C.R.E.A.T.E. Business Idea Competition finalists. From left to right: Noah Cozzolino ’28, Brooke Mollenkopf ’27, Rachel Muller ’29, Annalia Santiago ’26, Maria Perez M.S. ’28, Maxwell Cohen ’26, M.S. ’28 and Chris Jensen ’26, M.S. ’28. Not pictured: Dakota Shanley ’29 and Owen Wyatt ’28. Photo courtesy of Hannah Vazquez
After a month of mentoring, the 20 semifinalists in the annual C.R.E.A.T.E. Business Idea Competition made their pitch to judges on Oct. 23 at the John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center. With only eight teams advancing to the finals Nov. 12, those judges had tough decisions to make.
Three of the judges were pitching pros: Isabella Grinter M.S. ’26 won first place last year; Branden Weber ’21, M.S. ’22 won in 2022; and Maximus Mattuchio ’26 has won $15,000 at pitch competitions. Grinter and Mattuchio are both in UTampa’s business incubator program. Also judging was Joakim Kristensen ’20, M.S. ’22, M.S. ’25. All are members of the Young Entrepreneurs Alumni Board.
Grinter was looking for memorable presenters who could answer key questions. “To be memorable, you need to convey your passion and tell your story,” Grinter said. “You also need to keep it simple and make sure I don’t have to ask any basic questions about your product.”
In this semifinal round, participants had 3 minutes and 30 seconds, along with a slide presentation, to win over judges. Rachel Muller ’29 and Dakota Shanley ’29 brought samples of their fitness drink, Fuel Shot, for judges. Owen Wyatt ’28 embodied his Florida Man sunscreen brand by wearing a floral shirt and shorts with rubber duckies on them.
Sultan Elajou ’27 was there with his business partner, Matthew Hogan ’27, pitching a medicine container and tracker. He praised the pitching boot camp available to all 60 participants who participated in the first round of the competition, whether or not they advanced.
“It was very welcoming. You learn a lot about yourself and how to actually run a business,” he said. “Even if we don’t move ahead, we will continue working on our pitches. It’s not a setback; it’s a learning experience.”
Business Ideas that Advanced to the Finals on Nov. 12:
Aureall (moisturizer), Noah Cozzolino ’28
Barkington (bandanas for dogs), Maria Perez M.S. ’28
Brewfy (dissolving coffee tablets), Chris Jensen ’26, M.S. ’28
Florida Man (sun protection for men), Owen Wyatt '28
Fuel Shot (fitness drink), Rachel Muller '29 and Dakota Shanley '29
Loretta Jane (personalized clothing), Brooke Mollenkopf ’27
Turn Left (pen kit for left-handed people), Annalia Santiago ’26
Vellaro (cigar smoke protection for clothing), Maxwell Cohen ’26, M.S. ’28
