Built in Boston: A Student Founder Pitch Showcase
Startup Boston and the City of Boston are teaming up to spotlight the next generation of student founders building the future.
At this high-energy pitch showcase, selected student entrepreneurs will take the stage to present their ventures. Each team will have 5 minutes to pitch followed by 3 minutes of Q&A with the judges, competing for cash prizes and startup perks.
From software and hardware to climate, healthcare, consumer products, and more, these founders aren’t just sharing ideas - they’re building real companies while still in school.
Meet the Judges:
Aidan McDonough - Director of SPARK Boston and Office of Mayor Michelle Wu
James Massaquoi - Senior Associate, Glasswing Ventures
Bella Pivo - Analyst, FoundersEdge
Meet the startups taking the stage:
Skipit - founded by Emily Weinberg (Babson College)
ZOR! - founded by Mukki Gill (Northeastern University)
Fsen Inc. - founded by Christopher Risio (Boston College)
LET - founded by Jakob Esterowitz (Boston University)
ProvenanceXL Inc. - founded by Tuna Uskudar (Boston College)
Current Prize Pool
The prize pool is still growing as new sponsors join. Here’s where it stands today:
🥇 1st Place
$4,500 Cash Prize
$10,000 in legal services credits from Orrick
90% off HubSpot in your first year, 75% off in your second, and 25% off in your third (for net-new customers)
1 year free of ShineQuo
Free provisional patent filing from Clear IP
A custom, starter marketing strategy focused on Year 1 activation + training/review session from Matter
🥈 2nd Place
$1,500 Cash Prize
$5,000 in legal services credits from Orrick
90% off HubSpot in your first year, 75% off in your second, and 25% off in your third (for net-new customers)
6 months free of ShineQuo
Free IP strategy assessment and report from Clear IP
A thought leadership activation strategy inclusive of content strategy, PR and social + training/review session from Matter
🥉 3rd Place
$750 Cash Prize
$3,000 in legal services credits from Orrick
90% off HubSpot in your first year, 75% off in your second, and 25% off in your third (for net-new customers)
2 months free of ShineQuo
Free IP strategy assessment and report from Clear IP
A “fundamentals of marketing” training and review session from Matter
A huge thank you to the supporters of this event with City of Boston and Startup Boston:
Interested in contributing to the prize pool (monetary or in services)? Email hello@startupbos.org to get involved.
Who Can Pitch?
Founders must meet the following criteria:
At least one founder must currently be a student
The company must be incorporated and headquartered within Boston proper (home office is acceptable)
The company must have a separate business bank account
The product must include a software or hardware component
Why Attend?
Watch some of Boston’s most promising student-led startups pitch live
Meet founders, investors, operators, and ecosystem leaders from across the region
Connect with the community supporting the next generation of builders
Whether these founders are launching their first startup or testing an early idea, this event gives student entrepreneurs a real stage to share their work, gain feedback, and accelerate their growth.