An AI-powered support system, an alert software system and a social media partnership service were the winners at the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s (ACEI’s) fall 2024 Vol Court.
Vol Court is a four-week entrepreneurial speaker series that culminates in a 90-second business idea pitch competition. The ACEI, part of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business, hosts the event each semester. Participating students put what they learn in the speaker series into practice by pitching their business ideas to a panel of successful entrepreneurs for a chance to win $1,500.
“Vol Court may be just an idea pitch, but the quality of these presentations clearly shows how much thought, effort and research our students have invested in their business concepts. From social enterprise fashion to augmented reality auto parts imaging, the diversity of ideas reflects the broad knowledge and passion our students are bringing to the table,” says Breanna Hale, executive director of the ACEI. “We’re incredibly proud of everyone who pitched their ideas, and we’re excited to support their journeys as they continue to develop these promising ventures.”
Vol Court Pitch Competition Winners
The team of judges awarded ASTERS the first-place prize of $1,500, AlertX the second-place prize of $1,000 and Partnerly the third-place prize of $500.
ASTERS, co-founded by Aniirudh Ramesh, a mechanical engineering graduate from Chennai, India, was awarded first place at Vol Court. ASTERS is an AI-powered decision support system designed to mitigate active-shooter scenarios.
“It’s truly a great honor to get a platform to distill a complex idea into an information-dense, 90-second pitch,” says Ramesh. “This invaluable training — coupled with the prize money — will significantly advance our efforts in bringing our technology to market.”
Second place was awarded to AlertX, formed by Max Gallinek, a freshman supply chain management major from Charlotte, North Carolina. AlertX is a campus wide software that provides students with rapid access to Narcan by sending digital alerts and connecting those in need with nearby students who have quick access to the life-saving drug.
“Winning the Vol Court pitch competition during my first semester at UT is truly an honor, and I am immensely grateful for this opportunity,” Gallinek says. “This experience has not only allowed me to expand my professional network but has also provided me with inspiration and new perspectives that will be crucial as I move forward in developing my startup and bringing it to life. Go Vols!”
Partnerly, a service to help businesses and content creators start, scale and succeed with their social media paid partnerships, was awarded third place. Partnerly’s founder is Blake Hopkins, a senior supply chain management major and entrepreneur minor from Fayetteville, Tennessee.
“Winning Vol Court was a huge honor,” says Hopkins. “I want to give a huge thank you to the Anderson Center for providing opportunities like this one.”
Vol Court’s Speaker Series Featured Successful Knoxville Entrepreneurs
Vol Court’s speaker series kicked off the first session with Lance Adler, founder of Witching Hour. Adler is a serial entrepreneur who has started multiple ventures, from an energy drink company to super food snack to his latest project, Witching Hour, which helps prevent wildfires for power companies.
Session two of Vol Court featured UT alumni Charles Wilson, co-founder of HumanAI. Students learned about his experience entering a saturated field with an innovative service. His company empowers business owners and influencers with AI tools to help generate, plan and manage content campaigns.
The final speaker in the Vol Court series was Bianca Bailey, founder and CEO of Agirwater. Bailey shared her journey as an entrepreneur in a non-traditional space. She discovered a critical problem with agriculture waste and created Agriwater to solve it.
The ACEI thanks the Scott and Dianna Roe Foundation for their continued support of Vol Court and the student participants.
About the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is the front door to entrepreneurship at UT, connecting entrepreneurs and innovators at every stage with the resources, networks and expertise needed to solve real challenges. By cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset across campus, connecting entrepreneurs with resources and mentorship they need to grow, and collaborating with the UT and regional ecosystem, the Anderson Center is developing an entrepreneurial culture where Volunteers are empowered to identify unmet needs and take bold action to create value through new ventures.
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CONTACT: Brennan Hullett, brennan@utk.edu
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