ROI Pitch competition awards $10,000 in prize money to student entrepreneurs

The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship held a ROI Pitch competition where students came together to network and pitch their businesses to a panel of Texas State University alumni and a Shark Tank alum, judges.

The event, held on Sept. 27, was first launched in February by Bruce Kalmick. Students received coaching and preparation towards growing their business.

Over several months the students worked hard to grow with mentorship and real-world experience leading up to competition day.

Contestants are given seven and a half minutes to explain their pitch and their return on investment, ROI. There was also a question and answer portion for the panel of judges and participants.

Six individuals came together as a panel to decide on the results. CEO of Lynch Family Companies Drew Lynch, owner of SME Accounting Michael Williams, CPA, Director of Clinical Operations Kendall Burleson, and chief storyteller of Penny Strategies Randy Haran were in attendance. 

Haran is also working alongside student entrepreneurs with the startup of the Founder’s Table.

Speaker, trainer, podcast host, and executive vice chair of the Texas Association of Mexican-American Entrepreneurs J.R. Gonzales was on the panel alongside entrepreneur and Shark Tank contestant Max Feber.

The ROI pitch had multiple participants including a hair braiding business, The Twin Braiding Co., by Omotayo Falola and Omotola Falola. Business owner Vikram Siddotam of Repentful Soul, Chloe Applewhite of River Hoss Realty, and Manny Delgado of Ceilo Beverages also participated in the event.

Israel “Izzy” Trujillo won the first place prize of $6,500 for his business EZ-T Vintage. Trujillo sells upscale online vintage clothing.

In second place, NaJaiyah Virgil won $2,000 for her hair high-end experience braiding business, Hair Supremacist.

Luxury bag designers Kreestyn Okorodudu and Lucrecia Olususi won the third place prize of $1,500. Their business, Yaz Descent, is luxury bags that promote women and mental health.

The total $10,000 prize pool was brought together by various generous contributors. Bruce Kalmick contributed $5,000, Nina Vaca and the CIE each contributed $2,000, and the McCoy College of Business contributed $1,000.

For more information about the CIE events and activities, check out our upcoming events.

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About the CIE:

“Where underestimated talent becomes unstoppable.”

The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship follows a mission of providing hands-on experiences to turn into something meaningful and impactful. The CIE supports “underestimated people and early-stage ideas with strategy, grit, and belief.”

The vision of the CIE is to make Texas State University “a place where entrepreneurship and innovation are real and accessible to anyone with the courage to create.” The CIE provides opportunities for students, faculty, alumni, and the community to turn ideas into lasting ventures.

Media Contacts:

To become involved in the CIE as a student, faculty or staff, alumni, or community member, connect with the CIE team:

Quinn Valentine, Director for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, McCoy College of Business, at quinn.valentine@txstate.edu 

Kendall Perkinson, CIE Program Coordinator

Email: kendallperkinson@txstate.edu