Author: Maddie Koss

Three and a half weeks into college, most first-years are still figuring out where their classes are or which dining hall is the safest bet. At the Lacy School of Business, though, 44 students were already stepping into the spotlight, pitching startup ideas as if millions were on the line.

That was the scene at the first First-Year Pitch Competition, sponsored by Roll Tack Ventures, on September 19. 22 teams, two students each, three minutes on the clock, and just three slides to make their case. A panel of six judges stood in as venture capitalists, pressing them with questions about customers, markets, and why their ideas deserved to exist right now.

The case studies students worked from were inspired by real-world startups: HeartHalo, a wearable sensor that prevents heat stress in industrial workers; ReturnRaccoon, a B2B software that streamlines product returns; ShieldFox, a real-time risk monitoring tool; and TrueVibe, an employee sentiment platform mapping workplace “vibes” in real time. Each team wasn’t just pitching a product – they were stepping into the role of founder, showing why this company, why now, and why them.

And they didn’t hold back. Some dressed in coordinated outfits, others designed their own logos, and one team triggered an alarm mid-pitch to demonstrate HeartHalo in action. It was Shark Tank energy; with all the guts and creativity you’d expect from entrepreneurs – only these “founders” had been on campus less than a month.

Judges pushed hard, asking questions like: Who’s the decision-maker? Why hasn’t this problem been solved yet? What makes this the right time? But they also offered encouragement that left students buzzing. “Even if you don’t know the answers, come with confidence and give it your best shot,” Tyler Mantel, General Partner at Roll Tack Ventures, said.

At the end of the day, two teams stood out. Peri Mossman and Ava Mehling walked away with first place and a $1,000 prize for their compelling pitch of TrueVibe, showing how live “vibe maps” could transform employee engagement. Charlotte Potts and Kara Rady earned Best Presentation and a $500 prize for their polished and creative HeartHalo pitch, impressing judges with both style and substance.

But the real story wasn’t about the big checks. It was about students pushing themselves out of their comfort zones and gaining skills that will serve them well beyond this competition.

“Pitching allows students to practice nearly every skill they’ll need after graduation – working as a team, presenting ideas clearly, thinking through problems, leveraging research, balancing accuracy with creativity, and showing themselves well,” Nick Smarrelli, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation said. “And the best part? It’s fun. Every team exceeded expectations. The students who said ‘yes’ to this competition have already set themselves apart just a few weeks into the school year.”

As Roll Tack Ventures mentors reminded students, not every business is right for venture capital funding, and part of the process is learning to spot which ideas have the potential to scale. Just as importantly, students connected with peers and industry leaders, building networks that will fuel their growth throughout their academic and professional journeys.

“To do something that doesn’t exist in the world, you have to have confidence – maybe even a little arrogance – to believe you can,” Mantel said. “Today, students showed they have a piece of that confidence. And that’s the start of something great.”

The buzz inside Fairview House was undeniable. More than 200 students, alumni, and community members gathered shoulder to shoulder on September 10 for the Entrepreneurship Kick-Off, hosted by the Lacy School of Business’s Private Venture Association (PVA) and Butler DECA. This wasn’t just another campus event – it was a celebration of bold ideas, resilience, and the drive to build something new, capped off with insights from Indy 500 champion Alex Palou.

That spirit was reflected in the audience itself: more than 50 student founders were in the crowd, joined by peers from across Butler’s colleges, all eager to learn and connect.

Nick Smarrelli, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, set the tone early. “About 70% of people in this generation want to start a business at some point. How can Butler help in that journey?” he asked the crowd. He pointed to the ways Butler already fuels that ambition, from Bulldog Enterprises – where students run real, functional businesses like Butler Brew and Chimba Bowls – to the PVA program, which helps students explore venture capital and angel investing. “We have a decade-plus of entrepreneurship at Butler and we’re continuing to take it to the next level,” Smarrelli said. “It’s about creating value, solving problems, making connections, and being inspired by creativity.”

Dean Craig Caldwell echoed that sentiment, reminding the audience that Butler’s commitment to entrepreneurship goes far beyond the Lacy School of Business. “Everyone needs to know that the university, not just LSB, is leaning into entrepreneurship now more than ever. LSB is just leading the charge,” he said. He also highlighted the upcoming Butler Angel Network, set to launch in Spring 2026. The initiative will connect Butler with accredited investors to back early-stage firms, with the ultimate goal of seeing Butler-born startups thrive.

From there, the focus turned to students and alumni who had already brought their ideas to life. John Dunn, a recent graduate and founder of EntryPoint SRM, spoke about his edtech company that helps K–12 schools streamline operations. His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? “Have realistic expectations of what entrepreneurship looks like,” he said. “Talk to people as much as you can to get their feedback. Don’t try to do everything on your own.”

Felipe Reyes, founder of Chimba Bowls, told the story of turning a class project into a restaurant that now employs more than 22 people. For him, the key lesson was that passion and persistence matter more than experience. “Butler gave me the yes and the opportunity,” Reyes said. “Know that you have the capacity to build cool things and make an impact. Don’t let the things you haven’t experienced hold you back.”

For Sam Farber, founder of Zealot, the path was even more unexpected. He described selling his company for millions at just 24 and stressed the importance of taking risks rather than waiting for perfect timing. “Life is won by people who say yes – not those who wait,” Farber said. “You don’t learn to swim by reading about it, you learn by jumping in.”

The energy in the room carried into the night’s headline moment: a fireside chat with IndyCar star Alex Palou. Though most know him as the 2025 Indy 500 champion, Palou spoke candidly about how his entrepreneurial spirit shaped his career. “Racing is not a straightforward process,” he told the audience. “I spent a lot of time making calls asking for money and support just so I’d have the opportunity to chase my dreams.” At just 20 years old, while in Japan, he even started a coffee shop as a backup plan. “I didn’t know anything in advance, but it was very successful,” he admitted with a grin.

When asked what success means to him, Palou offered a simple but powerful definition. “When I was a kid, I just wanted to be a professional racer. To reach that dream was success. To be able to wake up every morning and work on what you love while trying to be better every day – that’s the goal.” And when it came to motivation after a big win, his words resonated with both racers and entrepreneurs alike: “Business is the same as championships. When you’re successful, it’s like a high for a few hours – then you want more. At the end of the day, you need to do it all over again.”

As the crowd filtered out after an evening of insight, inspiration, and plenty of applause, one thing was clear: this event was more than a launch of the program. Thanks to the leadership of PVA and Butler DECA, it showcased the very heart of Butler entrepreneurship: students turning ideas into thriving businesses and alumni proving what’s possible after graduation.

Imagine being a college student and having the chance to evaluate real startups, connect with investors, and make funding decisions that could shape the next big idea – all before you graduate.

That’s exactly what students at Butler University will be able to do through the upcoming launch of the Butler Angel Network in Spring 2026, a student-led initiative that bridges classroom learning with real-world venture capital experience.

“This is more than an investment vehicle,” Craig, Caldwell, Dean of the Lacy School of Business, said. “It’s a living lab for our students, another example of student-run enterprises at Lacy, a bridge to our alumni, and a bold step toward making Bulter a hub for entrepreneurial leadership and economic development in the Midwest.”

Developed and executed by LSB, the Butler Angel Network will give students the chance to actively participate in deal sourcing, due diligence, portfolio analysis, and communication with angel investors – gaining hands-on experience that will go far beyond the traditional classroom setting.

The Butler Angel Network is the newest addition to a growing lineup of immersive, student-led ventures at the Lacy School of Business. These initiatives are designed to emphasize real-world experience over theory.

Students have the opportunity to manage a captive insurance company, oversee a multimillion-dollar Student Managed Investment Fund, conduct company valuations through Bulldog Reports, and even launch their own businesses as sophomores.

Additional enterprises, including the student-run coffee shop and thrift store, further expand these hands-on learning opportunities. Together, they position Butler among the nation’s top institutions for experiential business education.

Through this model, graduates leave prepared to step confidently into their careers as leaders, problem solvers, and entrepreneurial changemakers.

The network will also create new ways for alumni and accredited investors to get involved. Alumni will be able to mentor students, invest in startups, and directly contribute to Butler’s growing ecosystem.

“By empowering students and connecting them with real-world investment opportunities, Butler is positioning itself as a critical partner in driving regional economic development,” Travis Stegemoller, General Counsel with gener8tor said.

The initiative complements Butler University’s collaborations with organizations like gener8tor, TechPoint, and the Indiana Economic Development Corp, positioning the university as a leader in innovation and experiential business education. By deploying a part of its endowment as co-investment alongside accredited investors, Butler will help promising startups grow while giving students a truly hands-on learning experience. The network’s goal is to amass $10 million in investable capital and hold its first pitch event in Spring 2026.

Returning to his alma mater as Executive Director, Dr. Paul Newsom will lead the initiative. “I’m thrilled to return to Butler University and contribute to student success by connecting them with practical, real-world business experiences,” he said. “After a decade of guiding early-stage startups toward growth and enhancing returns for accredited investors, I look forward to leveraging those insights at the Lacy School of Business to strengthen ties between students, accredited investors, and entrepreneurs.”

The Butler Angel Network will redefine how students learn about entrepreneurship, giving them real responsibility, mentorship, and the opportunity to impact the regional startup ecosystem. For students, alumni, and investors alike, it’s an exciting step forward – and a reminder that innovation is a team sport.

Accredited investors or alumni interested in joining the Butler Angel Network or learning more can contact butlerangels@butler.edu.