A team of Grove City College students’ idea for a platform that connects students to skilled trades through shadowing and internship experiences won $9,425 plus in-kind business services in the 2026 Wolverine Venture Battle.
TRADE, a venture conceived by Audrey Karwowski ‘26, Kaitlyn Kuscevic ’27, Brendan Stull ’26 that gives students career clarity and helps employers build future talent, was the top money winner in the annual venture pitch competition held by the College’s Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation (E+I).
The Wolverine Venture Battle provides invaluable experience for aspiring entrepreneurs and a crucial test for their business ideas, which can be at any stage of development.
“Ten years ago, the Wolverine Venture Battle was launched with a simple conviction: that Grove City College students — from every major and every calling — have what it takes to change the world. This competition gives students the platform to showcase their innovation and exercise their call to create with purpose and meaning,” said Robb Myer, interim E+I executive director.
“Events like the Wolverine Venture Battle aren't just competitions; they're the proving ground where classroom ideas meet investor scrutiny, market realities, and the kind of pressure that forges genuine entrepreneurs,” Myer said.
Seven other finalist teams competed in the WVB and split the rest of the $33,000 prize pool, which included several bonus awards. The teams and their winnings are:
- Scanvas (Alex Anderson ‘26, Ryan Merrick ’27, Ellie Rodriguez ’26, Cayden Testa ’26) captured a total of $8,775, including the $1000 Hudson Financial Advisors Award and the $500 Fan Favorite Award – Utilizes a patented QAR code technology that seamlessly combines multiple codes into one code invisibly hidden in packaging artwork.
- Claritas Arts Academy (Maya O’Dell ‘28, Ginger Schiffmayer ’26, Sophie Spilak ’28) $6,875 – Offers a unique model for classical Christian summer camps by providing structure and support to local teachers to meet local needs.
- Ringless Automation (Owen Gasser ‘26, Tobias Leithart ’26, Antonio Sanguigni ’26) $2,375 – An agency built to help small trades-based businesses succeed by giving them a full time AI receptionist.
- Medicap (Truman Eichler ‘28, Jonathan Steen ’28, Zachary Wilson ’27) $2,225 including the $500 Junior Judges Award determined by a panel of students from Arise Classical Academy in Sewickley – A smart pill bottle that tracks medication usage and provides real-time insights to patients and caretakers to improve medication adherence.
- Sovereign (Alex Bepristis ’26, Harrison Houle ’28) $1,275 – Transforms underutilized luxury homes into an exclusive, membership-driven network.
- Common Ground (Dallas Casciani ’27, Savannah Henschel ’27) $1,125 – Eases the process of coordinating meetings by suggesting preferable locations and connecting calendar availability.
- Asset-Based Intelligence (Andrew Coy ‘26, Josh Elverson ’26, Isaac Nowrasteh ’26) $925 – Simplifies and automates much of the asset-based lending field exam process, increasing efficiency and decreasing costs for lenders.
Each team had eight minutes to make their case and another five to field questions from the judges. The eight finalists were selected from 23 teams comprised of 72 students from 18 different majors and every class year in the first round of the competition.
The finalists were selected by a panel of 46 reviewers, 20 of whom received special thanks for 5 or more years of faithful service in this role. Each finalist team was assigned a mentor(s) to assist them in preparing for the WVB.
For many finalists, the competition marks the culmination of their journey through an entrepreneurial ecosystem created and managed by E+I. For others, it is just the beginning. Either way, the prize money and in-kind services may help these teams fuel their commercial and social ventures.
“What makes the Wolverine Venture Battle truly special is the way our community rallies around it — faculty who pour into their students, alumni who return to mentor and judge, local businesses and generous sponsors who invest, and fellow students who show up to cheer,” Myer said. “It is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship is never a solo journey. The Center for E+I exists to give our students the real-world experience and relationships they need to be ready for whatever comes next. Days like this remind us exactly why that work matters.”
The WVB judicial panel included experienced entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs, and a variety of professionals and alumni, including Lori Brinker ’96, Alex Cook, Dan Creston ’81, Pete Durfee ’80, RJ Fryan ’08, Darrin Grove ’91, Melissa Jacobs ’92, Liam Krut ’14, Rick Newton ’86, Elisabeth O’Brien ’16, Paul Passaro, Mark Pentz ’81, Michael Pentz ’06, Don Tharp, and Barbara VanKirk.
The Wolverine Venture Battle’s prize pool comes from sponsors: Hudson Financial Advisors, Inc.; GLOO; St. Louis Arch Angels; IQ Inc.; Newton Institute; Truefit; Calvin Group; Lancaster Cast Iron; The Passaro Family; Shannon and Melissa (Marshall ‘92) Jacobs, Laura (Koller '11) and RJ Fryan '08; Lori (Shoemaker ’96) and John Brinker; Dan Creston ’81; Susan (Peshek '81) and Peter Durfee '80; The Pentz Family (Mark ‘81, Cheri ‘79, Michael ‘06, and Yvonne ‘06); John '68 & Betsy Baun Charitable Foundation (Pittsburgh Foundation); Sisterson & Co., LLP, Pittsburgh Web Design, and CIRDEC Consulting, LLC.
For a recording of the final pitches and awards, visit gccentrepreneurship.com/wvb-finals.
For more about the Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation at Grove City College, visit gccentrepreneurship.com.