J Terrell Brown Venture Challenge
join us for lsu's only live pitch competition
The J Terrell Brown Venture Challenge is a system-wide business plan competition open
to all on-campus LSU students and alumni (graduated within the last year) no matter
their majors. The total prize pool is $35,000.
J Terrell Brown Venture Challenge Final Pitch
Thursday, April 18
5:30 p.m. - Doors open for networking reception
6:00 p.m. - First ptich begins
LSU Business Education Complex
Finalists:
Eternal Exchange | Ellen Frye (BS Entrepreneurship)
FarmSmart | Grant Muslow (BS Computer Science and Computer Engineering), Julius Pallotta
(BS Biological Engineering), Colin Raby (BS Mechanical Engineering)
Flickleball | Delaney Peppito (BFA Studio Arts), Connor Pittenger (BS Natural Resource
Ecology and Management), and Joseph Wampler (Bachelor's Interdisciplinary Studies)
2024 Competition Details
Round I: Application and video pitch submission.
Round II: Semi-finalists will submit a five-page executive business plan and pitch deck
Round III: Three finalists will present live in-person pitches at the Business Education Complex
on April 18. Each finalist will receive a share of the $35,000 prize. The minimum
prize is $5,000; the maximum prize is $25,000.
- Competitors are required to meet all submission deadlines and guidelines.
- Applicants must be current LSU-system students (undergraduate or graduate) or alumni who graduated within the last year.
- Entries must be on-campus students (not LSU Online); alumni must have completed an on-campus degree program.
- Individual or team submissions are welcome.
- Applicants cannot be part of multiple teams.
- Competitors must be present during the entire competition and the final presentation.
- LSU student(s) must represent at least 51% of company ownership.
- Ventures cannot exceed $150K in lifetime revenue and/or $250K in lifetime equity investment.
Applications are closed for 2024.
2023 Venture Challenge Results
First place: Röllin' Yoggler's Turkey Durkeys
Prize: $20,000
Student Founders: Sam Shapiro and Joe Shapiro
This innovative quick-service food concept features fried turkey fingers and stuffing
fries served from a fleet of vibrant food trucks.
Second place: MediRail
Prize: $10,000
Student Founder: Mitchell Mason
MediRail combines a medical backboard with an automated CPR device, reducing the time
that first responders spend preparing patients for transport. Read more about Mason's entrepreneurial journey.
Third place: PuzzLove
Prize: $5,000
Student Founder: Kamryn Huggins
PuzzLove supports the autism community through innovative products, including the
Shoe Sleeve, a device designed to make shoes more comfortable for children with autism.
Contact Us
Fahimeh Abbasi
Director, Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute
2230 Business Education Complex South
fahimabbasi@lsu.edu