Recipients of 2025 Montle Prize Announced
The Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts (DEC) awarded three undergraduate students the Paul and Elizabeth Montle Prize for Entrepreneurial Achievement in recognition of their commitment, passion, and ingenuity in pursuit of entrepreneurial achievement.
The annual prize includes three monetary awards: “The Senior Award,” “Most Progress in a New Venture,” and “Best Demonstration of Grit.” “The Senior Award” recognizes a graduating student who has shown strong personal growth in their entrepreneurial mindset and skill set 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.
We've been inspired by the progress and commitment of this year's winners, and we look forward to seeing where their entrepreneurial journeys take them next!
Congratulations to this year's winners!
“The Senior Award” ($15,000) – Anh Ngo, A26
After her home country of Vietnam was devastated by floods and a subsequent clean water crisis, Anh Ngo co-founded Wells for Wellness, a community project dedicated to supporting community sustainability in Vietnam through the construction of wells and the distribution of good hygiene practices when using well water. Wells for Wellness has distributed clean water and food supplies to over 1,500 families since its founding. Anh is also a Laidlaw Scholar at Tufts, through which she researches the relationship between psychopathological and lower urinary tract symptoms in autistic adults.
“Most Progress in a New Venture” ($10,000) – Josh Bernstein, E26
Josh Bernstein is transforming how students make decisions about which college to attend through his venture TouredIt. TouredIt offers a personalized college touring experience, connecting prospective students with 1-on-1 tour guides who can offer unique insights into their college experience, tailored to that student’s individual interests and goals. Josh has built connections with over 1,000 tour guides across 500 colleges and universities, helping thousands of students find the right college for them.
“Best Demonstration of Grit ($10,000) – Aria Ma, A26, A26 (BFA)
As founder of wellness company jadewell and sustainability consulting firm LUNEAERA, Aria Ma is dedicated to supporting the health of her community and the nature around her. Her company jadewell connects patients with board-certified, licensed Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners to receive affordable, personalized Chinese Herbal Medicine to help treat chronic health conditions. Aria’s work on jadewell has earned her awards and honors including first place in the 2025 Hult Prize at Tufts University and a recognition in the Boston Business Journal’s “25 Under 25” for 2025.
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.
To learn more about The Paul and Elizabeth Montle Prize for Entrepreneurial Achievement, visit: https://derbyecenter.tufts.edu/competitions/montle-prize/