2024-2025 Duquesne New Venture Challenge Semi-Finalists Announced

 Now in its sixth year, the three-stage competition is open to all types of business plans and showcases innovative startup ideas from the Pittsburgh region and beyond. 
 
“Once again, the DNVC set a new record, with more than 150 entries received from entrepreneurs in 21 states,” said Palumbo-Donahue School of Business Dean Dr. Dean McFarlin. "We received nearly 80 entries from Duquesne students representing five schools on campus, including business. These milestones are a testament to the scope, impact and recognition the DNVC has achieved since launching in 2019. The entrants for 2024-2025 are a diverse group of dynamic startups, each showcasing ideas that reflect the School's difference-making ethos."
 
During the first stage of the DNVC, entrants submitted written summaries of their ideas along with a one-minute "elevator pitch" video. Judges considered all aspects of each entry before winnowing the pool to 15 semi-finalist teams, identifying the top three "elevator pitch" videos in the process.
 
"We are continually amazed by the interest, effort and engagement from startup teams in the DNVC," said Staci Offutt, director of Duquesne’s Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship. "Having a record number of entries year after year underscores the support that early-stage ventures require to help them reach important milestones and get to the next level." 
 
The following semi-finalists, listed alphabetically, will advance to the next round of the DNVC. Five 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
 
All semi-finalist teams will receive free access to LivePlan, a business planning product, courtesy of Palo Alto Software. For the second stage of the competition, semi-finalist teams must submit an executive summary, a short business plan and a five-minute video pitch. Upon submitting these materials, each team will receive $1,000 for participating. 
 
Up to five finalist teams will be selected to advance to the third stage of the competition, which offers $41,000 in cash as well as service prizes. The DNVC boasts a top prize of $20,000 for the first-place winner. Finalists will have access to the resources of DNVC's sponsors, including Duquesne's Small Business Development Center, Thomas R. Kline School of Law and Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship, as they work to advance their businesses and prepare for the final stage of the competition. 
 
Final presentations will occur at the Louis D. Mallet Entrepreneurship Zone on Duquesne's campus in Spring 2025. DNVC winners will be announced at an awards reception in April 2025.