The DNVC is hosted annually by the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business at Duquesne University. The three-stage business plan competition is open to companies nationwide that are less than four years old. It serves as a platform for early-stage startups to showcase their innovations, receive mentorship, and compete for cash prizes and valuable resources.
Congratulations to the 2024-2025 DNVC Finalists
- Clean Plate Innovations* – A machine-learning-enabled waste-stream solution that captures and aggregates data, cutting cafeteria food waste and saving money.
- EASI – A medical device used in microsurgery vessel repair that makes complex reconstruction a more accessible procedure.
- PinPointDX – A medical lab device to collect, preprocess and test high-quality, standardized blood samples for improved point-of-care diagnostics.
- Pittsburgh Coastal Energy* – Portable underwater charging solutions for unmanned underwater drones powered by ocean waves.
- Reclamation Factory, Inc. – Plastics recycling micro-factories that directly produce high-quality, manufacture-ready source materials from hard-to-recycle plastic trash.
All finalists will have access to the following resources as they complete their full business plans:
- Bob's Launch Pad, a makerspace with prototyping equipment in Duquesne's Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship
- 15 free hours of consultation with an assigned Duquesne University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) mentor tailored to their specific business needs
- Free access to Palo Alto's LivePlan®, the world's leading business plan software designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
The winner will be announced at a private awards reception in late April.
Congratulations to our Semi-Finalists and Best Video Pitch winners
The following semi-finalists, listed alphabetically, will advance to the next round of the DNVC. Seven semi-finalists include Duquesne alumni and/or students, as noted with an asterisk (*).
- *Aneurisk – AI-driven platform providing data-driven, rupture risk assessments and predictive growth modeling for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
- *Best Possible – AI-enabled platform that minimizes medication discrepancies and errors by improving the manual process of medication review.
- *Clean Plate Innovations – Uses machine learning to capture and aggregate data to cut restaurant food waste and save money.
- Cornucopia AI – A marketplace of advanced innovative solutions where developers can showcase their AI products and market them to small- and medium-sized businesses.
- EASI – A medical device used in microsurgery vessel repair that makes complex reconstruction a more accessible procedure.
- ecotera health – Affordable home detection kit and mobile app to monitor microplastic exposure in water.
- Galen Health – Using AI to build the first effective early detection system for pancreatic cancer.
- *LungLogixs – Enhances medication delivery for asthmatic patient inhalers, efficiently targeting the lungs while minimizing user error for improved precision and reliability.
- Malleous – Creating a surgical instrument that combines suction and retraction tools into one device; increases operative efficiency and reduces operative time and risks.
- Mito Robotics – AI-powered system that cultures cells in large volumes on demand, accelerating discoveries and reducing costs for more consistent and efficient research.
- PinPointDX – Creating a device to collect, preprocess and test high-quality, standardized blood samples for improved point-of-care diagnostics.
- Pittsburgh Coastal Energy* – Developing portable underwater charging solutions for unmanned underwater drones powered by using ocean waves.
- Reclamation Factory, Inc. – Plastics recycling micro-factories that directly produce high-quality and manufacture-ready source materials from hard-to-recycle plastic trash.
- *SCANA – Revolutionizing wound care with an innovative mobile platform that integrates advanced 3D imaging and artificial intelligence.
- *Emergencool – Creating a device that brings down the temperature of a first- or second-degree burn while mitigating pain experienced from the scene to the hospital.
The three entrants and semi-finalists receiving cash prizes for “Best Video Pitch” include:
- 1st place $1,500: Mito Robotics
- 2nd place $1,000: Reclamation Factory
- 3rd place $500: Clean Plate Innovations
Important Dates:
- Submissions Open: August 26, 2024
- Stage I materials due: November 17, 2024
- Teams notified of Stage I results: January 6, 2025 (via email)
- Stage II materials due: February 16, 2025
- Teams notified of Stage II results: March 3, 2025 (via email)
- Stage III materials due: April 6, 2025
- Finalist presentations in person: April 13, 2025
- Winners announced at DNVC Reception and Award Ceremony: April 24, 2025
Important Entry and Eligibility Information
- Each entering team will be assessed by the DNVC Competition Committee for compliance with DNVC rules and eligibility requirements.•While the competition is focused on the greater Pittsburgh region, anyone in the continental United States is encouraged to apply. Please note that travel-related costs (e.g., airfare, lodging, etc.) are not covered by the DNVC.
- Teams must designate a leader who will be the primary point of contact with DNVC staff.
- No Duquesne University affiliation needed for Stages I and II.
- Teams that advance to Stage III must include at least one member affiliated with Duquesne University. DNVC staff stand ready to assist and facilitate recruiting team members for contestants advancing to Stage III. A six-member team is permitted at Stage III if a Duquesne affiliated member must be added to a five-person team. A current student, staff member, faculty member and/or a graduate of the Duquesne University will be referred to teams who need an affiliate team member in Stage III.
- Contestants are ineligible to participate in the DNVC if, by the Stage I submission deadline any legally registered entity associated with the entry has been in place for more than four (4) years, (e.g., as a corporation, partnership, or LLC). Teams will be required to certify adherence to this requirement as part of their Stage 1 submission process.
- Contestants are not required to be a legally registered business entity.
- Business concepts must not violate any local, state or federal laws, including federal patent, trademark and copyright laws.
- Business concepts must not violate Duquesne University’s mission and values. At their sole discretion, the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business and Duquesne University reserve the right to disqualify entrants whose submissions are believed to be contrary to the University’s Catholic, Spiritan values
How the DNVC works
Teams submit a one-minute video pitch via YouTube link and a business summary of up to 500 words (1 page maximum) in PDF format. Graphics may be used in both the video pitch and business summary. A screening committee will then evaluate these pitches and summaries to select up to fifteen (15) semi-finalist teams. In addition, pitches will be evaluated for best video for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes. DNVC Committee selects up to 15 semi-finalist teams to advance to Stage II.
Thank you to our partners
. 