams.
Submissions will be judged out of a score of 30 total – up to 3 points for each criteria with an additional 3 points for presentation.
Adam Choe
Tundra Ventures
Adam Choe has experience in corporate, academic, and startup settings, with a focus on healthcare, medical devices, and venture capital.
Adam is a 2x former academic research fellow from the University of Minnesota, holds 5 patents and bootstrapped his own digital health startup for five years.
He’s hands-on with commercialization and market strategy, helping early-stage companies grow. Adam also runs a podcast called “The Founder's Cut,” where he talks to founders about their journeys. Adam serves on two non-profit boards, Children's Cancer Research Fund and Glen Nelson Center.
Adie Akuffo-Afful
BGV
Adie Akuffo-Afful is an experienced operator within for-profit and non-profit startup settings, focusins on impact, b2b tools, marketplace and defense tech.
Adie is the current Snr. Strategic Partnerships Manager at BGV (Black Girl Ventures), and a Partner at Ruminate Studios an early stage dev. studio focused on the development of economic mobility innovations for the new economy. He has in-depth awareness of what it takes to grow a company to the 10's of millions and is an advocate for early-stage startups.
Susan Liao
Startups for All
Susan Liao (she/her) has a mission to make the future of foundership inclusive and accessible to all. She is an experienced equity-centered startup advisor, coach and facilitator who works at the intersection of digital innovation, social entrepreneurship, non-profit impact strategy, and for-profit business strategy. In her 20+ years in tech, Susan has led product in a variety of industries and tech platforms, including AI & machine learning, cybersecurity, edTech, e-commerce and payments, healthcare, and global law enforcement.
Susan has coached over 60 first-time founders through her ventures, Startups for All and Leaders Like Us LLC, which serve to help purpose-driven founders, knowledge workers, and social entrepreneurs from underrepresented populations clarify their NorthStar purpose and achieve measurable social change. Susan grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and holds a BSE in Computer Science from Princeton University. She currently resides in Portland, Oregon, with her two dog sport pups, Lila and Momo.
Hendrik Halbe
Unknown Group
Hendrik Halbe is a big believer in entrepreneurship as a driver of positive change. He founded the Unknown Group, a company on a mission to fuel founders that fix the future by building the biggest impact campus in Europe. A unique part of Unknown Campus is Unknown University, an accredited institution offering bachelor's and master's degrees, fully focused on entrepreneurship.
Hendrik Halbe is a big believer in entrepreneurship as a driver of positive change. He founded the Unknown Group, a company on a mission to fuel founders that fix the future by building the biggest impact campus in Europe. A unique part of Unknown Campus is Unknown University, an accredited institution offering bachelor's and master's degrees, fully focused on entrepreneurship.
Next to building his own ventures, Hendrik has invested in over 50 startups.
