University students win big at the 2022 Pitch Deck Competition

After an inspiring evening at the Lobo Rainforest Building, five university students went home with cash prizes after pitching their innovative business and startup ideas to an audience of supporters, investors, and business community.

The 2022 Pitch Deck Competition was co-hosted by UNM Rainforest Innovations and the UNM Innovation Academy, the University of New Mexico’s technology-transfer and economic-development organization and entrepreneurial studies program. Sponsored by the UNM Rainforest Innovations Board of Directors, the competition offered a platform for student entrepreneurs who want to start, or are already operating an early-stage company, to present and launch their innovations. UNM Rainforest Innovations provided a $20,000 prize pool for the five finalists who pitched their innovative ideas and early-stage companies to investor judges.

Opening remarks were given by UNM President Garnett S. Stokes followed by Edgar Solis, Advocate of Right to Start and owner of Alma’s Salsa. Other speakers included Rob DelCampo, Ph.D., executive director of UNM Innovation Academy and Lisa Kuuttila, CEO & chief economic development officer of UNM Rainforest Innovations.