Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation caps milestone year with Top Dog and Top Pup competitions

With enhanced programming, record student participation, and new leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation are reaching new heights at Louisiana Tech University's College of Business.

This academic year saw the hiring of Benjamin McLarty, Ph.D., as the McGehee Eminent Scholar Chair in Entrepreneurship and Jessica George as the director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

"Ben's strong entrepreneurship research portfolio, particularly in family business, and Jessica's innovative approach to infusing entrepreneurship into our programming are keys to the Center's success," said Dr. Chris Martin, dean of the College of Business. "As a core theme of the College, entrepreneurship is woven into nearly every aspect of our academic programming. The reimagining of our Center allows us to build upon this mission-centric objective in a strategic way."

The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation capped its year with the Top Dog New Venture Championship, the University's premier entrepreneurial pitch competition - one of the oldest in the state. The cross-disciplinary competition provides a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase innovative business ideas.

"This year, 22 teams competed in the preliminary round, with seven advancing to two distinct tracks," said George. "The investor track was for market-ready ventures with true investment potential and the journey track featured teams with early-stage ideas. I'm so proud of each of our competitors and enjoyed seeing their ideas come to life."

First place in the investor track was awarded to Dawson Mulkey, who graduated this spring with a degree in mechanical engineering. Mulkey's product, FlatFit, is a modular, adhesive-backed power solution that discreetly delivers electricity using flat extension cord technology.

Other competitors in this track included:

• ThermaEdge (Joseph Estopinal, Douglas Graham, Victoria Baglio, Gabriel Stapp) (second place) - a heated or chilled muscle scraper that brings professional-grade recovery and injury prevention to athletes at an affordable price
• CutIR (Trisha Carter, Calvin Idom, Sam Chen, Holden Wells) (third place) - a web platform for performance-centric code optimization using IR and CPU cycle analysis to support sustainable, high-efficiency programming
• Aumnia (Vignan Deshaboina) - an AI powered personal life management system integrating sleep, scheduling, fitness, nutrition, finances, and emotional wellness into one adaptive platform

Ideal College Experience Safety Shuttle took home first place in the journey track. Comprised of recent management grad Bobby Simpson, management major George Breard, and finance major Claire Booth, Team ICE's concept is a university-partnered student transit service aimed at reducing DUIs by providing safe, reliable transportation.

Additional finalists in the journey track included:

• Pawfect Match (Emma Daniels, Rileigh Langston) (second place) - a Tinder-style pet adoption platform that matches users with pets based on lifestyle and preferences to ensure lasting, informed adoptions
• Wello (Delsean Miles) (third place) - a smart wristband and mobile app that delivers real-time nudges to help users build healthy habits in hydration, movement, and nutrition

Prior to the Top Dog competition, students from the College's Introduction to Business and Entrepreneurship (BUSN 110) course competed in the Top Pup finals, a pitch competition designed to provide early exposure to entrepreneurship and startup methodology.

Under the guidance of Instructor of Marketing Bruce Siegmund, Top Pup teams develop and pitch their ideas, products, or businesses as part of BUSN 110. The winning team from each quarter then competes for the grand prize in the Spring.

"Top Pup prepares participants for more advanced competitions, and provides prize money in the form of scholarships to support next steps to further success," said Martin. "By starting students earlier in their academic careers with programs like Top Pup, they have more time to refine their product or idea, leading to a greater chance of success. More importantly, it instills an entrepreneurial mindset in our students, empowering them to bring creativity, value, and innovation to any organization they become part of."

This year's Top Pup finalists were:

• MediMeal (Hailey Emerson, Danielle Miller, Kristian Pellegrino, Tyler Hart, Zachary Curtis) (first place) - a health-tracking app designed for individuals managing chronic conditions, helping users monitor meals, symptoms, and medications to improve wellness outcomes
• Tech Drives (Nathan Fischer, Hunter Harris, Jaquerion Whitaker, Quincy Lewis) (second prize) - a student-run rideshare service offering safe, affordable transportation options tailored to the needs of Louisiana Tech students
• Dawg Dash (Gracie Vidrine, Zoe Tugwell, Ethan Vest, Brogan Walker, AJ Wetzig) (third prize) - a delivery service created by Louisiana Tech students for Louisiana Tech students offering convenient and affordable food and supply delivery across campus
• Magnolia Marketing (Caden French, Matthew Fortune, Ian Franze, Hillarie Gallien) - a social media and marketing firm focused on supporting local and regional businesses through personalized digital strategies

Judges for Top Dog and Top Pup included:

• India Carroll, Executive in Residence, College of Business, Louisiana Tech
• Michael Leachman, Partner and Patent Attorney, Jones Walker LLP
• Chris Martin, Dean, College of Business, Louisiana Tech
• Lucius McGehee, Vice President - Governmental Services, Argent Advisors
• Benjamin McLarty, McGehee Eminent Scholar Chair in Entrepreneurship, Louisiana Tech
• Dave Smith, Executive Director, Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program, BRF

Over $20,000 in prize money was awarded to the Top Dog and Top Pup winning teams thanks to the generosity of Jones Walker LLP, BRF's Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program, alumni Matt and Catherine Saurage, and Just Business Giving Society donors.

Other initiatives of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation included Won in One, an elevator pitch competition - with a twist. This year's Won in One took students into the Wyly Tower elevator to make their one-minute pitches as they rode up to the 16th floor of the iconic building on Tech's campus.

Winners of Won in One were Anna Claire Masters (first), Patrick Rea (second), and Wesley Bonner (third). Each received scholarship funds as a prize.

The Center also piloted Backed by Business, a cross-campus collaboration between the College of Engineering and Science and the College of Business held during the annual Freshman Design Competition. Business students heard 60-second pitches from 20 engineering teams, then selected their top pick based on market potential.

"Entrepreneurship isn't just about launching a startup; it's a way of thinking that's valuable no matter what industry or career you're aiming for," said George. "It teaches you how to spot problems, test your ideas with real people, and communicate your vision clearly. Those skills are something everyone can use. That's why activities like these are so important; they help students build confidence and creativity that will serve them in any job or field."

About the College of Business
Through market-responsive academic programs, impactful scholarship, and a student-focused culture, Louisiana Tech University's College of Business graduates business and academic leaders who are innovative, entrepreneurially minded, and analytically and technologically skilled for a globally competitive marketplace. Building on a vibrant community of lifelong learners, our graduates are prepared to positively impact business and society. Accredited by AACSB International, the nationally ranked College offers eight undergraduate degree programs in addition to the master of business administration, master of accountancy, and Ph.D. in business administration. For more information, visit business.latech.edu.