Steven Dorfman Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Past New Venture Winners

2023 New Venture Fair

The New Venture Fair 2023 showcased 69 student-led startup projects, including 37 from Cal Lutheran’s undergraduate, graduate, and Executive MBA in Europe programs, in addition to 31 high school teams from Bakersfield Christian High School, Newbury Park High School, Oaks Christian School, Thousand Oaks High School, and a middle school team from OCS.

We also had a special award for participating BUS 151 classes called the Elevator Pitch Award. These students formed teams, identified a problem, came up with a solution, and created an elevator pitch video.

Some of this year's teams included:
🩺 a connected device to streamline the hospital patient experience;
📈 a platform that enables sustainable investments;
♻️ a marketplace for environmentally-conscious fashion;
🚲 a product that converts peddling power into electrical power so no watts are wasted; 🎨 a platform for creators to find and support each other;
🚀 a platform to connect first-time founders with startup resources;
🏋️ a fitness and wellness app to cultivate a like-minded community;
🚽 an app to find a toilet no matter where you are;
🥛 protein powder and other physical products like ,
🍭 vitamin lollipops,
⚡️ energy drinks,
and MANY MORE!

The community, students, staff, and faculty were invited to circulate the room, meet the teams, learn about their startup ideas, and vote for their favorites. We handed out $18,000 worth of prizes at the end of the evening.

NVF Overview 2023

2023 Awards
Prize	Team	Startup Idea	Members	Prize $
Prize Best Executive Summary (CLU)	Team Embracelet	Startup Idea A connected device and software that streamlines the hospital experience for patients and heathcare professionals	Members Michael Brandl, Christoph Etzlinger, Carmen Hinterobermaier, Tamara Mayrhofer	Prize $ $500
Prize Best Executive Summary (HS)	Team Skijet	Startup Idea An emergency release that releases a snowboarder from their board without having to come in contact with the bindings	Members Charlie Crispin, Izzy Martinez, Isaiah Seck, Chase Thomas, Cy Mitchel, Gavin Saint	Prize $ $300
Prize Best Brochure (CLU)	Team GoVoltify	Startup Idea An indoor cycling trainer that generates electricity	Members Alexandra Dober, Johannes Eregger, Christoph Glanzer, Marvin Lassnig, Jana Morgenstern, Gernot Zenz	Prize $ $500
Prize Best Brochure (HS)	Team Poppy	Startup Idea Maintain relationships throughout any stage of life	Members Emily Bishop, Kendall Chao	Prize $ $300
Prize Best Sign (CLU)	Team GoVoltify	Startup Idea An indoor cycling trainer that generates electricity	Members Alexandra Dober, Johannes Eregger, Christoph Glanzer, Marvin Lassnig, Jana Morgenstern, Gernot Zenz	Prize $ $500
Prize Best Sign (HS)	Team CyberSpace Academy	Startup Idea Making learning more hands on and immersive using VR technology	Members Jake Dellacort, Diego Perry, Jane De Guzman	Prize $ $500
Prize Best Recorded Pitch Video (CLU)	Team Embracelet	Startup Idea A connected device and software that streamlines the hospital experience for patients and heathcare professionals	Members Michael Brandl, Christoph Etzlinger, Carmen Hinterobermaier, Tamara Mayrhofer	Prize $ $500
Prize Best Recorded Pitch Video (HS)	Team Necros Pack Designs	Startup Idea Packs for ultra backpackers that are fully custom and made to fit perfectly to any body type	Members Brayden Stewart, Kyle Berg, Ian	Prize $ $300
Prize Best Team (CLU track)	Team Embracelet	Startup Idea A connected device and software that streamlines the hospital experience for patients and heathcare professionals	Members Michael Brandl, Christoph Etzlinger, Carmen Hinterobermaier, Tamara Mayrhofer	Prize $ $1,000
Prize Best Team (CLU track)	Team GoVoltify	Startup Idea An indoor cycling trainer that generates electricity	Members Alexandra Dober, Johannes Eregger, Christoph Glanzer, Marvin Lassnig, Jana Morgenstern, Gernot Zenz	Prize $ $1,000
Prize Best Team (CLU track)	Team FoundersApp	Startup Idea A one-stop shop for all your entrepreneurial needs	Members Avery Conrad, Christina Whyte, Jiangong Wen	Prize $ $1,000
Prize Best Team (CLU track)	Team Ecohaus Builders	Startup Idea Helps you build a sustainable home and plan your carbon-neutral future	Members Trausti Osvaldsson, Allan Tran	Prize $ $1,000
Prize Best Team (CLU track)	Team HortiTech	Startup Idea AgTech that enables farmers to filter agricultural wastewater while extracting ammonia to make fertilizer	Members Andrea Villasenor, Zaria Opara, Emma Sweeney, Caroline Brook	Prize $ $1,000
Prize Best Team (CLU track)	Team Tiny Connections	Startup Idea Platform connecting small businesses and consumers	Members Kiara Zobelein, Brissa Castaneda, Anthony Ciccarelli	Prize $ $1,000
Prize Best Team (CLU track)	Team Wayside Energy	Startup Idea A hyper scalable battery energy storage system that rethinks design, manufacturing, deployment, and recycling	Members James Werbe	Prize $ $1,000
Prize Best Startup for Good	Team Wayside Energy	Startup Idea A hyper scalable battery energy storage system that rethinks design, manufacturing, deployment, and recycling	Members James Werbe	Prize $ $1,000
Prize People's Choice (CLU)	Team The Rack Company	Startup Idea Solar-powered, 24/7, 360 degree monitored bike rack	Members Rama Khader, Gordon Richardson, Nick Kenny	Prize $ $500
Prize People's Choice (HS)	Team Skijet	Startup Idea An emergency release that releases a snowboarder from their board without having to come in contact with the bindings	Members Charlie Crispin, Izzy Martinez, Isaiah Seck, Chase Thomas, Cy Mitchel, Gavin Saint	Prize $ $300
Prize People's Choice (HS)	Team Blackwater Co.	Startup Idea Dive light gloves make diving more convenient and safer	Members Ashley Young, Sam Horiuchi	Prize $ $300
Prize Best Elevator Pitch (BUS151)	Team FlushFinder	Startup Idea Providing access to free, easy-to-use public restrooms near you	Members Dylan Turner, Cole Rushforth, Ariana Gharagozlow	Prize $ $500
Prize Best Elevator Pitch (BUS151)	Team Lifter	Startup Idea Connect with other gym goers and become more active	Members Jacqueline Brandon, Nicolas Calderone, Reya Maestas	Prize $ $300
Prize Best Team (HS track)	Team Scoop	Startup Idea Dessert delivered to your doorstep	Members Kaden Korver, Leonardo Concepcion	Prize $ $300
Prize Best Team (HS track)	Team Fine Lines	Startup Idea Using AI technology to read documents, summarize contracts, and alert you of possible loopholes	Members Ethan Bayer, Kayla Robinson, Trenton Brooks	Prize $ $300
Prize Best Team (HS track)	Team Sunny Co	Startup Idea Sustainable, bio-friendly suncare products	Members Skylar Perry, Makena Sartore, Rosslyn Gore, Alazay Aparicio	Prize $ $300
Prize Best Team (HS track)	Team Digi Swap	Startup Idea Platform where users can buy, sell, and swap their in-game items with others for a small fee	Members Riley Coners, Brooks Smith	Prize $ $300
Prize Best Team (HS track)	Team Eleven Productions	Startup Idea Enabling creators to grow and sustain successful careers	Members Avi Sobel	Prize $ $300
Prize Best MVP	Team Lyfe Local	Startup Idea Helping people get out of their heads and enjoy the world around them through connections and reinforcing positive behavior	Members Ethan Craig, Maylee Murillo	Prize $ $2,500