LaunchPad Announces 2023 ’Cuse Tank Winners
Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad (LaunchPad) hosted its annual ’Cuse Tank entrepreneurial competition on Friday, November 3 during Family Weekend in Bird Library. There were more than 35 student entrepreneurs participating from various schools and colleges across campus in a “Shark-Tank” style business pitch in front of a panel of judges consisting of Syracuse University parents and subject matter experts. The judges selected three winning teams this year, each receiving $10,000:
- Shooka, founded by Natasha Brao ’22 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) G’24 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management)
Shooka is a consumer-packaged goods brand that celebrates the mixing and melding of cultural cuisines to promote creative, adaptable cooking and bringing new experiences to the modern table. Inspired by the classic dish Shakshuka enjoyed in many Mediterranean cultures, Shooka makes creative variations that allow you to experience the dish at home. Founder Natasha Brau has solidified the contractual relationship with her co-packer and is hoping to launch her first line by the end of Q4 with the funds awarded in 'Cuse Tank.
- Marhold Space Systems, founded by Frank Marin ’23 (College of Engineering and Computer Science) G’24 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management)
Marhold Space Systems, LLC is a space manufacturing company that is developing technology to assist in building long term in-space sustainable growth. They will be providing services through novel methods for Active Debris Removal, On-Orbit Servicing and In-Space Manufacturing. Through designs and novel methodology, Marhold Space Systems promote safer interactions with debris by minimizing contact with uncooperative objects. They will utilize the prize money for astrodynamics software to validate their debris removal methodology.
- IconnHost, founded by Waqar Hussain G’24 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management)
IconnHost is a fully managed cloud hosting platform, engineered with proprietary software that crafts tailored hosting solutions at a click. They offer subject matter experts a streamlined cloud server management solution, enabling them to easily deploy and scale their digital products on dedicated cloud platforms. IconnHost will use the prize money to invest in product development, the latest technology to improve performance, scalability and automation, marketing and to build out their infrastructure and operations team.
This year’s prizes were generously donated by: Corey Lieblein ’93, parent Ajay Nagpal, and Andrew ’79 and Linda Schwartz.
This year’s judges included:
- Jack Adler ’23, CEO of Out2Win Sports
- Melinda Dermody, Associate Dean of Academic Success, Syracuse University Libraries
- Ana Gil, Owner Ana Gil Studios
- Corey Lieblein, CEO of CP8 Capital
- Ajay Nagpal, President and COO Millenium
- David Reed ’83, Champion Products
- Kira Crawford, Technology Consultant
- Tyrin Fernandes ’20, Entrepreneur
- Karla Lellis JD’25, Legal Compliance Specialist
- Lee McKnight, Faculty, School of Information Studies
- Kate Oja, Associate Director of ERIE21, Le Moyne College
- Mark Wassersug, Former COO Intercontinental Exchange
About Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone :
The Blackstone LaunchPad is Syracuse University’s innovation hub, connecting the campus resource-rich ecosystem with a global network that provides support for aspiring entrepreneurs, inventors and creators. The program serves faculty, staff, students and recent alumni across all disciplines who are interested in entrepreneurship, venture creation and innovation careers. The program supports a key pillar of Syracuse University’s academic strategic plan to give students experiential opportunities that help prepare them to be trailblazers in an entrepreneurial world.