Brandeis SparkTank 2025: Celebrating Innovation and Impact
This year’s SparkTank 2025 competition at Brandeis University was a resounding success, showcasing the ingenuity, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit of our students. Held in the sun-drenched Zinner Forum at the Heller School for Social Policy, the event brought together visionary student teams, esteemed judges, and an engaged audience to celebrate innovation and the power of startup thinking.
A Showcase of Game-Changing Ideas
Nine teams pitched their startups, presenting a diverse array of solutions aimed at transforming industries and tackling real-world challenges. After a competitive round of presentations, the grand prize winner of $5,000 and the audience favorite award went to DermX, a groundbreaking mobile app connecting underserved communities to dermatological care. The second-place award went to BarBets, a platform offering a risk-free alternative to sports betting to enhance the bar-going experience, while the third-place honor was claimed by Mastery Learning Assessment (MLA), a startup dedicated to improving STEM education through automated assessment tools.
Other standout pitches included:
- Horizon Tracker: A scuba diving technology platform with real-time analytics and emergency response features.
- Adjunct X: A platform increasing social capital for students by integrating mentorship and industry expertise.
- Monarch Drones: AI-powered detection drones designed for government and emergency services.
- Haitian Transitional Learning: ESOL education tailored for Haitian Creole speakers.
- Planetivity: A gamified productivity app that turns achievements into a growing 3D planet.
- InBite: A social dining app connecting students and professionals through shared meals.
Expert Judges
The panel of expert judges brought a wealth of knowledge in finance, venture capital, and social entrepreneurship. Their insightful feedback and rigorous questioning helped the teams refine their pitches and think critically about their business models. The judging panel included:
- Debarshi Nandy, Barbara and Richard M. Rosenberg Professor of Global Finance at Brandeis International Business School.
- Shawn Broderick ‘88, Venture Partner at dlab.vc and experienced startup advisor.
- Wafaa Arbash, MBA SID/COEX ‘16, innovation strategist and founder of WorkAround.
- Elizabeth Nguyen, MBA/MA SID '20, Senior Associate at Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation.
Their collective expertise ensured that every participating team received valuable insights to strengthen their ventures.
What’s Next? A Summer of Growth and Development
The SparkTank journey does not end with the competition. This summer, the teams will continue developing their startups with the support of Program Manager Juan Giraldo and the Startup Champions, including Gianna Chrisha Saludo and Kapil Naidu. Through mentorship, guidance, and hands-on experience, these young entrepreneurs will refine their business strategies, build prototypes, and prepare for real-world implementation.
A Lasting Impact on the Brandeis Community
SparkTank is more than just a pitch competition—it is a launchpad for student entrepreneurs who are passionate about innovation and problem-solving. Year after year, the event fosters a culture of creativity and collaboration at Brandeis, equipping students with the skills and confidence to turn ideas into impactful ventures.
Congratulations to all participants, judges, and organizers for making SparkTank 2025 an unforgettable event. We look forward to seeing how these promising startups evolve in the months ahead!