SIUE Students Turn Ideas into Impact at The Other 40 Pitch Competition and Business Fair

SIUE Students Turn Ideas into Impact at The Other 40 Pitch Competition and Business Fair

Students from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville stepped beyond the classroom this April to test ideas, take risks and build ventures with real potential. Through The Other 40 Business Fair on April 2 and The Other 40 Pitch Competition on April 9, the SIUE School of Business created an environment where innovation met execution.

"At its core, progress begins with curiosity. It starts with the willingness to see opportunity where others see obstacles and to act on it," said Mario Hayek, PhD, Dean of the School of Business. "When students learn to creatively solve meaningful problems, they develop the ability to generate lasting social and economic value across any discipline."

This year introduced a new initiative: a campus-wide business fair where contestants showcased their ideas to the broader community. The event drew 198 attendees who cast votes, including local residents, parents, faculty, and students from disciplines such as nursing, mechanical engineering, computer science, social work, criminal justice, biology, history and education. The fair created a space for student entrepreneurs to engage directly with a diverse audience and receive immediate feedback.

"Organizing the business fair was a highly rewarding experience, especially because it was my first time being directly involved in the logistics of a professional event," said Nicholas Perino, vice president of the Association for Information Systems. "It gave me the opportunity to collaborate with students and faculty while seeing firsthand what it takes to execute an event at that level. Watching everything come together and knowing I played a role in creating meaningful connections, made the experience especially impactful."

A total of 36 student teams competed for a $5,500 prize pool, representing disciplines including economics, anthropology, marketing, graphic design, finance, mass communications, structural engineering and computer science.

First place in the pitch competition, along with a $2,500 prize, was awarded to Bonding Beyond Borders, a mass communications student team composed of Melissa Herzberg and Zee Bellemare. Their venture focuses on a language and culture learning social application designed to foster meaningful conversations and connections.

"Getting to participate in The Other 40 Competition was an incredibly educational and important experience for both of us," said Herzberg. "It can be difficult to believe your idea has value in a world full of innovation, but passion and purpose matter. We are not creating this for financial gain; we are building it to foster mutual respect and understanding across cultures. Our goal is to help people form lasting friendships and recognize that connection is possible regardless of where they live."

Second place, along with a $1,000 prize, was awarded to Path Scan, presented by Tyler Robertson, a senior entrepreneurship student. Robertson developed a working prototype that uses artificial intelligence to detect hidden hazards in lawn care environments, helping prevent damage to equipment, property, and people.

"The Other 40 pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and build something I had no prior experience in," said Robertson. "The process was challenging and rewarding at the same time. It strengthened my confidence and reinforced that entrepreneurship is about taking initiative and creating solutions."

In a three-way tie for third place, Actum AI (Christian Downs, computer science), Cart Path (Isabella Rivero, Audrey O'Renic, and Michal Kate Castleman, mass communications), and PitMate Pro (Rebecca Reynolds, business) were recognized for their innovation and execution. An additional three student teams were recognized as winners at the business fair.

The Other 40 takes its name from research suggesting that approximately 60 percent of startups fail within five years; the initiative focuses on identifying, developing, and supporting the 40 percent that persist, adapt, and create impact. At SIUE, that mindset extends across disciplines and encourages students to take action on ideas that matter.

This year's participants demonstrated that innovation begins with initiative; the next generation of entrepreneurs is already taking shape, and future students are encouraged to step forward and participate.

PHOTOS: The Other 40 first-place winners Melissa Herzberg and Zee Bellemare; second-place winner Tyler Robertson