Eastern students showcased their entrepreneurial abilities at the second annual Big Idea Pitch Competition on March 5. Held in the Paul E. Johnson Sr. Community Conference Room of the J. Eugene Smith Library, the event featured student-led business pitches in a “Shark Tank”-style format.

With pitches ranging from solar-powered phone cases to luxurious spa salons, participants competed for cash prizes and the opportunity to convert their ideas into reality. Each participant had five minutes to present an original business idea and marketing plan to a panel of judges.

The competition was founded by Eastern’s business department to help students develop entrepreneurial skills. “One of our marketing faculty (members) wanted to give students the opportunity to refine their presentation skills and business plans while showcasing their ideas to the community,” said Emiliano Villanueva, professor and department chair of business administration. “This competition is a fundamental tool for our students to learn how to create opportunities for themselves and others.”

This year’s event attracted 23 proposals, with 17 selected to compete. “We had a lot of passionate students eager to participate, which speaks to the enthusiasm within our department,” said Villanueva. “It was a celebratory moment for us to see students flourish under the pressure of pitching their ideas.”

First place went to Katherine Escalante and Christian Deras-Rodriguez with their business “GoodBuy,” a platform designed to help consumers make ethical purchasing decisions. “As young consumers, we believe in ‘voting with your dollar,’” Escalante said.

“People want to shop in alignment with their values, but misinformation and lack of convenience make it difficult. GoodBuy simplifies the process, giving shoppers power through intentional spending.”

The team found the live Q&A challenging but saw it as a valuable opportunity to think on their feet. “We’re so thankful to the business department, event sponsors, and judges for creating this opportunity to showcase the talent and innovation here at Eastern.”

Second place was awarded to Gabriela Varela Santana and Xiomara Martinez for their business “Unhidden,” a digital platform designed to provide undocumented students with professional resources and legislative updates.

“Xiomara and I were motivated by our own experiences,” said Varela Santana. “Finding resources is incredibly difficult — most websites are outdated and only cater to DACA recipients. We want to empower undocumented students to gain experience and explore their passions just like their peers.”

The team admitted they were nervous about how their topic would be received but were thrilled with the response. “We have prepared this project since September, and we’re so happy with the finished product.”

Third place went to Raymond LaPointe, Gabriel Arevalo, and Jordi Cassar for their business “Social Spark,” an app aimed at helping college students find the best social spots in real-time.

“Many students rely on word of mouth, which can lead to uncertain and sometimes disappointing experiences,” said LaPointe. “We wanted to create a technology-driven solution to enhance social lives and build a sense of community. … The experience of pitching was both nerve-wracking and rewarding,” he added.

“Standing in front of an audience was exhilarating, and the live Q&A helped us think quickly and gain insight into what potential investors and users care about most.”

The Sustainability Award went to Jake Cohen for “Scout the Suburb,” a tool designed to help users explore different communities in Connecticut to find the best fit for their lifestyle. “I wanted to better understand different areas of the state, and 'Scout the Suburb' provides a way to compare them,” Cohen said. He utilized a minimalist pitch design to highlight the most important points.

Villanueva praised the event’s impact. “Our students rose to the challenge, and we were excited to see them bring their ideas to life. This competition is about more than just winning — it’s about developing confidence, critical thinking, and the ability to turn ideas into action.”