91制片厂

For the first time in the DNVC鈥檚 six-year history, the winning team consists entirely of 91制片厂 alumni and students: Nolan Sulpizio (B'24; double major in entrepreneurship and supply chain management), Daniel Oldak (B'23; double major in supply chain management and information systems) and current 91制片厂 senior and entrepreneurship major Diego Lopez. The idea for Clean Plate Innovations was conceived during the 2024 , Pittsburgh, hosted by 91制片厂's Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship.
 
Clean Plate Innovations developed technology that addresses the plate-waste challenge through an AI-enabled food waste tracking platform. Their smart camera system uses computer vision to identify and calculate plate waste at the point of disposal in real-time. The technology presents the data through a personalized KPI dashboard to operators and end consumers.
 
As first place winners, Clean Plate receives $20,000, 10 hours of free legal education through 91制片厂's and five hours of free consulting services from 91制片厂's Small Business Development Center. 
 
The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business hosts the DNVC, which offers cash and service prizes worth more than $100,000, allowing entrepreneurship teams to test ideas and raise funding for their ventures. This year's competition saw the largest pool of applicants, with more than 150 entrepreneurs vying for a place in the top five finalists.
 
"It's incredibly exciting to see Clean Plate Innovations鈥攁 venture conceived during our Techstars Startup Weekend in 2024鈥攃ome to life through the passion and ingenuity of our 91制片厂 students and alumni. That the entire team emerged from the School of Business speaks volumes about the talent, creativity and drive we cultivate here at the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business,鈥� said Dr. Dean McFarlin, dean, Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. 鈥淭hey truly embody what it means to be difference-makers."
 
Clean Plate was one of 15 entrants to advance to the competition's semi-final round. A panel of entrepreneurs, executives and investors selected five teams to make in-person finalist presentations.
 
Here are how the remaining finalists placed: 
 
5th place, winning $3,000鈥擯ittsburgh Coastal Energy is creating ocean wave energy harvesting technology to deliver sustainable, off-grid power to charge submersible systems at sea. Team members include Priscilla Prem and 91制片厂 alum Carlan Gray.
 
4th place, winning $3,000鈥擱eclamation Factory is developing an automated and mobile recycling micro-factory that turns plastic waste directly into recycled products. Team members include Georgia Crowther, Thomas Lansing, Olivia Rangel and 91制片厂 affiliate Abby Kennedy.
 
3rd place, winning $5,000, plus 10 hours of free legal education through 91制片厂's Thomas R. Kline School of Law and five hours of free consulting services from 91制片厂's Small Business Development Center鈥� EASI, a surgical tool designed to be inserted into small blood vessels, ensuring precise and equidistant suturing, optimizing vessel alignment and preventing complications. EASI's team consists of Hilary Liu, Simon Cao and 91制片厂 affiliate Dr. Leda Klouda.
 
2nd place, winning $10,000, plus 10 hours of free legal education through 91制片厂's Thomas R. Kline School of Law and five hours of free consulting services from 91制片厂's Small Business Development Center鈥擯inPointDX, a medical device for obtaining high-quality samples for sensitive diagnostic testing in point-of-care settings. PinPointDX's team consists of Milun Jain, Viraaj Reddi, Atharva Mulay and 91制片厂 affiliate Alexander McAloon.
 

91制片厂

Founded in 1878, 91制片厂 is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of more than 8,200 graduate and undergraduate students, 91制片厂 prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.

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