Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad (LaunchPad) hosted its annual ’Cuse Tank entrepreneurial competition Nov. 3 during Family Weekend in Bird Library. More than 35 student entrepreneurs participated from various schools and colleges across campus in a “Shark-Tank” style business pitch in front of a panel of judges consisting of Syracuse University parents and subject matter experts. The judges selected three winning teams this year, with each receiving $10,000. This year’s winning teams were:
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Shooka, founded by Natasha Brao ’22 Shooka, founded by Natasha Brao ’22 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) G’24 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management). Shooka is a consumer-packaged goods brand that celebrates the mixing and melding of cultural cuisines to promote creative, adaptable cooking, bringing new experiences to the modern table. Inspired by the classic dish Shakshuka enjoyed in many Mediterranean cultures, Shooka makes creative variations that allow you to experience the dish at home. Brao has solidified the contractual relationship with her co-packer and is hoping to launch her first line by the end of the fourth quarter with the funds awarded from ‘Cuse Tank.
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Marhold Space Systems, founded by Frank Marin ’23 Marhold Space Systems, founded by Frank Marin ’23 (College of Engineering and Computer Science) G’24 (Whitman). Marhold Space Systems, LLC is a space manufacturing company that is developing technology to assist in building long-term, in-space sustainable growth. They will be providing services through novel methods for active debris removal, on-orbit servicing and in-space manufacturing. Through designs and novel methodology, Marhold Space Systems promotes safer interactions with debris by minimizing contact with uncooperative objects. They will utilize the prize money for astrodynamics software to validate their debris removal methodology.
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IconnHost, founded by Waqar Hussain G’24 IconnHost, founded by Waqar Hussain G’24 (Whitman). IconnHost is a fully managed cloud hosting platform, engineered with proprietary software that crafts tailored hosting solutions with one click. They offer subject matter experts a streamlined cloud server management solution, enabling them to easily deploy and scale their digital products on dedicated cloud platforms. IconnHost will use the prize money to invest in product development, performance-improving technology, scalability, automation and marketing, and to build out their infrastructure and operations team.
This year’s prizes were generously donated by: Corey Lieblein ’93, parent Ajay Nagpal and Andrew ’79 and Linda Schwartz.
This year’s judges included:
- Jack Adler ’23, CEO of Out2Win Sports
- Melinda Dermody, associate dean of academic success, Syracuse University Libraries
- Ana Gil, owner, Ana Gil Studios
- Corey Lieblein, CEO of CP8 Capital
- Ajay Nagpal, president and COO of Millenium
- David Reed ’83, Champion Products
- Kira Crawford, technology consultant
- Tyrin Fernandes ’20, entrepreneur
- Karla Lellis JD’25, legal compliance specialist
- Lee McKnight, faculty, School of Information Studies
- Kate Oja, associate director of ERIE21, Le Moyne College
- Mark Wassersug, former COO of Intercontinental Exchange
About Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone
The Blackstone LaunchPad is Syracuse University’s innovation hub, connecting the campus resource-rich ecosystem with a global network that provides support for aspiring entrepreneurs, inventors and creators. The program serves faculty, staff, students and recent alumni across all disciplines who are interested in entrepreneurship, venture creation and innovation careers. The program supports a key pillar of Syracuse University’s academic strategic plan to give students experiential opportunities that help prepare them to be trailblazers in an entrepreneurial world.
