Twenty-three teams with students representing seven different colleges on campus competed in the 2024 Halloween Business Idea Pitch Competition. College of Sciences and Mathematics sophomore Moises Gonzales won the competition for FarmHub, an online farmers market connecting farmers and consumers eager to buy fresh, locally sourced product.

FarmHub offers a unique and scalable solution to modern agricultural challenges by connecting local farmers to consumers, leveraging technology for efficiency, and fostering community-driven growth. With its focus on sustainability, community empowerment, and scalable management, FarmHub is poised to transform local food systems and create lasting economic and social impact. 

Second place went to Bandit Duck Calls, led by Simon Worley, a senior majoring in management, and a minor in Entrepreneurship & Family Business in the Harbert College of Business.  This new product is a redesigned and improved duck call that also helps support waterfowl conservation by releasing a duck for each duck call sold. 

 

Third place went to Chifforo, led by Isabella Barreiro, a freshman majoring in interior design, at the College of Human Sciences. Chifforo is an app that connects users to apparel lenders in their community, helping them find the perfect outfit to “rent out”.  This is a solution for those who crave easy access to a fashionable wardrobe without cutting into their budget or having to stick to a single look.  

 

Fourth place went to Opera Tech, led by Wells Renkens, a junior majoring in business analytics in Harbert College. Opera Tech is a medical technology company that is creating a cost-effective alternative for medical training, specifically IV training, to better prepare medical professionals in lower income communities and third-world countries. 

 

The Thomas Walter Center for Technology Management award went to Patella Protector, led by Sophia Aulisio, a junior majoring in accounting and marketing in Harbert College. Patella Protector is a revolutionary knee pad for volleyball players that allows for better mobility, stays in place, and offers a “one size fits all” model because it is adjustable. 

This year’s Halloween Business Idea Pitch Competition received 39 applications, far exceeding any past applicant pool.  The record participation in this year’s competition can easily be traced to the increased enrollment in entrepreneurship courses, participation in business startup events hosted by the Lowder Center for Family Business & Entrepreneurship, and the mentoring support provided by the entrepreneurs-in-residence at the New Venture Accelerator.   

The 2024 Halloween competitors came from the Harbert College of Business, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, College of Sciences and Mathematics, College of Human Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, College of Architecture, Design & Construction, and College of Liberal Arts.  Participants included freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors, masters, and PhD students. 

The competition, sponsored by Regions Bank, was supported by a team of professional judges including Eric Smith (Regions), Bart Aldridge (Regions), Betty Ryberg, Larkin Jones, Kendall Butler, Anna Hovey, Dan Leonardi, and Ralph Runge.  

“Beyond attaining a degree, business education today recognizes the need to develop entrepreneurial skillsets among our graduates, as the competitive landscape demands outside-the-box, big idea thinking”, said Lou Bifano, New Venture Accelerator director.  “From our own New Venture Accelerator and our robust mentoring, coaching, counseling offerings and business idea pitch competitions, to the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation, the Intellectual Property Exchange, the Lowder Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurship minor offered at the Harbert College of Business, Auburn University is fast developing a reputation as having one of the best entrepreneurship programs in the country.” 

Congratulations to all teams that competed.  Student Task – Patella Protector – Bandit Duck Calls – FarmHub – Ally Alert – PIVIT Products – Virtu Jewels – Reelvo – Tradition Apparel – SAKE Virtual Assistant – Rentify It – Profocus Media – Opera Tech – Time Capture – Summit on The Plains – Young Hustlers – Chifforo – Executive – Dish Drive – Intellaware – Rowdy Hound – Laurel – Safer Driver. 

We are thankful for the support Regions Bank provides to Auburn University Entrepreneurship. 

We offer our additional thanks to Bart Aldridge and Eric Smith from Regions Bank who gave of their time to serve as judges and mentors for our student teams. 

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Next Up: The Tiger Cage Pitch Competition and its $100,000+ Prize Pool. The registration deadline is Nov. 13.