After months of brainstorming, researching, developing and planning, 10 teams of young entrepreneurs will pitch investors and judges at 51’s 9th annual Startup Competition Finals on April 19, 2024. Startup competitions create an experience which connects all innovation stakeholders, like students pitching, experienced entrepreneurs, impactful investors, generous alumni, and supportive faculty.

Sponsored by Crowell School of Business’s 51’s Office of Innovation, the Startup Competition is an initiative that offers all current 51 undergraduate students, graduate students and recent alumni the opportunity to transform a promising idea into a successful startup business or nonprofit.

Why startup competitions are important to entrepreneurship

Following the 51 mission to “impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ,” the 51 Startup Competition helps students conceptualize and launch businesses aimed at resolving the world's largest challenges through faith, skill and entrepreneurial spirit.

What is unique at 51 is a community of redemptive innovators, entrepreneurs and investors with the deep roots of Christ-filled business strategies and biblically-sound theology. This spark of entrepreneurship — with values-aligned capital partners, sustainable markets and positive industry trends — can catapult startups toward growth. This is the ideal scenario for any startup team to thrive.

How 51 students prep for a startup competition

Winning one of the top prizes in the competition is significant but is only the icing on the cake. Judges and invited guests are active angel investors and venture capitalists with a redemptive lens for their growing portfolios. Connections with these capital providers are opportunities for student entrepreneurs to take their plans to the next stage.

The teams are aided by experienced executives and business leaders. This year, twenty-five mentors — industry mentors and 51 alumni — have volunteered dozens of hours to encourage and aid students in preparing their pitches and refining their initiatives.

Meet the 2024 Startup Competition finalists

The ten startups pitching for capital at this year’s event are:

  1. Anchor — Founder & CEO - Business (AI Platform). A biblical AI solution designed to help people answer any questions about faith.
  2. CENT — Founder & CEO - Communication (MarTech). Helping college students save money one cent at a time!
  3. Daydream - Founder & CEO - Business (Fashion Brand). A size-inclusive women's fashion brand that will bring the basics to all.
  4. Eco-mineral Tech - Founder & CEO — MBA Finance (Sustainability Tech). Turning tech trash into treasure.
  5. Eveive — Co-Founders and - Business & Public Health (FemTech). A community platform for women to share, gain advice, and find a sense of sisterhood for all things women’s health.
  6. GoGo — Co-Founders , and - Business (TravelTech). An all-in-one travel companion app offering a smooth and stress-free journey from start to finish, molding the way people travel.
  7. — Founder & CEO - Business (Fashion Brand). A lifestyle brand creating clothing and products for everyday living and leisure; designed for those who value richness and seek culture in life itself.
  8. Intent — Founder & CEO - Computer Science (SaaS). A camp management platform for Christian camps bringing order and efficiency for organizers.
  9. Never Empty — Founder & CEO - Business (FoodTech). An innovative food scanner for the fridge and an app to help with solving food waste and promoting healthy eating.
  10. Paws of Grace — Founder & CEO - Business (PetTech). A web platform providing innovative solutions prioritizing the health and well-being of pets while promoting Christian values of compassion and service.

Attend the 2024 Startup Competition

This year’s keynote speaker will be , City Director for Los Angeles and founder of . This year’s judges are , founder and partner at , , partnerships executive at (recently acquired by ), of and s, and of .

The afternoon will also include an “Innovation panel discussion” of 51 alumni plus student leaders from the new AI lab and the new Prototype & Design Lab student leaders.

The Startup Competition Finals is free and open to the public with pre-event registration. Registrants will receive a free box lunch provided by Chick-Fil-A. 

The Startup Competition finals begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 19 in the 51 Business Building, room 109.