UMass Amherst’s Berthiaume Center Crowns Winners of Annual Innovation Challenge: The Final

Amherst, MA – On April 24th, the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management hosted the Innovation Challenge: The Final—the culminating pitch competition of the year’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Community—at the historic Old Chapel. Five outstanding ventures, representing the entrepreneurial spirit fostered across campus, competed for a share of the $65,000 prize pool. Each team delivered compelling pitches and handled intense Q&A sessions before a live audience and a distinguished panel of judges, including UMass alumni Norman “Bud” Robertson ’72, William (Bill) Firestone ’78, Chris Velis ’89, Amy Hudson, and Myron Kassaraba.

The Berthiaume Center is proud to announce the following winners:

$36,000 – Diel Technologies

Diel Technologies, led by a dynamic team of undergraduate students from UMass Amherst, is developing groundbreaking kinetic energy harvesting technology to revolutionize the wearable technology industry. Their relentless pursuit of innovation and commitment to sustainable energy solutions impressed the judges and the audience.
 

Team Members:

• Ben Hyjek ’25, College of Engineering
• Flo Sabatini ’25, College of Engineering
• Rishi Nandurbarkar ’25, Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences
• Max Loper ’25, Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences
   

$16,000 – PlateMate

PlateMate is advancing digital health innovation through an AI-driven app that estimates calorie and nutritional content from simple photos of food. PlateMate equips users with tools for informed, healthier eating choices by integrating food detection, segmentation, and nutritional databases.
 

Team Member:

• Haamed Rahman ’27, Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences
   

$11,000 – OffCampusSpaces.com

OffCampusSpaces.com is simplifying the search for student housing across the country. Now available at over 5,600 schools, the venture offers students an intuitive way to find roommates, sublets, and rentals, making off-campus living more accessible than ever.
 

Team Members:

• Samyak Choudhary ’25, Isenberg School of Management, majoring in finance
• Arman Agarwal ’24, Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences
   

$1,000 – X-Change Thrift Consignment Community Marketplace

X-Change Thrift is building a regional online marketplace enhanced by partnerships with local stores, sellers, and services. Their vision combines commerce, sustainability, charity, and community service, creating a new hub for conscious consumerism.
 

Team Members:

• Grant Cooney ’25, Isenberg School of Management, majoring in management
• Jack Mandy ’25, Isenberg School of Management, majoring in finance
• Manny Baczewski ’27, Isenberg School of Management, double majoring in management and hospitality & tourism management
• Mathew Cunningham ’25, Isenberg School of Management, majoring in marketing

 Visit them at 48 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002, or at https://massxchange.myshopify.com/.
 

$1,000 – Supreme Microgreens

Supreme Microgreens is redefining local agriculture with a hydroponic farming operation that grows fresh microgreens and develops premium products such as ready-to-eat foods and supplements. Their commitment to sustainability and nutrition is evident across all aspects of their vertically integrated business model.
 

Team Member:

• Alexander Ayanian ’26, Isenberg School of Management, Stockbridge School of Agriculture, Graduate School, double majoring in marketing and horticulture

 Catch them at the Greenfield, Amherst, and Northampton Farmers Markets or learn more at info@suprememicrogreens.org.
 

“The ingenuity and professionalism these students demonstrated, from hardware design to digital experiences, speak volumes about the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem at UMass Amherst,” said Gregory Thomas, executive director of the Berthiaume Center. “We’re thrilled to see such transformative ideas emerge across campus.”

The Innovation Challenge: The Final is a key component of the Berthiaume Center’s suite of signature programs, alongside immersive boot camps, incubator access, and year‑round mentorship opportunities. Through these initiatives, the Center connects students and alumni, up to ten years post‑graduation, to resources that help turn promising ideas into thriving enterprises.

About the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship

Founded in the Isenberg School of Management through a generous gift from Diana and Doug Berthiaume, the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship fosters innovation at UMass Amherst. Through experiential learning, expert mentorship, and funding pathways, the Center empowers students from all majors to become the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders and changemakers.

Media Contact:
Amy McLain
aleclair@umass.edu
(413) 545-5546