National and Local Students Score Top Honors in Allegheny College’s

Ten student teams have been crowned the 2026 winners of Allegheny College's Bruce R. Thompson Center for Business & Economics Zingale Big Idea Competition. Student entrepreneurs from 11 colleges and universities in the region and across the country competed for $42,500 in prize money, recognition and mentorship.

Now in its 18th year, the two-day event challenged 25 student teams to create and pitch novel business ideas to a panel of seasoned business professionals, emulating the popular CNBC broadcast, "Shark Tank," but with a heart.

The Zingale Big Idea Competition focuses on seed-level new business ideas and the distinguished panel of judges do more than evaluate business models - they offer constructive feedback, coaching and encouragement.

Teams entered their big idea in one of four categories: for-profit business, not-for-profit social venture, research project, or community engagement initiative. The judges' panel, which included regional business leaders, entrepreneurs, faculty, and alumni, evaluated their presentations and offered constructive feedback, valuable coaching, and lots of encouragement.

This year's top prizes totaling $42,500 were awarded to:

• First place ($15,000): Allegheny College, estiMate, an intelligent R&D project development estimation tool
• Second place ($8,000): Duquesne University, TrainingU, an online source that connects college athletes with other athletes to provide specialized training in their specific sport
• Third place ($5,000): St. Francis University, HeatMark, heat-reactive industrial marking and apparel with integrated fabrics by using inorganic thermochromic pigments

Late Stage Ideas

• First Place ($5,000): University of California, Los Angeles, PADI, a gynecological diagnostic platform that utilizes biodegradable materials and an AI-driven app
• Second Place ($3,000): Hiram College, AA Golf Sims, a mobile golf simulator business for any party or event
• Best Biotech ($2,500): University of Pennsylvania, Chloropept, aims to develop stronger, safer, and less resistance-prone antibiotics alternatives for the livestock industry

Next Big Idea ($1,000 each)

• Allegheny College, Aura-Guard, a smart vehicle dashcam system that uses edge-AI thermal vision and targeted ultrasonic pulses
• Allegheny College, BizMap, a step-by-step guide that tells first-time business owners needed licenses, permits, and legal work
• Grove City College, Medicap, a smart pill bottle that helps patients take their medications and caretakers to manage medication compliance
• Allegheny College, SreeCare, a platform that helps healthcare organizations improve patient medical compliance

Students participated from Allegheny College, Chatham College, Duquesne University, Grove City College, Hiram College, St. Francis University, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California (USC), Waynesburg University, and Westminster College.

Year after year, the teams inspire us with their creativity, passion, and determination," said Chris Allison, entrepreneur-in-residence and co-director of the Bruce R. Thompson Center for Business & Economics at Allegheny College. "These bright young minds are poised to turn their ideas into reality and make a lasting impact in our fast-paced world.

The Big Idea Competition is named in honor of 1977 Allegheny College graduate Lance Zingale, retired executive vice president and general manager of SYKES, and his wife Karen. Their generous gift supports the College's Center for Business & Economics. Zingale has served on the judging panel since 2015 and is a member of the Allegheny College Board of Trustees.

"This competition gives me renewed optimism about the next generation of entrepreneurs," Zingale noted. "The participants have the mindset and motivation to disrupt conventional thinking, find new solutions, and change the future. I'm proud to support the Big Idea Competition and Allegheny College."