Duquesne New Venture Challenge Winner

The School of Business hosted its annual Duquesne New Venture Challenge (DNVC) during the 2023–2024 academic year. Now in its fifth year, this national entrepreneurship competition has garnered increased attention for its commitment to fostering innovation and supporting 
early-stage startups with incredible potential. 

Open to companies less than four years old, the DNVC offers entrepreneurs a unique platform to present their innovations, receive expert mentorship, and vie for over $100,000 in cash prizes and resources that could propel their ventures to new heights.

Groundbreaking ideas and inspiring entrepreneurial spirit marked this year’s competition. After competing in Stages I and II, five finalists moved on to the final round, presenting to a panel of industry experts in the Louis D. Mallet Entrepreneurship Zone in Rockwell Hall.

Aquatonomy was named as the overall winner of the 2023–2024 DNVC, a startup that has developed an autonomous robotic inspection solution for underwater applications. The firm’s cutting-edge technology accelerates inspection and repair processes, mitigates risks to human workers, and ensures vital infrastructure safety. The innovative team behind Aquatonomy includes Dr. Michael Kaess, Dr. Xiaoyu Kaess, and Jane K. Joseph, a proud 2012 graduate of Duquesne University. Their impressive win earned them 1st place prize money of $20,000.

We are thrilled to share that after winning the 2023–2024 DNVC, Aquatonomy was named one of ten “Startups to Watch 2024” by the Pittsburgh Business Times. 

The DNVC also recognized four other exceptional startups that showcased their innovative approaches to pressing challenges:

• 2nd place: Revitalize Energy, winning $10,000 for its energizing eyedrops designed to alleviate screen fatigue. 
• 3rd place: VELO.Ai, winning $5,000 for its audio and visual alert system to enhance cyclists’ situational awareness. 
• 4th place: Flowcellutions, winning $3,000 for its diagnostic solutions that optimize the longevity and efficiency of flow batteries. 
• 5th place: dashcam.bike, winning $3,000 for its innovative approach for transforming a smartphone into a high-quality bike camera that promotes safety for cyclists. 

In addition to cash prizes, the top three teams received up to 10 hours of free legal education from Duquesne’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, up to 15 hours of free consulting from Duquesne’s Small Business Development Center, and up to five hours of advisement with the School’s 
Entrepreneurship program leaders to discuss funding strategies and connect with regional funding sources.

For more information about the DNVC competition, contact Staci Offutt, Director, Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship at offuttsFREEDUQUESNE.

Getting to know these teams and their businesses throughout the competition is a true privilege. Supporting their development and growth is a wonderful part of the DNVC. I look forward to stewarding in the next group of innovators for the 2024–2025 Duquesne New Venture Challenge.

The DNVC exemplifies the School of Business’s dedication to fostering difference-making innovation and entrepreneurship. The 2024–2025 Duquesne New Venture Challenge launches in the Fall Semester. Stay tuned for details.

Header Image: Jane Joseph (B’12), Taylor Pool, Dr. Michael Kaess, and Duquesne’s Staci Offutt