Eight Broad entrepreneur students spearheading innovation, advancing to be semifinalists in MSU’s Premier Pitch Competition

Across multiple fields, from medical and sustainability technology, to food science and innovation, start-ups led by students from the Broad College of Business have proven that powerful venture ideas can make an impact. As these emerging entrepreneurs advance to the semifinalists round of the 2026 Burgess New Venture Challenge (BNVC), they will have to convince a panel of judges that their ideas are worth $50,000 in investment funding prizes. 

The BNVC is a premier pitch competition hosted by the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, where MSU students will compete in a transformational experience and bring their venture ideas to the public. Since 2012, the Burgess Institute has been the central incubator for more than 3,000 ambitious Spartans with bold ideas. The program provides close mentorship, development resources, and relevant connections that open doors, helping MSU students turn classroom knowledge into tangible innovation through collaboration and development.

Here are the Broad semifinalists:

Q2Systems

Nthanda Manduwi, MBA ’26, Alvaro Anaenugwu, mechanical engineering senior, College of Engineering

Q2 is building engines that integrate real-world systems, digital twins, and simulation engines into a single adaptive ecosystem—enabling communities, institutions, and operators to design, test, and scale smarter infrastructure.

MemorySketch

Angela Leach, MBA ’27, Jackson Simkins, finance junior, Griffin Reis (B.A. Advertising Management ‘25), Caraline Kitchen (B.A. ’25)

Memory Sketch provides families, caregivers, physicians and researchers with real-time, non-invasive and highly accurate quantifiable data to treat early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, using real-time tracking of patient drawings, referencing research databases, and comparing drawings using artificial intelligence.

Nanners

Evan Hackstock, finance senior

Protein Banana Bread Bites is focused on strong nutrition and an indulgent flavor, with clean and simple ingredients. 

Single Scoop Vending

David Lalaj, supply chain management junior, David Heyn, economics senior, College of Social Science

A smart vending solution offering single-scoop servings of top supplement brands, providing convenience and variety.

Voltz

Abram Gingrass, management junior 

Electrolyte oral lip pouches, delivering hydration in as little as 30 seconds.

J. Margaret

Jillian Whitley, marketing senior 

A gold-filled jewelry brand offering modern takes on classic pieces, designed with durability in mind and to be worn with confidence, every day and on any occasion.

From data-driven digital infrastructures that simulate real-world systems, to revolutionizing how we collect information about Alzehmer’s patients, to oral lip pouches fast-tracking hydration to fuel your performance, these ventures are proof that classrooms are not just knowledge hubs, but welcoming environments that unite like-minded individuals together to build, grow, and bring cutting-edge business ideas into reality. 

“With Burgess, the ‘hows’ get clearer and you have a hand to hold,” Nthanda Manduwi, co-founder of Q2 Systems, said. “As long as people know that you are part of that community, they’re able to support you.”

These student start-ups are essential to fostering an environment for MSU’s future leaders and entrepreneurs. Each venture is the result of countless hours of development and product testing, but more importantly, a passion to create change that is meaningful to the co-founders. 

Co-founders of both Single Scoop Vending and Voltz share a passion for health and fitness, with each venture bringing a new solution to an age-old problem: improving athletic performance.

David Heyn identified a gap in the market: there was no convenient single-dose supplement option available in gyms, and fitness enthusiasts lacked a way to try new flavors without committing to purchasing a full tub.

“No matter what we do, you continue to cramp because your body just can’t keep up with it,” Heyn said. “So, looking at what the market has for current hydration, why is there not a solution when it’s such a common occurring problem?”

Angela Leach shared her background that motivated her to create MemorySketch along with her other co-founders. Her family history of Alzheimer’s disease has compelled her to find a better way to give power back to patients in treatment and their caretakers. 

“Because Alzheimer’s disease changes so differently in every person, having these data points every day can empower the caregiver, empower planning, and bring back autonomy to your own health,” Leach said. “As someone who’s high-risk myself, I want to build a world where I can be proactive about my health.”

Fostering close collaboration between students across campus has been Burgess Institute’s greatest strength. “That’s a resource that I think people overlook,” Heyn said. “Being able to find like-minded people at school, that was huge.” 

The competition will be held on Thursday, Apr. 9 at the Marriott East Lansing at University Place, as a part of the 517 Entrepreneurship + Innovation Week.

The showcase is open to the public and starts at 4:00 PM.