Student Entrepreneurs Soar at Penn State Pitch Competition
Penn State students from Engineering 310 shine at the LaunchBox and Nittany Entrepreneurs Society Pitch Contest
On April 16th, the Innovation Hub buzzed with energy as more than 100 students, faculty, and local business leaders gathered for the LaunchBox and Nittany Entrepreneurs Society pitch contest. The competition showcased the bold ideas and entrepreneurial spirit of Penn State’s brightest minds—and two standout projects from the Engineering 310 (ENGR 310) class took home top honors.
First place, with a prize of $3,500, went to Benjamin Miller for his venture Andromeda Aerospace. Focused on the future of space travel, Andromeda Aerospace is developing in-space transportation vehicles that provide small satellite operators—like university teams and space startups—access to higher orbits and even the Moon.
“Small satellites have enormous potential, but they’re limited by where they can go,” said Miller. “At Andromeda, we’re changing that by giving them the transportation they need to reach higher and go further.”
Miller credits ENGR 310 with helping him gain the confidence and entrepreneurial know-how to take his concept from idea to pitch-ready venture. “The support from the Entrepreneurship program has been incredible—both inside and outside of the classroom. Plus, the Product Innovation Microgrant I received was a real boost!”
Second place, and a $2,000 prize, was awarded to Joanna Kieran-Mendez and Edrea Burgwin for Tatted Valley, a tattoo convention born from a love of ink, creativity, and community. Their venture brings tattoo artists, students, and local vendors together in Happy Valley, providing a platform for artistry, networking, and cultural celebration.
“This isn’t just a convention—it’s a space to connect, create, and celebrate tattoo culture in a way that feels local and inclusive,” said Kieran-Mendez.
Professor Frank Koe who teaches Entrepreneurial Leadership, expressed pride in the student success:
“I was incredibly pleased that the 1st place prize went to a student in one of my 310 classes and the 2nd place to students in my other class. There’s little that substitutes for having one’s idea positively reinforced like winning a pitch contest—it confirms the potential and energizes students for the challenges ahead.”
He also emphasized the importance of presentation preparation:
“I stress to my students how crucial it is to rehearse—not just the content, but the way it’s delivered. The Tatted Valley team used role-playing as a rehearsal strategy, which helped them anticipate and answer questions with clarity and confidence.”
The success of these ENGR 310 students is a testament to what’s possible when innovation meets preparation. If you’re ready to take your ideas beyond the classroom and into the real world, now is the time to act. Join the next wave of entrepreneurs at Penn State—where bold ideas turn into real-world ventures. Learn more about Engineering Entrepreneurship programs and start your journey today.
