University of Kentucky Participates in the 2024 SEC Pitch Competition!

Knoxville, TN - The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, housed in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business, host the 2024 SEC Student Pitch Competition on October 17, 2024. With $25,000 on the line, the SEC Student Pitch Competition provided a unique showcase for student entrepreneurs, pitting student teams representing each of the 16 Southeastern Conference universities against one another in a startup business pitch competition. In the all-day event, student teams presented their innovative businesses to a panel of judges to determine those most worthy of a funding investment.

The University of Kentucky is proud to be represented at the SEC Student Pitch Competition by student team "HelperHat," led by Founder Wyatt Hench.  HelperHat is a patent-pending hat with a magnetic bill that helps DIYers and professionals securely and temporarily hold ferromagnetic hardware hands-free.

Hench is a serial entrepreneur and University of Kentucky Engineering student pursing his degree in mechanical engineering. He is a two-time founder and multi-competition business plan winner. He is also a graduate of Entrepreneurs Bootcamp Online Business Accelerator led by The Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship, through the Gatton College of Business & Economics.

“Competing at the SEC Collegiate Pitch Competition in Knoxville was a great opportunity. Meeting top talent from every SEC school pushed me to elevate my game, refine my pitch, and build connections that matter. The experience sharpened my skills and gave me the edge to grow my business with confidence.” – Wyatt Hench, Founder and CEO of HelperHat

“Wyatt did an excellent job representing UK at the competition. His presentation skills and answering the judges questions were very good. He will go far in whatever he chooses to do in his life.” – Warren Nash, Executive Director of The Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship

More About the Competition

“It was incredibly inspiring to meet these talented students,” shared Breanna Hale, Executive Director of the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “Even though we are all rooting for our own teams, I felt a tremendous sense of pride in all the presenting teams for their innovative ideas that solve real problems, their dedication and hard work and their courage to present. With concepts that can be potentially life changing, their successes will serve to make the world a better place. It’s been an honor to be able to host these teams, and we look forward to following their journeys as they continue to build and grow their ventures.”

The following 16 teams presented in the 2024 pitch competition:

• HelperHat by Wyatt Hench, University of Kentucky
• AluminAiry by Brian Washington, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Brave Cap by Sudiksha Singhal, Vanderbilt University
• Cordelia Biosciences by Jessica Tittle Nielsen, University of Florida
• Event Connect by Andrew Harris, Curtis Mitchell and Bridget Russo, Oklahoma University
• FarmSmart AI by Grant Muslow, Julius Pallotta and Colin Raby, Louisiana State University
• Hidalga Technologies by Joshua Upshaw, University of Arkansas
• Parker’s Brick Builds by Parker Owens, Missouri University
• PeakTew by Lucas Sevathian, University of South Carolina
• Sellvntg by Owen Ridgeway, University of Mississippi
• Sisterhood of the Traveling 20s by Kelsie Pearson, University of Georgia
• Studyplacer by Brandon Cooper, Mississippi State
• Surgeon Support by Chase Lano, Texas A&M University
• TappedIn by Lars Griffin, University of Alabama
• The Earlybird Co. by Thomas Lester, Auburn University
• Trinity Tube by Iman Salafian, University of Texas at Austin

Meet the 2024 Winners

The team of judges awarded Brace Cap the first-place prize of $10,000, Trinity Tube the second-place prize of $8,000 and The Earlybird Co. the third-place prize of $7,000.

Brace Cap was founded by Sudiksha Singhal, a sophomore at Vanderbilt University studying human and organizational development, neuroscience and data science. Brace Cap’s patented covered ligature ties provide a cushioning layer between the orthodontic bracket and the patient’s inner cheek and lip, preventing common orthodontic injuries and wounds. The innovative approach reduces the risk of injury and the frequency of unscheduled emergency visits, improving quality of care and patient retention for orthodontic clinics.

“The SEC Student Pitch Competition has been a great opportunity to meet so many incredible student entrepreneurs and learn from their experience,” shared Singhal. “I loved the entire process and am so excited to take the SEC champion title back to Vanderbilt. The feedback, experience and monetary prize are really going to help bring Brace Cap to new heights! I am so grateful to the incredible Wond’ry team for their support, as well as the entrepreneurship center back home at the University of North Dakota. Without their mentorship, this would never have happened. It truly takes a village!”

Second place winner, Trinity Tube, was founded by Iman Salafian, a mechanical engineering PhD student at the University of Texas at Austin. Trinity Tube is a multifunctional neonatal feeding tube capable of vital sign monitoring improving patient safety and workflow efficiency in NICUs.

“It is an honor to compete alongside such brilliant entrepreneurs from SEC universities, each with incredible ideas and products,” said Salafian. “Winning this competition empowers Trinity Tube to move forward in commercializing our technology and supporting the most vulnerable patients in our society.”

The Earlybird Co., the competition’s third place winner, was founded by Thomas Lester, an industrial and systems engineering junior at Auburn University. The Earlybird’s product is a self-heating, pre-made coffee that is ready to enjoy in under 90 seconds. It is a true grab-and-go hot beverage that allows you to have a hot coffee anytime, anywhere.

“I was so grateful to be chosen to represent Auburn University and all those who made it happen, but I knew this was going to be a real test of the business,” shared Lester. “The competition turned out to be even better than I expected, and every single SEC school sent an incredible team. There is really something special about what is happening in the SEC when it comes to the talented inventors and businesspeople who are emerging.”

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.

CONTACT: Brennan Hullett, brennan@utk.edu