Bucknell’s annual BizPitch competition, hosted by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), returned to the Elaine Langone Center’s Terrace Room on Monday, April 7 with six finalist teams vying for seed funding and the chance to turn their ideas into impactful businesses. The event will be broadcast on WVIA’s public television on Monday, April 14, reaching 22 counties across Pennsylvania. It highlighted student entrepreneurs who are eager to solve real-world problems through creativity, technology and purpose.
This year’s first-place prize of $6,000 went to Elizabeth Malley ’26, a biomedical engineering major, for ThermaIV, a self-heating, power-free IV bag designed to prevent hypothermia and improve patient survival rates in trauma situations. Her innovation, built for use by first responders, the military and underserved healthcare settings, drew strong praise for its life-saving potential and accessibility.
“I’m so excited and grateful to bring ThermaIV to life,” said Malley after the competition. “I’m excited to make a difference in the emergency medicine field and truly make a difference saving lives in traumatic instances.”
The panel of judges for the 2025 BizPitch Competition brought a wealth of experience and expertise from diverse industries. Meghan Beck, founder of Innovation Labs and director of 1337 Rentals Property Management, has a background in political science and served as the county commissioner for Northumberland County.
Todd Walrath, CEO and founder of ShiftMed, is an award-winning entrepreneur recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year.
With a strong track record in venture capital and investment, the third judge, Yoshi Maisami, is known for integrating innovative AI solutions to enhance investment processes. His product design portfolio includes Amazon and Bank of America, and he previously judged the BizPitch competition in 2012.
These judges evaluated each pitch based on impact, market understanding, innovation, feasibility and storytelling.
“Competitions like BizPitch create excitement about the concept of entrepreneurship,” said Beck. “Just because your first idea didn’t work, that’s just a prototype. Revisit it, rebuild it and try again.”
Walrath emphasized the importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship. “Most investors are betting on the jockey, not the horse,” he explained. “This process is more important now than the actual idea itself.”
Maisami added, “BizPitch gives students a chance to put everything they’ve learned in the classroom to work in a creative, fun way. Maybe they’ll launch the next big business, and we’ll all hear about it.”
The second-place prize of $3,500 was awarded to Lyric Abdul-Rasheed ’26, a chemical engineering major, for Lyric’s Lip Company, which creates handcrafted, SPF-infused lip care products. Abdul-Rasheed’s products aim to protect lips from sun damage while promoting confidence and health, driven by a personal connection to her mother’s dermatological needs.
“I want to keep people safe while making a meaningful impact on their wellness,” said Abdul-Rasheed, whose commitment to sustainability and science is embedded in the company’s mission.
Third place, with a prize of $2,500, went to finance majors Zach Yardley ’25 and Ben Suit ’27 for Forevergreen, an app that helps individuals offset their carbon footprint and join a broader climate action community. The app’s user-friendly interface and innovative approach have already garnered traction, with 500 downloads since launching on March 24.
The Fan Favorite award of $1,846, provided by Bucknell’s Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, went to Alex Marx ’25, a psychology major, for Campus IQ. This company is a market research platform that helps local businesses better understand college student consumers through surveys and feedback. In return, students receive perks and discounts. “Being part of BizPitch was something I wanted to do since I first stepped on Bucknell’s campus,” said Marx. “This is an example of me putting myself out there and seeing what happens.”
Other finalists included Chiron, an AI-powered educational tool designed by Chang Min Bark ’26, Hung Ngo ’26 and Duy Le ’27, which aims to streamline learning and enhance productivity in the classroom. Meanwhile, Bison Match, a social networking app created by Farhaj Shahid ’26, seeks to foster meaningful connections and combat loneliness on college campuses.
Each finalist team received $1,500 in startup funding. Semifinalists Charlie Zukauskas ’27, Ethan Knight ’28 (with AiDvocate) and Kenneth “KJ” Scott ’26 (with Cautious Steppas) were awarded $1,000 each.
Steve Stumbris, Director of the SBDC and the event’s MC, reflected on the significance of the competition: “For [these students], BizPitch is a step, it’s not the finish line. It’s where they hope their products take root and grow.”
As BizPitch continues to grow as a Bucknell tradition, it reinforces a key message: the next generation of changemakers is already hard at work— and they’re just getting started.
