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Student Startups Win Big at Lehman’s First Launch Pitch Competition
Three School of Business students walked away with $2,500 in prizes at the inaugural Lehman Launch Pitch Competition
August 18, 2025
Three School of Business students walked away with $2,500 in prizes at the inaugural Lehman Launch Pitch Competition held on August 5, 2025. The event marked the conclusion of the new experiential course, Scaling Startups Business Accelerator, offered through the Lehman Launch Entrepreneurship Program.
“This pitch competition is just the beginning,” said Professor Andy Gold, who leads the program. “These students are not only learning to think like entrepreneurs — they’re becoming changemakers who are creating solutions for their communities and beyond. We are incredibly proud of their courage, creativity, and commitment.”
First Place and $1,500 went to Mamadou Cissé for his company Hygeya and his product, Juno. Cissé sees Juno as a way to use new technology to modernize the protocols leading up to and after surgery to make the operating room more efficient and safer.
Reflecting on the course and competition, Mamadou Cisse, founder of Juno, said, “Professor Gold offered an accelerated experience that not only challenged me as a founder, but also as an individual. The grant from the competition will help fund some of the remaining development and allow us to hopefully bring this product to market even sooner."
In all, ten students pitched their startup ventures to a panel of judges that included Lehman alumnus and business leader Nick Markola, whose generous support and commitment to student innovation made the pitch contest possible; Provost Jorge Silva-Puras; Bronx SBDC Director Vanessa Joseph; and School of Business Dean Dene Hurley. Ideas ranged from tech to fashion to social enterprise.
Provost Jorge Silva-Puras emphasized the broader impact of the initiative: “The bold ideas, thoughtful planning, and passion our students demonstrated are a testament to the value of this program. When students are given the opportunity to gain real-world experience, they don’t just develop skills, they unlock their leadership potential. Programs like this challenge them to think critically, act boldly, and create solutions that make a difference in their communities and beyond.”
Second Place and $750 went to Eileen Mazariegos for Mazalloon Decorations and Event Planning; a full-service event planning company that promises stress-free, budget-friendly celebrations tailored to each client’s vision.
In third, earning $250 was Jessica Narvaez for Nightlit; a personalized nightlife discovery app that matches users with bars, clubs, and restaurants based on their mood, music, and vibe preferences.
“It’s an honor to join Lehman’s inaugural pitch competition and be part of an afternoon filled with fresh ideas and real potential,” said Nick Markola. “As the saying goes, ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,’ and Lehman is actively taking that step to educate and empower students to become future entrepreneurs and successful business owners.”
There is one catch before the students can collect and cash in their award. They need to sign up and get an advisor from the Bronx Small Business Development Center, housed at Lehman College. Director Vanessa Joseph was another of the judges.
“We want to make sure this Launch Program really is the start of something new,” said Joseph. “By connecting them with one of our advisors, we can keep the momentum going and help these entrepreneurs reach their goals.”
The Lehman Launch Entrepreneurship Program is designed to equip students with the skills, confidence, and hands-on experience needed to succeed in today’s competitive economy. By providing mentorship, resources, and opportunities, the program fosters the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs.
School of Business Dean Dene Hurley, a third judge, expressed enthusiasm for the future: “The Lehman Launch Pitch Competition will return next summer, with expanded programming, partnerships, and support for the next wave of Lehman entrepreneurs.”
Learn more about experiential learning at the School of Business.