Annual Heller Startup Challenge a Success
The annual Heller Startup Challenge took place this past weekend on campus in its traditional and highly successful format. The two and a half day intensive business plan event brings together innovators committed to social change and social justice to develop solutions to some of the world's biggest problems, to provide localized solutions to global issues, or innovate ethical products to meet consumer needs - and often, do a combination of all these things, all in just 3 days.
Over the years, the Heller Startup Challenge has gained recognition and prestige as it continues to push the boundaries of social entrepreneurship. With each passing year, more and more individuals turn their ideas into reality, creating a positive impact in communities around the world.
The event is open to all undergraduate and graduate students from any university or program, provided each team includes Brandeis students. This inclusivity adds diversity and brings together different perspectives, enabling teams to generate truly innovative and impactful ideas. Participants are also encouraged to collaborate with professionals, industry experts, and mentors during the event, further enhancing their learning experience.
This year's Startup Weekend was organized by Katherine Gagen, MPP/MBA ‘25 and Abigail Despres, MPP/MBA ‘23. The duo recruited mentors, guest speakers, and judges, facilitated team collaboration and managed event logistics.
In addition to its focus on social entrepreneurship, the Heller Startup Challenge also provides a platform for participants to develop essential skills such as teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. These skills not only benefit students in their future careers but also contribute to the success of their ventures.
A wide range of projects emerged over the weekend, including RecyFLOOR, a flooring tile made from PET plastics, SHARe-cycle, a community-driven platform to buy and sell used products, and Candor, a game to teach bullying prevention to kids.
Mentors, including Brandeis Spark Program Manager Juan Giraldo, supported the teams throughout the event with feedback, suggestions, and expert knowledge. At the end of the weekend, the teams pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges, including Brandeis Innovation Online Infrastructure Manager Christina Inge. The audience also voted for their favorites. The winners were GoGoGyno, a mobile provider of women’s healthcare in rural Maine, Candor, and LaborLingo, a translation app designed for the construction industry with its specialized vocabulary. Audience Favorite was RecyFLOOR. Winners will go on to be fast-tracked to the Spark program in the Spring.
The Heller Startup Challenge is not just a competition, but a community where individuals come together to learn from each other and create meaningful change. Even after the event is over, teams often stay together to work on furthering their projects, or collaborate on social impact in other venues. Many teams formed during the weekend have gone on to win the Brandeis SparkTank competition, winning further funding and accelerating their growth. A cornerstone of the thriving Brandeis University innovation ecosystem, the Heller Startup Challenge is often the catalyst for impactful solutions to global challenges, emerging right here at Brandeis.