Student Entrepreneurs Take the Stage at Accelerate's Annual Rapid Pitch Event

A packed room of students, alumni, staff, and startup enthusiasts filled Wentworth Institute of Technology for Accelerate's annual Rapid Pitch event, a night where student founders stepped in front of a live audience, many for the very first time, to pitch their early-stage ideas for a chance at up to $500 in proof-of-concept funding. 

"This is one of my favorite events of the year because it gives emerging student entrepreneurs the chance to start developing a pitch, hone their early ideas, and get some proof-of-concept funding," said Ashley Lucas, Executive Director of Accelerate. 

David Chang, Hon. ’23, Founder of Via AI and Wentworth Trustee, and Raf Montes, Founder of Shadow Fight Goods and Wentworth Industrial Design alumnus, served as judges. Chang praised the energy in the room and highlighted the 50/50 gender mix of presenters, noting the event fell during Women's History Month. 

"We could all feel the passion and clear conviction from all the teams, and in my opinion, the three women gave the strongest and most compelling five-minute pitches last night," Chang said. "I'd back each of them in a heartbeat." 

Student participant Andre Sebastian Juscamaita Campos presented alongside partner Jayden Light, showcasing his project Hugo, a recycling trash can designed to focus on aluminum while encouraging user interaction to promote more conscious recycling habits. 

"I had the chance to learn from advisors and experienced faculty, gaining valuable feedback and insights that will help shape the next steps of the project," Campos said. 

Ryan Ballard said he "had an amazing time at Rapid Pitch, networking with other student entrepreneurs in the Wentworth community." 

The event was sponsored by Alex Guinta of Leader Bank and supported by Jeremy Aubin, Business Management ’21, Chair of the Wentworth Alumni Association and Head of Enablement at TireTutor. 

"It was great to see all of the networking and cross collaboration between students and alumni," Aubin said. "We plan to do so much more and now is the time to get involved." 

The Accelerate organizing team—Yonalis Rosario Perez, Emma Conant, and Tory Lam—coordinated the event. 

"The evening wouldn't have had the same level of energy without the incredible alumni and students who joined us to cheer on the up-and-coming entrepreneurs," Lucas said. "Here's to the continued creation of an incredible WIT startup community!"