Business & Economy

LaunchPad Announces Orange Central Student Showcase Winners

Monday, November 18, 2024, By Cristina Hatem

Â鶹ƵµÀUniversity Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad (LaunchPad) hosted its 2024 Student Showcase as part of Orange Central Alumni Weekend Nov. 1 in Bird Library. Alumni were invited to award “‘Cuse Cash” to student founders showcasing their products, with top winners receiving prizes. In total, $3,500 in prizes were awarded.

  • First place ($1,500) was awarded to Celes Buffard ’27 (School of Information Studies), founder of Return 2 Reality, an entertainment company focusing on a podcast for entrepreneurs around navigating and getting past the hurdles and challenges throughout the entrepreneurial journey.
  • Second place ($1,000) was awarded to Olutosin (Tosin) Alabi G’25 (Whitman School of Management), founder of Diabetech, a med-tech venture for a diabetic foot ulcer wearable.
  • Two third-place prizes ($500 each) were awarded to Alie Savane ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), founder of Bete Kola, a health and wellness venture focusing on kola nut food and beverage products; and Mian Hamid ’26 (School of Information Studies), founder of Chai YEAH, a beverage venture offering authentic Indian chai tea to the U.S. market.