Business Idea Competition Winners

KU 2025 Business Idea Competition Winners

KUTZTOWN, Pa. - Kutztown University's College of Business is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Business Idea Competition, an annual event that highlights the creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of KU students.

The six finalists presented their ideas Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the de Francesco Building before a panel of judges. Finalists were competing for cash prizes, with a first-place prize of $1,000, $750 for second place and $500 for third place. All students who submitted proposals retained ownership of their business ideas.

First place went to Matt Ventura, a junior computer science major. Ventura's concept centers on a sport-specific mobile app designed to connect baseball players who struggle to find consistent throwing partners outside of organized play. It uses geo-location to match players by skill level and availability, with features such as verified locations and in-app chat.

Second place was awarded to Ethan Gallardo, a junior data science major, for his cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for restaurants. It provides real-time dashboards and integrates AI-powered analytics to help managers optimize menus, forecast demand and improve staffing decisions.

Third place went to Zoe Tuttle, a senior majoring in social media theory and strategy. Her project emphasizes accessible digital marketing support for small businesses, entrepreneurs and creators. The service model offers personalized social media strategy packets, ad management and educational tools to help clients strengthen and sustain their digital presence.