From colorful displays to high-stakes presentations, the 10th annual Spring Pitch Competition buzzed with energy, ambition and the hustle of tomorrow’s top entrepreneurs.
Held in the Donald S. and Johnna F. Grant Atrium of Crawford Hall, the event spotlighted student-led businesses ranging from menswear brands to catering services, all competing for startup funds and recognition.
Among the standout presenters was Angelique Wong, a master’s student in the School of Emerging Media and Technology. Wong took third place and earned a $2,000 prize for Angie’s Sweets & Treats, her business born from a love of hospitality and creative presentation.
The company specializes in charcuterie boards, grazing tables and dessert setups for weddings, parties and corporate events. Wong’s entrepreneurial spirit stretches far beyond snacks.
“I actually have more than one business,” she said. “I have a clothing brand, a marketing agency and I used to do charcuterie just because I feel like food makes people appreciate it, especially because it’s in the evening. The least you can do is provide something to eat.”
She said what began as a family favor quickly turned into a fast-moving enterprise.
“I went home, did some numbers, put it on Facebook and started to get orders,” she said. “Then somebody asked me if I would do a table, and I was like, ‘I literally have no idea how to do that.’ Me, Pinterest and Google are gonna work together.”
Since its soft launch in March 2024, Angie’s Sweets & Treats has catered over 150 events across the region. Wong said she now dreams of growing the business into a full-time career, complete with a prep space and a collaborative studio for other local vendors.
“I’m in this weird limbo where I’m like, do I go back to full-time work or do I find a way to pay my bills and keep building what I’ve started?” she said. “If I win this, I could literally do that — next month.”
Nat Foote, another contestant and sophomore accounting major, earned the Promising Idea Award and $1,000 for his fashion brand startup, Saint Pierre.
His company focuses on contemporary menswear for young adults, specializing in sleek, stylish wholesale pieces for boutiques and customized garments for businesses designed to be fashion-forward, well-made and timeless.
“We’re in the process right now of getting our summer collection out,” Foote said. “Any fashion brand that wants to be taken seriously has to be on the fashion schedule, and this prize allows us to start production and pitch to buyers months in advance.”
With a clear focus on business-to-business distribution, Foote is intent on changing how branded merchandise is perceived. He said his garments are intentionally designed to feel both high-quality and nostalgic, bridging the gap between streetwear and classic tailoring.
“A lot of stuff you get from Champion and other stores focuses on volume,” he said. “They’re ill-fitting; they’re disproportionate. We want to show our ability to not only produce clothing but to sell it well and make it fashionable.”
Although this was Foote’s first-ever pitch competition, he said he embraced the experience fully.
“This is actually my first semester here,” he said. “I saw the opportunity and went for it. I think it really lit that fire within me to go after what I want and what I want for my business.”
Foote was appreciative of the opportunity to showcase all he could about his brand, and no matter the circumstances, he said he wants to keep moving forward in the business world as a young entrepreneur.
Helping guide competitors behind the scenes was Nick Petrella, a seasoned coach with over 25 years in the industry and a deep understanding of presentation and public speaking. Petrella was one of several mentors who worked closely with students to refine their pitches and build confidence on stage.
“My focus was on performance,” Petrella said. “The idea is for them to be calm, to give their ideas in a cogent way and to help people understand them.”
For Petrella, the ability to pitch is about more than just a strong business model — it’s about self-belief and the courage to own your vision.
“Nobody knows themselves better than themselves,” he said. “They have to go out there and sell it, believe in themselves and exude passion, because if they don’t, nobody is gonna do it for them.”
Evan Schofield is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
