Fifteen college entrepreneurs set to face off in WooTank startup pitch competition
Photo | Eric Casey
Worcester Bravehearts General Manager Dave Peterson served as MC for the first ever WooTank Intercollegiate Showdown in 2024. This year's WooTank will take place as part of the new StartUp Week Worcester.
Students from four Central Massachusetts colleges are set to compete in the second annual WooTank Intercollegiate Showdown on Tuesday, with financial investments and mentorship from some of the region’s top business minds on the line.
Entrepreneurs from Worcester’s College of the Holy Cross, Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Nichols College in Dudley are set to compete in the competition inspired by the hit ABC television show “Shark Tank.” Following up last year’s inaugural event, this year’s competition is being held as part of the first-ever StartUp Week Worcester.
This year’s competition will begin at 5 p.m and will be held at Off The Rails restaurant and bar in Downtown Worcester.
This year’s sharks will be Stephanie Ramey, co-founder of Auxilium Worcester and vice president at Rucker Investments, Evan Cox, an investor with The Wire Group, and Kevin Anderson, a tech entrepreneur who founded the networking event firm VentureMeets.
The eight contestants representing the four colleges are:
- Calvin Lambert (WPI): Founder of DryPro Equipment, a startup developing drying equipment to help eliminate bacteria and mold from sporting equipment
- Russell Hertel and Luis Alzamora (WPI): Founders of QuickEst, a system helping landscapers offer instant and accurate quotes for potential projects.
- Sydnee Ambrosino (Holy Cross): Founder of Sweet Syds, a home bakery producing custom cakes, cupcakes, and other sweets.
- Caroline Hanson, Maura Switzer, Grace Donahue, Sarah O’Sullivan, Lauren Halverson, Sarah Stokes, and Meggan Fourie (Holy Cross): Founders of GetStyled, an AI-powered personal stylist assisting users in making outfit choices and buying sustainable clothing.
- William Brothers (Clark University): Founder of No Hour Vintage, a brand and design studio producing clothing from upcycled materials.
- Noah Katz (Clark University): Founder of The Umpire Channel, a media platform offering a look inside the world of sports officiating, with 250,000 followers and 200 million views across social media platforms.
- Mackenzie Masters (Nichols College): A student who has inherited SafetyFit, Inc., a family business and nationwide provider of hospital respirator fit testing services.
- Giovanni Cucco (Nichols College): Founder of ClosetMate, a fashion tech app allowing users to swipe through potential outfits and try them on virtually using AI.
The event will once again be hosted by Dave Peterson, the general manager of the Worcester Bravehearts Futures Collegiate Baseball League team.
Last year’s showdown saw a total of $14,500 awarded to six of the eight competitors.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to include more information on the competitors.
Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.
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