HARRISBURG, PA — The Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE), powered by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU), has officially wrapped up the latest installation of the launchU Startup Pitch Competition. This is the fifth year for the Shark Tank-inspired contest, sponsored by The Hershey Company, which features thoughtful inventions and business ideas envisioned by high school and university teams from across the globe.
The winners were officially announced following the Grand Finale on Thursday, May 14, 2025. HU Interim President, David Schankweiler, delivered opening remarks to kick off the event, noting HU’s founding commitment to entrepreneurship.
“By participating in launchU, you’re helping to create a proving ground here in the heart of Pennsylvania, focused on bringing great ideas in business, technology, and science to market and providing resources and inspiration for inventors, entrepreneurs, and dreamers,” said President Schankweiler. “Harrisburg University was built for people just like our finalists: for people who never sit still and aren’t afraid to think big. Whether it’s wearable tech, public health, educational access, or sustainability, you’re about to see the future come to life.”
Annually, launchU participants have the opportunity to bring their business idea to fruition with the help of Harrisburg University faculty and CIE staff and mentors:
- First, participants learn the basics of entrepreneurship as they refine their idea and receive invaluable guidance from business veterans.
- Then, they pitch their idea at a capstone competition showcase.
- Three winners are selected by a formal judging committee and awarded prizes, with one grand-prize winner selected to incubate their business idea at the Harrisburg University Innovation Lab.
“launchU started as a way to ignite innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among students, and it’s grown into a global stage for emerging ideas,” said Jay Jayamohan, Executive Director of the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. “What’s most inspiring is how the experience pushes participants to grow – not just through building ventures, but by stepping up to compete. The students learn so much through that process, and they gain the kind of confidence that lasts well beyond the program.”
CIE received more than 50 applications and then narrowed down the slate to the following finalists and winners:
2025 High School Finalists and Winners
- American Cooperative School of La Paz: Our initiative in La Paz integrates land restoration with sustainable business by cultivating Prickly Pear cacti, preventing landslides, restoring degraded land, and generating revenue through eco-friendly products like cactus leather and food items.
- Harrisburg High School Sci-Tech Campus: SpiritConnect unites individuals of diverse spiritual backgrounds through an app offering forums, meditations, and virtual gatherings, fostering connections and mutual understanding globally.
- Hempfield High School: PureSip enhances public water safety with its UV-sanitizing attachment for water fountains, eliminating bacteria and providing a chemical-free solution for schools, gyms, and public spaces.
- BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School: ScholarSwipe uses AI to match high school students with personalized scholarships, leveraging academic performance and achievements to increase access to educational funding.
- FAN FAVORITE TEAM: Trinity High School: GlucoLink introduces an affordable, non-invasive optical sensor for glucose monitoring, aiming to democratize diabetic care by overcoming the financial and practical barriers of traditional continuous glucose monitors.
2025 University Finalists and Winners
- Gettysburg College: Crivus connects students with trusted campus creators, offering quality services like event photography and video editing at affordable prices, bypassing the uncertainties of traditional freelancing.
- University of Southern California: OptimEYEze revolutionizes payments with biometric technology, enabling secure and seamless transactions using iris and facial recognition, ideal for retail, e-commerce, and healthcare sectors.
- Washington University in St. Louis: Woo Food specializes in soft-textured, nutritious snacks for elderly individuals with dental and digestive challenges, promoting enjoyable and healthy eating experiences without artificial ingredients.
- BEST UNIVERSITY TEAM: Stetson University: The Flex-Fit Soccer Sock offers unmatched comfort and performance for soccer players with its flexible, spandex-like material, ensuring a perfect fit and superior stretch for athletes of all calf sizes.
- BEST TEAM OVERALL: Penn State University (University Park): Whirl Pong enhances the classic cup pong game with an automatic spinning feature, perfect for lively tailgates and parties, ensuring a more challenging and engaging social experience.
Congratulations to the teams from Lehigh Valley Academy, Trinity High School, Stetson University, and Penn State University!
Recent CIE Milestones
Since its founding in 2019, The CIE at Harrisburg University has received over 300 applications for startups, delivered over 25 programs, supported more than 50 business ideas, incubated 21 companies, and assisted in raising over $10 million in investments. Earlier in 2025, the CIE at Harrisburg University celebrated two additional milestones:
- In February, the CIE received the 2025 Inspiring Programs in Business Award from Insight Into Diversity Magazine, in recognition of CIE’s culture of inclusivity and belonging and exemplary track record of business leadership.
- In March, the CIE and M&T Bank kicked off the 4th Annual Small Business Accelerator Program, a six-week program that delivers life-changing mentorship experiences and resources for 30 small-business owners from the area.
Once again, congratulations to each of this year’s award winners! Harrisburg University thanks each of the high school and university teams that applied to join launchU in 2024, and we congratulate each of the finalists who helped make this the program’s most successful year so far. Here’s to an even more impactful 2026!
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University was recently recognized by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s most innovative colleges. HU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, and other health science fields. For additional information about HU’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter).
