StartUp Showcase logo

Thursday, April 25, 2024

It All Starts With an Idea

Five student teams make their business pitch live and compete for seed funding.
Weren't able to join live? Watch the 2023 Fairfield StartUp Showcase video below.

2024 StartUp Teams

 

Financially

Financially is a comprehensive, no-cost financial wellness app that collaborates with users, no matter their prior financial knowledge, providing personalized tips and simplified financial education to support the development of a secure financial future.

Team members: Jack Fetzer '25, Logan McAloon '25, Lucy Fowler '25, Lili Meddahi '25, and Jack Raisides '25.

StartUp 2024 | Team - Financially | Fairfield University

Misfits of the Sea

Misfits of the Sea is the future of trophy sportfishing, through innovative lure designs MOTS empowers anglers to catch trophy-class fish on light tackle.

Team members: Duncan Hathaway '24, Cian O Donnell MSBA '25, and Kyler Erezuma '24.

StartUp 2024 | Team - Misfits of the Sea | Fairfield University

Wave Creations

Wave Creations is a beach lifestyle brand that aspires to build a community of beach lovers and adventure enthusiasts who share our deep passion for exploring the world. Dedicated to delivering our customers a piece of the beach regardless of their location.

Team members: Paige Governale '27 and Madison Governale '26.

StartUp 2024 | Team - Wave Creations | Fairfield University

Pathway Pro

PathwayPro is an empowering tool for higher-ed students that bridges the gap between career and curriculum, using comprehensive insights for efficient course planning, career readiness, and progress tracking.

Team members: Faizah Chowdhury, '25, Nicholas Sordi '23, MSBA '24, and Mishal Qureshi '26.

StartUp 2024 | Team - Pathway Pro | Fairfield University

Higher Skills

Higher Skills is a student-focused SaaS platform that leverages reactive AI and machine learning to refine essential soft skills for workplace success. Our immersive simulations analyze students' abilities while providing personalized insights to elevate their careers.

Team members: Matthew Briceño, Charles Langdon '24, Katie Tennant, Simba Chen, Zachary Robichaux, and PJ Strahm.

StartUp 2024 | Team - Higher Skills | Fairfield University

2024 Investor Panel

Photo of Joseph Bronson

Joseph Bronson '70

Joseph R. (Joe) Bronson is currently Chief Executive Officer and Principal of, The Bronson Group, LLC., a business advisory group focused on operational and financial consulting, which was founded in 2011.

More About Joe

Photo of Chris Hillock

Chris Hillock '00

Chris leads the portfolio development function for Dell Technologies Capital, the venture capital arm of Dell Technologies.

More About Chris

Photo of Jamie Ramerini ‘13

Jamie Ramerini ‘13

Jamie Ramerini is Chief Operating Officer of COMPEL CEOs, a thriving family business. Jamie Ramerini brings a wealth of experience and a strategic vision that propels the company forward.

More About Jamie

Photo of Mindee Blanco P’24

Mindee Blanco P’24

Mindee is Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of Barnum Financial Group. Barnum Financial Group is an award-winning firm with over 500 advisors & associates serving 280,000 clients across the country.

More About Mindee

Photo of Thomas M. Scalera '93

Thomas M. Scalera '93

Mr. Scalera is Chief Executive Officer of Delticus Group. He is the former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ITT Inc., a $3 billion global manufacturer of engineered solutions for the Industrial, Energy, and Transportation markets.

More About Thomas

StartUp Host

Photo of Host Mariana Antaya '23

Mariana Antaya '23

Mariana is a product manager at Microsoft Teams and founder of quantifAI - a fintech startup that commenced at Fairfield Startup in 2022. She actively mentors on product management, big tech and startups on Tik Tok and in her online community Product House.

Team Mentors

Jeff Hendrickson

Prog Mentor - Financially, MOTS, Wave Creations, PathwayPro

Contact Jeff

Marty Donner

Prog Mentor - PathwayPro, HigherSkills

Contact Marty

Peter Murrugarra

Prog Mentor / Advisor

Contact Peter

Mike Roer

Prog Mentor / Advisor

Contact Mike

Chip Steppacher

Mentor - Financially

Contact Chip

Kaitlin Walsh

Mentor - MOTS

Keith Morris

Mentor - Wave Creations

Contact Keith

Lorenzo Gaudioso

Mentor - Financially, Wave Creations

Contact Lorenzo

Steven Crowley

Mentor - Financially

Steven Lisa

Phil Grabfield

Mentor - Wave Creations, MOTS

Contact Phil

Stanislav Vavilov

Mentor - HigherSkills

Carl Scheraga

Mentor

Matt Miller

Advisor

Contact Matt

George Kalan

Advisor

Contact George

Stephen Dierks

Advisor

Contact Stephen

Lisa Geremia

Advisor

Contact Lisa

Celine King

Mentor / Prog Alum

Contact Celine

Christian O'Rourke

Mentor / Prog Alum

Contact Christian

Emily Yale

Mentor / Prog Alum

Contact Emily

Enadi Pasholli

Mentor / Prog Alum

Contact Enadi

Mariana Antaya

Mentor / Prog Alum

Contact Mariana

Winston Demartini

Mentor / Prog Alum

Contact Winston

Kaitlin Walsh

Mentor / Prog Alum

2023 Sponsors

Gold Sponsors
  • Phoenix Tower logo
  • Hugh Davis '95 and Amy Baldwin
  • Joseph '70 and Linda Bronson
  • Trish Preston ’80
  • Susan and Charles Vallone P’21
  • John P. Welch ’87
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Partners