The Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts (DEC) awarded three undergraduate students the Paul and Elizabeth Montle Prize for Entrepreneurial Achievement in recognition of their outstanding entrepreneurial passion, knowledge, and skills.
The annual prize includes three monetary awards: “The Senior Award” ($15,000), “Most Progress in a New Venture” ($10,000), and “Best Demonstration of Grit” ($10,000). “The Senior Award” recognizes a graduating student who has shown strong personal growth in their entrepreneurial mindset and skillset since their freshman year, while the “Most Progress in a New Venture” and “Best Demonstration of Grit” awards recognize a commitment to progress in an entrepreneurial venture and overall entrepreneurial grit respectively.
This year’s winners are as follows:
“The Senior Award” ($15,000) – Julia Giatrelis, A24
“Most Progress in a New Venture” ($10,000) – João Pedro de Medeiros, A26
“Best Demonstration of Grit ($10,000) – Madison Page, E27
Each of this year’s Montle Prize recipients was recognized for their outstanding commitment to their causes and impressive applications of the entrepreneurial mindset and skillset. Julia Giatrelis has launched GlutenFreedomForAll, a company which curates gluten-free snack packs that provide a simple, on-the-go option for gluten-free consumers. João Pedro de Medeiros recently held a fashion show launch for his clothing brand JAMP, which focuses on using 100% sustainable Brazilian textiles and a commitment to ethical labor practices. Madison Page took home second place in the 2023 Ideas Competition for her pitch for Lynx, an AI-based screening tool for canine skin cancer.
The Montle Prize for Entrepreneurial Achievement was established by the late Paul Montle, an alumnus of Tufts University’s Class of 1969, to support students as they become leaders in business and nonprofit sectors. The honor celebrates innovative thinking and expertise gained through entrepreneurship courses, co-curricular events, competitions, and working in a startup.
Recipients of the Montle Prize accept a future commitment to give back to Tufts University, with many going on to compete in the $100k New Ventures Competition.
This year’s selection committee included:
Elaine Chen, Cummings Family Professor of the Practice in Entrepreneurship and Director, Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts
Kevin Oye, Executive Director, Tufts Gordon Institute; Director, MS in Innovation & Management Program; Professor of the Practice
Christopher Swan, Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Dean of Undergraduate Education, Tufts University School of Engineering
To learn more about The Paul and Elizabeth Montle Prize for Entrepreneurial Achievement, visit: https://derbyecenter.tufts.edu/competitions/montle-prize
