“Starting a business is a series of bold bets and constant iterations,” Todd Halloran `84 told a capacity crowd at the Performance Hall of the Gordon Center last week. Halloran, a trustee emeritus and senior advisor at Freeman Spogli, opened the annual Halloran Lab Pitch Competition by praising the persistence of student innovators. Eight finalist teams competed for a share of $25,000 in seed funding after months of mentorship and product development. While the pool of applicants included ventures in artificial intelligence and social networking, the top honors went to student entrepreneurs focusing on personalized consumer goods and sustainable manufacturing.
Talina Hoang `27 and team won the first place prize of $15,000 for her startup, Tali’s Nailz. Hoang identified a significant gap in the global press-on nail market, noting that standard products often fail to fit the diverse nail shapes of many customers. Her business offers customized, reusable sets designed to maintain retention for two weeks. Hoang detailed a business model with a 37 percent profit margin and outlined a plan to scale production by onboarding professional artisans.
The second place prize of $7,500 was awarded to Beck & Company. The venture focuses on high quality apparel produced through sustainable materials and local manufacturing processes. The founder, Anna Reynolds `26, emphasized that their brand addresses a growing consumer demand for transparency in the fashion industry. By maintaining a close relationship with regional suppliers, the company aims to ensure ethical production standards while reducing the environmental footprint of its logistics chain. The funding will allow the team to expand initial inventory and reach a broader customer base beyond the local community.
The final award of the evening, the Audience Choice Award, granted $2,500 to StyleSync. This prize was determined by a live vote from the attendees in the Performance Hall, reflecting the immediate market appeal of the venture. While they did not secure the top two placement prizes, other finalists included Cozy, an AI website builder; Figrex, a figure creation tool; and My Crew, a social event application. These teams demonstrated the diverse range of entrepreneurial interests currently emerging from the Halloran Lab.
Responding to a judge’s question about how she plans to maintain the quality of handcrafted nails while increasing production volume, Hoang `27 replied that her growth strategy involves a rigorous certification process for the artisans she hires. She explained that by creating a network of skilled designers, she can preserve the bespoke nature of the product while meeting higher demand. Hoang `27 noted that the customization aspect is the core value of her brand and cannot be sacrificed for the sake of rapid expansion.
When asked about the competitive landscape of sustainable fashion, Reynolds `26, the founder of Beck & Company addressed the challenge of pricing. She acknowledged that local manufacturing often results in higher costs compared to mass-produced alternatives. However, she argued that their target demographic values durability and ethical concerns over low prices. Reynolds `27 stated that their customers view their purchases as long-term investments in both their wardrobe and the environment. She maintained that their focus on localized production provides a level of quality control that larger competitors cannot replicate.
Lisa Noble, the interim director of the Halloran Lab for Entrepreneurship, concluded the ceremony by pointing out the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem at the College. She noted that the competition serves as a connection between classroom theory and the practical realities of launching a business.
“Everyone put it all out there tonight,” she said while addressing the finalists. The night ended with a reception where winners and participants discussed their ventures with local investors and faculty members.
~ Stephen Owusu Badu `27
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