Business & Economy

LaunchPad Announces Orange Central Student Showcase Winners

Monday, November 18, 2024, By Cristina Hatem

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ 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.