Winners Announced in 2025 Tufts New Ventures Competition Finals
Months of preparation and practice paid off for aspiring Tufts entrepreneurs at this year’s Tufts New Ventures Competition Finals, hosted by the Derby Entrepreneurship Center on April 4. For these teams of Tufts students, alumni, faculty, and staff, the journey started back in February as they filled out their applications for the annual pitch competition. Out of those many applications, the competition field was narrowed down to thirty semifinalists, and then fifteen finalists.
Each of the fifteen finalist teams worked tirelessly throughout that process to refine their pitch decks, shore up any gaps in their business plans, and address feedback from judges and coaches. The live Finals takes place over the course of an afternoon, but represents the culmination of countless hours of hard work from every finalist team.
Reflecting on the event, Elaine Chen, Director of Derby Entrepreneurship Center and Cummings Family Professor of the Practice, shares, “The Tufts New Ventures Competition is as inspiring to our organizers, judges, and audience as it is empowering for the competing teams. Witnessing the way teams grow and improve as entrepreneurs and problem-solvers throughout the competition is truly invigorating.”
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
Stephen and Geraldine Ricci Interdisciplinary Prize:
Kofimi Technology, Inc.
The Paul and Elizabeth Montle Prize for Entrepreneurial Achievement:
Senior Award: Sarah Jun, A25
Most Progress in a New Venture: Duncan Johnson, E26
Best Demonstration of Grit: Neelofar Tamboli, E25
New to the New Ventures Competition this year is the Creative Arts Prize, which recognizes an artistic endeavor with commercial potential that demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of arts combined with an entrepreneurial spirit. The winning team receives $2,500 in support of their artistic venture. The Creative Arts Prize is offered in partnership with the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. The inaugural winner of the Creative Arts Prize is Jane Priester: Handmade in NY.
“Winning the Creative Arts Prize is such a fulfilling way to end my time at Tufts and makes me excited for the next chapter of my life,” shares Jane Priester, A25. “Even if I didn’t win, having to answer the questions for the application was an invaluable process, putting into words everything my venture and I stand for and hope to achieve.”
General Technology
1st: HueSpectra
“Your own personal AI agent for color blind people.”
2nd: Squibber
“Subletting Simplified.”
3rd: Probie
“Save Time, Solve More: One Secure Hub for all Police Evidence.”
Cummings Property Rent Credit: Squibber
Healthcare & Life Science
1st: EntoCellular
“Harnessing the power of insect resiliency to create sustainable, cost-effective, and ethical pet food ingredients.”
2nd: Cureva
“Accelerating clinical trials with AI-powered patient matching.”
3rd: KYTOS Therapeutics
“Enduring Strength for Every Step.”
Cummings Property Rent Credit: KYTOS Therapeutics
Social Impact
1st: Talk-Motion
“Connecting Worlds: Breaking communication barriers for the deaf and aphonic with AI-powered sign language translation.”
2nd: SHEFe
“Iron-rich nutrition creating stronger mothers, healthier children, and empowered communities.”
3rd: Freebites
“Eliminating college food waste and food insecurity one free bite at a time.”
Cummings Property Rent Credit: RemoBrush