Empowering Innovation: Innovative Pitch Competition Shows ‘Entrepreneurial spirit is thriving at the University of New Haven’

The Smerd Pitch Competition's an annual competition for aspiring entrepreneurs at the University of New Haven, bringing together students to pitch to a panel of industry experts. For Judith O. Atalor ‘25 MBA and Mary O. Kakulu ‘25 MBA, this year’s first-place winners, the experience was transformative, sparking new possibilities for their startup ToGen.

“When we came to the U.S. as international students, we realized how much there was to learn about the financial system here,” said Atalor. “Unfortunately, some students we knew made costly mistakes. That inspired us to create a platform that simplifies financial wellness for international students, tailored to their unique needs.”

Their pitch, focused on financial education, resonated with the judges for its clarity and potential impact. “Winning the competition wasn’t just a validation of our idea; it was a step forward in making ToGen a reality,” Kakulu explained.

The SMERD competition, now in its third year, also emphasized collaboration and mentorship.

“One of the standout moments was seeing last year’s winner, Tomiloba Shokunbi ‘23 MBA, mentoring this year’s participants,” said Vasiliki Kosmidou, Ph.D., Smerd Family Associate Professor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Pompea College of Business and the competition’s lead organizer. “It created a peer-to-peer connection that perfectly embodies the spirit of Smerd Competition.”

'We had to refine our pitch to resonate with a broad audience’

Preparation for the Smerd Pitch Competition is rigorous. Students participated in five workshops led by faculty and industry professionals, focusing on skills such as competitive analysis, marketing, and financial planning. For Atalor and Kakulu, these sessions were instrumental in refining their pitch.

“Consistent practice is key,” said Kakulu. “The workshops gave us a framework to present our ideas clearly, and the feedback we received helped us develop a compelling narrative.”

Dr. Kosmidou praised this year’s participants for their adaptability. “During the grand finals, judges asked challenging questions,” she said. Instead of faltering, teams pivoted on the spot, demonstrating resilience and creativity—qualities critical for entrepreneurial success.”

Chiamaka O. John ‘25 MBA, the second-place winner and crowd favorite with Wenigro Power, shared a similar sentiment. “Balancing technical details with simplicity was challenging,” said John. “We had to refine our pitch to resonate with a broad audience, which taught us the importance of clear communication.”

This adaptability was a highlight for both students and mentors. “Seeing students take feedback and improve in real-time was incredibly inspiring,” Dr. Kosmidou said.

'The journey from brainstorming to pitching in the finals taught us so much’

The winning teams stood out for their clairty, preparation, and storytelling. Judges were impressed with their clear go-to-market strategies and their ability to communicate value effectively.

For Atalor and Kakulu, the most memorable moment was hearing their business name announced as the winner. “It was surreal,” said Atalor. “The journey from brainstorming to pitching in the finals taught us so much about resilience and teamwork.”

John, whose pitch focused on smarter energy management, highlighted the power of mentorship and collaboration. “The Entrepreneurship Club and Professor Kosmidou were instrumental in refining our presentation,” she said. Their encouragement gave us the confidence to share our vision.”

Dr. Kosmidou emphasized the long-term benefits of the competition. “It’s not just about winning,” she said. “It’s about building skills such as communication, networking, and the ability to adapt—skills that will serve students in their entrepreneurial careers.”

'The competition validated our ideas and gave us the tools to move forward’

For ToGen, the next step is developing a fully operational platform to support incoming international students. “We believe ToGen can be an invaluable tool,” said Kakulu. “We’re excited to make it a reality.”

John plans to continue developing Wenigro Power’s energy solutions. “This is just the beginning,” she said. “The competition validated our ideas and gave us the tools to move forward.”

Reflecting on the competition’s impact, Dr. Kosmidou said, “I am incredibly proud of our students. Their hard work and determination show that the entrepreneurial spirit is thriving at the University of New Haven.”