Social Enterprise Prize Final Round Celebration
The Swartz Center Social Enterprise Prize is a new competition at Carnegie Mellon University designed to empower students to develop entrepreneurial solutions for social and environmental challenges. The competition runs as a special track within the McGinnis Pitch Competition.
Congrats to our 2025 Winners!
For 2025 only, with a special gift from the McGinnis family, we were able to double the prize winnings for each team!
Undergraduate Winners
We had a tie for first place this year for our undergraduate division. Each team will receive $7,500
Avalon: Applying AI and learning psychology to education to enhance teaching efficiency and student learning. Team includes Derek Armfield and Akeil Smith.
AdaptED: AdaptED is a B2B EdTech company that streamlines special education accommodations for K-12 schools by integrating AI-powered test modifications and automated compliance support into existing Learning Management Systems. Through their software, they aim to reduce teacher workload and strengthen parent-teacher collaboration to ensure every student receives the equitable education they deserve. Team includes Aditi Shimpi and Allison Yu.
Graduate Winner
First place graduate team receives $20,000
OctaPulse: Smarter Fish Farming: AI-Driven Inspection for Higher Yields and Lower Costs. Team includes Paul L. Grech, Rohan Singh and Andres Castrillon.
Help cheer the final round teams to victory by attending our in person event.
Monday, March 17, 2025
4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Final Round Team Presentations
6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Award Ceremony & Networking Reception
Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship
Carnegie Mellon University
Tepper Quad
, 3rd Level
4765 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
The event will also be live-streamed to allow our international and remote community members to view. To view the live-stream visit the events page the day of the event.
Visitor parking available at the East Campus Garage
Schedule of Events
Undergraduate Team Pitches
Undergraduate Teams: 5 min pitch and 5 min Q&A
2 min break between presentation
|
4:00 - 4:10 p.m. |
|
|
4:12 - 4:22 p.m. |
Scala |
|
4:24 - 4:34 p.m. |
AdaptED |
Graduate Team Pitches
Graduate Teams: 5 min pitch and 5 min Q&A
2 min break between presentations
|
4:36 - 4:46 p.m. |
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| 4:48 - 4:58 p.m. | |
| 5:00 – 5:10 p.m. |
EVAL-AI |
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5:12 – 5:22 p.m. |
Expired |
Networking Reception + Awards Ceremony
6:00 - 7:30 p.m. EST
Join us as we announce the winners of the 2025 Social Enterprise Prize.
Awards to be announced between 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. EST.
The networking reception is hosted by Dentons.
2025 Final Round Teams
Avalon
Undergraduate Track
Derek Armfield and Akeil Smith
Applying AI and learning psychology to education to enhance teaching efficiency and student learning.
Scala
Undergraduate Track
Elin Zhou
Scala is an affordable weighing scale for people with mobility impairments
AdaptED
Undergraduate Track
Aditi Shimpi and Allison Yu
AdaptED is a B2B EdTech company that streamlines special education accommodations for K-12 schools by integrating AI-powered test modifications and automated compliance support into existing Learning Management Systems. Through their software, they aim to reduce teacher workload and strengthen parent-teacher collaboration to ensure every student receives the equitable education they deserve.
OctaPulse
Graduate Track
Paul L. Grech, Rohan Singh, Andres Castrillon and Miguel Almeida
Smarter Fish Farming: AI-Driven Inspection for Higher Yields and Lower Costs
Dan's Compass
Graduate Track
Robertus Danny Sucahyo and Punyapa Poonapanont
Dan’s Compass is a free resource/platform for cancer fighters, caregivers and their friends to find practical advice, share stories and support each other through collaborative and meaningful arts.
EVAL-AI
Graduate Track
Christian Andino Borrero, Vashishth Doshi, Lisa Menda, Grace Sam and Zachary Zwijacz
The go-to solution for AI regulatory readiness
Expired
Graduate Track
Lawrence Hua, Ran Bi, Bailey Morton and Brenden Morton
Expired is an AI-powered perishable management platform that helps retailers reduce shrinkage, optimize inventory and automate markdowns while giving shoppers transparency in freshness and pricing. By scanning produce, predicting expiration and providing real-time insights. Expired ensures shoppers get the right product, at the right price, and the right quality.
Thank you to our Swartz Center Patrons
