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Brook T. Smith Launchpad

AI Pitch Competition

The Launchpad’s Annual AI Pitch Competition provides an opportunity for up to 10 Clemson Student finalist teams to pitch their startup companies to an esteemed panel of Clemson-affiliated judges with expertise in the field of AI.

 
  • Who: Current Undergraduate or Graduate Students and Alumni less than 3 years out.
  • What: 5-minute PowerPoint pitch followed by 4 minutes of Q&A
  • When: April 24, 2026 from 2:00-4:00 pm
    Where: The Brook T. Smith Launchpad, 390 College Avenue, Clemson, SC 29631
  • Format: In person for locals within 100 miles. Zoom for those 100+ miles away.
  • Why: To gain pitching experience, be exposed to industry experts & investors, and compete for substantial startup funding (up to $10,000 prize pool).
  • Application Deadline: 11:59 pm on Sunday April 19, 2026
  • Notification of Acceptance: 5:00 pm on Monday April 20, 2026
  • PowerPoint Submission Due: 12:00 noon on Wednesday April 22, 2026
 
Please email launchpad@clemson.edu if you have any questions. 
 
 
Clemson AI Competition Event
Glowing AI text inside a neon circular interface on a futuristic circuit-board background.

Results of the 2026 Event

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Clemson AI Pitch Competition!

1st Place: Drive AI

Drive AI delivers custom AI and automation solutions tailored to each business, typically as web apps, full-stack applications, or workflow automations. We map processes, build and deploy solutions, train teams, and continuously optimize based on feedback. Unlike traditional providers, we partner with clients to ensure long-term AI adoption and sustained value.

DriveAI Team Members

Reid Turner & Danika Pfleghardt

Award recipient and judges holding oversized checks beneath a large welcome banner with U.S. and Clemson flags beside them.

 

2nd Place: Crystal XG

We founded Crystal-XG to fundamentally change how crystalline materials are made. At Crystal-XG, we leverage the use of machine learning, specifically using gradient boost models (XGBoost), to predict the optimal reaction conditions to crystallize our client’s desired molecules. We compiled a database of over 10,000 unique crystallographic experiments, recording details such as chemical components, synthetic procedure, and other relevant parameters, creating the most extensive and largest collection of crystallization conditions in the entire world. Through the successful crystallization of various inorganic macromolecules, we verified our machine learning model and proved its success.

Crystal XG Team Member

Maggie Guerra Ayala standing in for winner Lukas Garcia

Award recipient and judges holding oversized checks beneath a large welcome banner with U.S. and Clemson flags beside them.

 

3rd Place: PetroSeq 

PetroSeq enhances existing exploration workflows by incorporating a biological signal that traditional methods, such as ground-penetrating radar, often miss. These methods have improved over time but fail to capture the microbial indicators linked to hydrocarbon presence, a key reason why well success rates have stagnated. By genetically sequencing soil in target areas, PetroSeq generates drill maps that reveal microbial signals predictive of hydrocarbons, leveraging advanced bioinformatics, AI, and high-performance computing to deliver actionable insights.

PetroSeq Team Member

Scott Burkholz

Award recipient and judges holding oversized checks beneath a large welcome banner with U.S. and Clemson flags beside them.

 

4th Place (Tie): CaseHug

CaseHug simplifies legal intake with one link—fifteen minutes from the client’s phone, no app or account required. Clients answer guided questions and upload documents, while AI automatically classifies files and ensures jurisdiction-specific requirements are met. The platform integrates with Clio, Smokeball, MyCase, and Lawmatics, enhancing existing firm workflows without replacing them.

Case Hug Team Member

Jackson Wisecarver

Award recipient and judges holding oversized checks beneath a large welcome banner with U.S. and Clemson flags beside them.

 

4th Place (Tie): MyNonna

MyNonna is an AI platform that digitizes recipes and leads the user through them with a customized voice activated guide and stores them to be passed down for generations. This allows users to have a handsfree, interactive experience that preserves the culinary voice of their loved one.

MyNonna Team Members

Rose Miglionico

Award recipient and judges holding oversized checks beneath a large welcome banner with U.S. and Clemson flags beside them.