November 16, 2024, marked a significant day for students in the Venture Devils program. They showcased their ventures during Venture Devils Fall Demo Day. This event is a stepping stone towards even greater achievements and marks the beginning of these students’ entrepreneurial journeys. For many, this live-pitch competition was just the beginning of what promises to be a transformative path in the world of innovation.
Turning Ideas into Impactful Ventures
The Venture Devils program offers students a unique opportunity to engage in entrepreneurial endeavors, providing the resources and mentorship needed to turn their ideas into impactful ventures. At Demo Day, participants had the chance to compete for seed funding, which is designed to give students the financial support they need to grow their ventures without giving up ownership. This funding is a key part of the Venture Devils experience, but it is far from the only way the program helps foster entrepreneurial talent.
The program is open to students throughout the year, allowing teams to join at any time. In addition to funding, Venture Devils participants have access to workshops, expert mentorship, and networking opportunities that help them navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. This robust support system is a testament to ASU’s commitment to empowering students and preparing them for success in the competitive startup world.
In total, Venture Devils participants received more than $125,000 in awards on Demo Day. These funds were part of a larger initiative that also included a global venture, engaging with the GIST Innovates the Balkans program, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Science and Technology Cooperation. This collaboration underscores the global impact and reach of the ASU’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, offering a platform for innovation that extends beyond local borders.
Funding and Support for Student Ventures Shaping the Future
One of the standout moments of Demo Day was the announcement of the largest monetary award, which went to Sandul G., a sophomore who founded his venture, Legion Platforms, while still in high school. Sandul’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the supportive environment fostered at ASU. He shared his experiences of how the university and Venture Devils have helped him at every stage of his venture’s development.
Sandul credits ASU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for the continuous support and resources that have been instrumental in his growth as an entrepreneur. “From the mentorship and workshops to the opportunities for funding and networking, ASU has provided me with the tools to succeed,” he explained. For Sandul, winning the award was not just a recognition of his hard work, but also a signal that his journey is only just beginning.
As Venture Devils participants move forward, they will continue to benefit from the program’s extensive network and resources, all designed to propel them toward even greater milestones. For these aspiring entrepreneurs, Demo Day was not just a day to celebrate their current achievements, but also a reminder that their ventures—and their potential—have no limits.
Gaining More Than Funding
In total, over 50 teams pitched their ventures for funding at Demo Day. While not every team received financial support, all participants gained invaluable feedback from a panel of judges, along with insights into the entrepreneurial resources most relevant to their next steps. This experience helped them identify tools and networks that will play a crucial role in the continued growth of their ventures.
The daylong event also offered ample networking opportunities, allowing participants to connect with mentors, investors, and peers. During this time, several founders shared their insights and advice, offering wisdom that could be especially valuable for those considering joining the program or pitching for the first time.
What advice would you give to students pitching at Demo Day for the first time?
“Take that leap. It took Ryan (my co-founder) and me a long time to feel confident enough to make this jump, but it’s one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. From both a business and personal perspective, I’ve learned so much—not only about business but also about becoming a smarter, sharper, and better person through this process. It’s an experience I might never have had if I hadn’t taken that initial step.”
– Benji Sarnovskiy, Senior, Finance, Split Payment Technologies (Graduating in 2025)
How do you calm your nerves for Demo Day?
“Take a deep breath, practice, and prepare. You know yourself best, so make sure you’re breathing and doing what works for you.”
– Ryan Schoenberg, Recent Graduate, Split Payment Technologies
How did you hear about the Edson E+I program?
“I first heard about the Edson E+I program from a friend who had previously pitched at Demo Day. He recommended it to me, saying it would be a great program that offers valuable learning experiences, even if it requires pitching multiple times. I truly believe I’ve gained a lot since the last time I pitched”
– Kangnaa Singh, Junior in Aerospace Engineering, ABridgeUSA
Why did you choose to pursue your venture?
“I decided to pursue this idea and invest in this venture because I saw the lack of access to resources available for disabled people across the world. I believe if we can give everyone the opportunity to learn, play, and actively participate in their communities, we can empower them to achieve success and have a bright future”.
– Brianna Iannone, Master’s Student, All Minds Can Play
Fall Demo Day Funding Winners
At Venture Devils Demo Day, ASU awarded a total of $126,000 across four funding tracks, supporting 25 unique ventures with awards ranging from $1,000 to $30,000.
GIST Innovates the Balkans funded by the Office of Science and Technology Cooperation at the U.S. Department of State
$3,000: KidsDay
The eSeed Challenge Powered by the Prescott Student Venture Fund
$1,000: Apps4.ai; Carbonless; ExchangeSurvey; Stoqs.ai; StudyCal; VR Clubs of America
$2,500: ABridgeUSA, Studygenie
$4,000: referbd
$5,000: Lazy Daisy Bedsheets, UndefeatedJ
An additional gift identified by the Fulton Schools of Engineering awarded Solisa $5,000 thanks to the generosity of a private family donation.
Health Venture Challenge presented by Edson E+I, the eSeed Challenge Powered by the Prescott Student Venture Fund and Good Work Capital
$5,000: HeatSense, NeuroSol, Stasia’s Formula, SupLife
Social Impact Venture presented by Edson E+I, Canon Solutions America and Sun Devil Campus Stores.
$4,000: Books for Ukraine, Thriving Learners Institute
$5,000: ElectroWeeder, JurisPrep, Verdantt Fresh
Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative presented by Edson E+I
$10,000: AllergyVoyage; NEKTR
$30,000: Legion Platforms
Access on-demand resources across ASU
At Demo Day, the Edson E+I Institute introduced a new feature: a Resource Table, offering attendees the chance to connect with representatives from a wide array of entrepreneurial resources. This space provided valuable opportunities for participants to ask questions, network, and discover the tools available to help them succeed. Representatives from various sectors, including ASU faculty, fellow E+I entrepreneurs, Student-Made@ASU managers, Venture Mentors, and other resource partners, were on hand to share their expertise and guide participants in the next steps of their entrepreneurial journeys.
Among the resources highlighted were:
- ASU Center for Entrepreneurship and New Business Design provides opportunities to explore ideas and collaborate on new business solutions that can ignite change locally and globally.
- ASU Changemaker exists to create a university-wide culture that empowers students to apply their passion, knowledge, and expertise to create innovative solutions to local, national and global challenges.
- ASU Fulton School of Engineering Entrepreneurship + Innovation empowers all undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff and alumni to leverage an entrepreneurial mindset to advance their ideas for the benefit of our economy and society.
- ASU Library Patent & Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) can answer your questions about IP, patents, trademarks and copyright, and assist with USPTO applications, referrals and more.
- Student-Made@ASU® is a marketplace curated for and by ASU students with a primary focus on encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation across the ASU community.
Venture Devils Demo Day, a flagship event of the Edson E+I Institute, exemplifies ASU’s commitment to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. But the journey doesn’t stop there! The Edson E+I Institute offers additional opportunities for ongoing engagement and growth:
- Coffee + Co-Working: Join the Edson E+I Institute for coffee and stay to co-work and get to know the local community of entrepreneurs and innovators. These sessions are hosted monthly at each of our E+I PBIS locations.
- Pitch In: Join us on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month from 9-10 am to hear local entrepreneurs pitch their ideas, and get real-time feedback and resources! Pitch In is a great place to connect with other entrepreneurs. Learn more and register here.
Stay tuned for more exciting events and opportunities from Edson E+I that will continue to fuel innovation and entrepreneurship at ASU and beyond. Whether you’re just starting your venture or looking for the next step in your entrepreneurial journey, there’s a wealth of resources available to help you succeed.
