Aggie PITCH rewards McFerrin Cup and over $38,000

The McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship hosted its fifth annual Aggie PITCH on Wednesday evening, awarding more than $38,000 to Aggie-led startups. Open to current and former students, Aggie PITCH is the only university-wide business plan presentation competition at Texas A&M and aims to identify the best Aggie business presentations across all sectors and industries.

For the 2023 event, a total of 21 startups were selected to compete for the coveted McFerrin Cup and a share of over $35,000 in prize money, although a statistical tie led to the awarding of Another $3,500. Divided into three divisions – two separate Full Pitch competitions for current and former students, and an Elevator Pitch competition, open to both – the event gives startup founders the opportunity to pitch their companies in a fast-paced, energetic format to a panel. from anonymous judges and an audience of students, professionals, mentors, potential investors and other Aggie entrepreneurs.

In the Full Pitch divisions, 11 teams each had 10 minutes for their pitch, while the Elevator Pitch competitors had one minute. The anonymous jury selected the winners of the Full Pitch divisions, and members of the public were invited to vote in the Elevator Pitch division.

2023 Aggie PITCH Winners

Full Field Division | Current students
1^st Place ($7,500): Club Girl – Katie Calderon ’25
2^sd Place ($5,000): Cosnetix – Greyson Newton ’21, Diana Salha ’25 and Cameron Walker ’22
3^rd TIE Place ($3,500): AggieBus – Arvind Balaji ’24, Anish Karthik ’25 and Kirthivel Ramesh ’24
3^rd TIE Place ($3,500): Redeemr – David Greek ’24 and Carl White ’24

Full Field Division | Old students
1^st Location ($7,500): Endpoint Security Inc. – Page Heller ’78
2^sd Place ($5,000): Xplosion Technology Corporation – Jaylen James ’22
3^rd Location ($3,500 – sponsored by LiquidAgents Healthcare): Empifany – Christopher Taylor ’07

Division Elevator Pitch (sponsored by IndigoStone Advisors)
1^st Place ($1,500): Surgeon Support – Chase Lano ’25
2^sd Place ($1,000): EValuate Charging Software – Cassie McQuinn ’21
3^rd Place ($750): HemoVas Biosystems – Jason Eades ’26

First place winner Club Girl uses a patent-pending adjustable weight and rod system, combined with a self-adjusting app, to give women what founder Katie Calderon ’25 says it’s a perfectly fitting putter that remains compliant with USGA regulations. She said she plans to put her earnings directly into prototyping and testing.

“It means a lot to the world,” she said of the win, “not only for me and my business, but it allows us to go further and do everything I wanted to do.” This has been my dream since I was a child.

Calderon and Club Girl also won second place and $2,000 at the McFerrin Center’s 2022 event. Raymond Ideas Challenge.

Full Pitch Division Alumnus Endpoint Security Inc. secures wireless communications through technology that provides security for fixed wireless devices in industrial, commercial, and home environments.

“It’s a dream come true,” said founder Page Heller ’78. “I have been working as a serial entrepreneur since I graduated from Texas A&M and even worked for Texas A&M before striking out on my own again. So being able to benefit from this program and benefit from an award like this is very meaningful to me.

Heller said Aggie PITCH’s winnings will take them halfway toward obtaining third-party validation testing for the product. “It’s the perfect time for us,” he noted.

“Aggie PITCH remains a standout in the McFerrin Center’s programming,” said Blake Petty ’98, executive director of the McFerrin Center. “Since 2018, it has continued to grow and gain notoriety among current and former students in the startup world. Every year, we look forward to seeing what innovative new businesses these Aggie entrepreneurs create and grow. Without a doubt, Aggie PITCH is a proven step on the path to success for any Aggie-led startup looking to take it to the next level.

This year’s Aggie PITCH finalist companies represent a variety of industries, including agriculture, information technology, consumer products and energy technology, among others, and are now automatically admitted into a group exclusive panel of startup founders eligible to represent Texas A&M University nationally. and global entrepreneurial competitions.

A list of past Aggie PITCH winners can be found at aggipitch.com.