On April 11, in the Hall of Presidents, Colgate University hosted its annual TIA Entrepreneur Showcase presented by the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
“The event is a celebration of our students’ creativity, problem-solving, resilience, and passion. All of the teams at the event have worked for months to bring their ideas to reality, with twists and turns and ups and downs along the way. Seeing that all come together at the showcase is inspiring,” said Carolyn Strobel-Larsen, director, entrepreneurship and innovation.
A panel of judges heard pitches from four ventures competing for grant funds to support their next steps. The panel was moderated by Gus Coldebella ’91, chief legal officer of Castle Island Ventures, and composed of individuals with a demonstrated passion for startups: Lila Sullivan ’17, the president and co-founder of Flourish Plant; Kevin Heffernan ’90, P’27, writer, actor, director, and producer; Sara Brooks, co-founder and adviser at Goldilocks; and Viraj Puri ’03, co-founder and CEO of Gotham Greens — winner of the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year Award presented by the Alumni Council and the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
The showcase is the culminating event for the TIA Incubator, a yearlong program that provides aspiring entrepreneurs with mentorship, workshops, and funding. Pitch competition teams were selected through a competitive process and spent more than two months preparing for the event under the guidance of Weiner Family Entrepreneur in Residence Jen Martin and a group of alumni mentors.
- Hatch Pay, founded by Fletcher Goodell ’26 and Anders Larson: a digital wallet that proactively selects the best card for tap transactions. Team member Jack Tapper also participated in the showcase.
- EchoScape, founded by Mike Ahearn Wilcox: immersive experiences through therapeutic sound and tech innovations
- MajiSafi Solutions, founded by Agnes Ndanu ’28: sustainable wells that address water scarcity in rural Africa
- PLNT, founded by Porter Comstock ’26: plant nursery industry modernization through AI and robotics
At the end of the day, Comstock’s PLNT received the $10,000 first prize, and the remaining ventures each earned $3,000. Reflecting on his experience in TIA over the past four years, Comstock said, “I am extremely thankful for the alumni for bringing their experience and expertise to mentorship through TIA’s program.”
“The TIA showcase means a lot for me and my venture,” said Ndanu. “It is a golden opportunity to work on this vision to turn it into reality. From access to funding and even guidance on how to improve my venture as it grows, the TIA showcase was not only a moment of growth but also an opportunity to get insights, advice, or even encouragement from all these great people.”
The ventures also had the opportunity to win money through audience voting. MajiSafi Solutions captured the $2,500 Chicory Innovation Award for the most groundbreaking and original innovation. PLNT won the $1,000 PAR Technology Award for the most effective at removing friction in the industry. Hatch Pay took home the $1,000 nvp capital Award for the most solid business model and immediate market potential. EchoScape received The People’s Choice Award for the must-have solution that people most want to buy right now, winning $1,000.
After the pitch competition, the event shifted to a venture showcase and investment game. This portion featured 30 ventures in the TIA Incubator displaying their products and services. Attendees received “Iggies” that they could “invest” in their favorite ventures.
As a result of the investment game, a total of $10,000 in grant funding was distributed across all participating ventures from the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation — made possible by gifts from generous alumni, parents, and friends.