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Brook T. Smith Launchpad

College Competitions

Over the past decade, the most progressive colleges have initiated internal business pitch competitions to foster an entrepreneurial mindset amongst their students. Many of the teams have ended up being cross-disciplinary which has been an added bonus. The winner of each of these competitions is awarded an automatic berth in Clemson’s grand finale: The Launchpad Liftoff Business Pitch Competition. More information is available at each College’s respective website and on the Launchpad’s live calendar.

Pitch_Competitions

College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences - Spark Challenge

Spark Challenge Information

2024

  • 1st Place - NephroGuard
    • Kidney injury diagnostic device
  • 2nd Place - AT-AT
    • Staircase accessible walking aid
  • 3rd Place - Bloom Speculum
    • Four blade LEEP speculum

2023

  • 1st Place - The Better Board
    • The Better Board is a emergency transport backboard that uses moveable restraints and size expanding panels to allow for patients from newborn to 6'6" tall and 450 lbs to be restrained safely. 
  • 2nd Place - Flydration
    • Flydration provides Boeing airplanes with a “smart” potable water supply that contains an easily removable and long-lasting large particle filter and a small particle filter.
  • 3rd Place - SeaTree
    • A portable beach organizer designed to keep sand off your belongings.

2022

  • 1st Place - CatheSure
    • A device that detects hydrocephalus shunt malfunctions in children
  • 2nd Place - HUMCAT
    • Technology that autonomously disinfect commercial aircraft cabins
  • 3rd Place - Apply-Away
    • An online job application manager

2021

  • 1st Place - Natures Gift
    • A reusable tampon applicator
  • 2nd Place - Third Bar: Victuals
  • 3rd Place - NewsChord

2019

  • 1st Place - Freedom Fence
    • Pet containment system that creates a completely custom boundary
  • 2nd Place - Mailroom
    • Way to protect you email by sending it to local small business to hold for you
  • 3rd Place - Telemetry
    • Chatbot that creates phone-based chat backs to interact with customers

College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences – Cultivate.CAFLS

Cultivate.CAFLS Information

2024

  • 1st Place - Checkers Gluten-Free Baking Co.
    • Gluten-free local bakery
  • 2nd Place - Swirly Suds
    • Soap in a grippable container to avoid falls in the shower
  • 3rd Place - Pocketfuel

2023

  • 1st Place - Hinson Family Farms
    • Bridging the gap between agriculture and education
  • 2nd Place - Voney
    • A plant-based alternative to honey
  • 3rd Place - Upgrain
    • Sustainable meal bar made from upcycled barley

2022

  • 1st Place - Blooms and Buds (Oswego Flowers)
    • Sustainable flowers to attract young buyers
  • 2nd Place - Biopack Kudzu Plastic
    • Using an invasive weed to create sustainable packaging
  • 3rd Place - Kerby’s Kritters
    • A pet boarding, grooming, and daycare service

2021

  • 1st Place - Roughstock Scientific
    • Bull-riding helmets

2020

  • 1st Place - Antlers and Anglers
    • Airbnb type arrangements for hunting and fishing experiences

2019

  • 1st Place - FarmieZ
    • Edutainment toy that teaches and sparks interest in kids about agriculture

College of Science - Catalyst

Catalyst Competition Information

2024

  • 1st Place - REACH (Radiograph Extension Arm Centering Help)
  • 2nd Place - H2glO
  • 3rd Place - FRESH (Food Research Ensuring Safe Handling) Pack
  • 4th Place - AdipoCM Biologics

2023

  • 1st Place - Octasight Automotive Safety System
    • Wireless hub-based sensors for cars that alerts drivers of obstacles
  • 2nd Place - Safe Straws
    • Uses specific materials to alert presence of date rape drugs in drinks
  • 3rd Place - Diaband
    • A product that enhances wound healing in diabetics

2022

  • 1st Place - geneTunes
    • Turns genetic variations into unique art and music
  • 2nd Place - Fentanyl test strips
    • Test strips that would detect the presence of deadly opioids in other substances
  • 3rd Place - Cheap
    • Software program that predicts failure of viscoelastic material

Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business – Clemson Powers Business Pitch Competition

Powers Pitch Competition Information

2024

  • 1st place - Filter Fox
  • 2nd place - Array Athletic
  • 3rd place - Tiny Titan Systems
  • 4th place - Food Truck Hub
  • 5th place - Overlap 

2023

  • 1st Place - Girls Love Lace
    • Creation and facilitation of wigs, hair pieces and other solutions to help people in the hair loss community
  • 2nd Place – Dropship NIL
    • A company that dropships athletic products directly form the manufacturer to consumer.
  • 3rd Place - BakPak Buddy
    • A stuffed animal with the mission of promoting awareness of foster care.