From Idea to Pitch: The Journey to Sharkfest
Author Jennifer Lee '25 is a Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship major and works as a student assistant at JWU, contributing to JWU News.
JWU’s 2025 Sharkfest competition showcased the entrepreneurial spirit of JWU students as they pitched their business ideas to a panel of industry professionals.
After months of preparation, pitch refinements, guidance from the Larry Friedman Center for Entrepreneurship (eCenter) and its director, Jeffrey Binczyk ’24 DBA (AKA “Dr. Jeff”), it all came down to this moment. Each finalist delivered a compelling case for their business, but in the end, only one could take home the title.
After an intense competition, Alexie Gerve ’25 of Camp Vitality emerged as the winner, impressing the judges with a pitch that highlighted a critical need for children with disabilities. The other finalists also showcased innovative and impactful ideas. Here's the complete rundown:
- First Place: Alexie Gerve ’25
- Second Place: Logan Daubel ’25
- Third Place: Randy Benitez ’27
- Audience Choice Winner: Alexi Raglin ’25
- Finalist: Marlena Williams ’25
With such a competitive field of aspiring entrepreneurs, it was up to an esteemed panel of judges to evaluate each pitch based on innovation, feasibility and impact. This year’s Sharkfest panel featured industry leaders and JWU faculty members, bringing a diverse range of expertise to the table.
Judging Panel
- Akisch “Kisch” Lenus ’14, Social Enterprise Greenhouse senior manager of ecosystem engagement and partnerships
- Nicholas Szymanski ’07, ELLKAY chief operating officer
- Associate Professor Issac Damoah
- Assistant Professor Jennifer Parisi
Guest Speaker
The guest speaker for the 2025 Sharkfest was JWU alum Jaelynn Accola ’24. Accola is the public relations and events coordinator at Mother Earth Wellness as well as the CEO of Highest Peak Edibles and Accola Consulting. A Sharkfest 2024 finalist, Accola took 2nd place for Highest Peak Edibles last year.
First Place
Alexie Gerve ’25, Camp Vitality
Connecticut summer camp for children and young adults with physical and emotional disabilities
Taking home the top prize at Sharkfest, Alexie Gerve’s Camp Vitality aims to provide an inclusive summer camp experience for children and young adults with physical and emotional disabilities in Connecticut. Driven by a deep passion for accessibility and inclusion, Alexie’s vision extends beyond being a seasonal program.
“I’ve always been passionate about creating a summer camp for children with disabilities, as I saw firsthand the need for more inclusive options,” Alexie shared. “Dr. Jeff played a huge role in pushing me to think bigger than just a summer camp, helping me shift my perspective on the business side. Now, I’m considering ways to turn this idea into something with year-round impact, which has been a huge growth moment for me.”
Sharkfest not only helped Alexie refine her business model, but it also gave her the tools and connections to bring her vision to life. “It’s definitely a must for anyone who wants to take their entrepreneurial ideas further,” she said.
With her win, Alexie is now focused on expanding Camp Vitality into a lasting resource for children and young adults with disabilities, ensuring they have a space to learn, grow and build community, year-round.
After the competition, I caught up with Alexie for more details.
Your pitch clearly stood out to the judges. What do you think made your business idea and presentation so compelling?
“I think it was really about the impact. There are so many children, especially those with disabilities, who don’t have access to the services they need. That’s why I believe my idea resonated.”
What do you think was the biggest challenge you faced?
“The biggest challenge was definitely my nerves. I was extremely nervous, and it showed in my presentation. But I kept going — I bounced back, and I’m so grateful for that. My advice to anyone is: keep going, don’t stop.”
Alexie’s journey to first place at Sharkfest highlights the power of perseverance and a clear vision for making a meaningful impact. Despite facing nerves, she overcame the challenge and delivered a pitch that reflected her deep passion for inclusivity. With the $5,000 prize in hand, Alexie is now even more equipped to expand Camp Vitality, and her future as an entrepreneur is full of potential and promise.
Second Place
Logan Daubel ’25, InfiniChair
Modular wheelchair design that eliminates need to purchase additional wheelchairs as a child grows
“I was inspired to join Sharkfest after seeing past participants succeed, and I’ve always wanted to build a business of my own. The experience has been incredibly helpful, especially in refining the business side of things and staying organized. My goal is to create a wheelchair that grows with the user, disrupting an industry where people currently have to buy multiple expensive wheelchairs over their lifetime. Market analysis is going to be key, but I believe this idea has the potential to change lives. You never know — one idea could turn into a million-dollar opportunity.”
Third Place
Randy Benitez ’27, ReWriter
App that converts guitar strumming into musical notes in real time
“I've been working on this project for years, and Sharkfest has really helped me focus on key tasks that will eliminate a lot of the smaller stressors. With Jeff’s guidance, I've learned to prioritize the bigger picture, breaking down complex challenges into manageable steps. It’s all about staying strategic and accountable, especially as I juggle marketing, development and my presentation. The process has been stressful, but with the right mindset I'm pushing forward and seeing real progress,” shared Randy, a JWU Online student.
Audience Choice Winner
Alexander “Alexi” Raglin ’25, Green Thumb Gardening
AI tool that provides garden recommendations, purchasing plants and flowers online and education about food nutrition and food insecurity
“When I first got involved with the Launch Pad Center earlier this fall, Dr. Jeff introduced me to Sharkfest, and I immediately knew I wanted to do it. The idea behind Green Thumb Gardening is something I feel deeply passionate about — not just for JWU and the CFIT community, but for the world. The issues I’m hoping to tackle resonate with so many people, and Sharkfest felt like the perfect platform to share that vision. Getting involved with the Launch Pad Center really became the catalyst for my progress. Dr. Jeff played an integral role in helping me create a plan, structure my ideas and turn all my brainstorming into something tangible.”
Finalist
Marlena Williams ’25, Proactive Administrative Solutions
Cayman Islands-based company that provides virtual administrative services for startups
“I was actually a finalist last year, too,” said Marlena, and I’ve been working with Binczyk since the fall of 2023. “Whether Sharkfest was on the table or not, I had been building this business with his guidance, and he encouraged me to apply again. It’s the same business idea as before, but this time, I was able to pilot it and collect more data, which gave me a stronger foundation for my pitch. I have a lot of anxiety when it comes to public speaking, but the support I’ve received has given me the confidence to step up on that stage and go for it. Dr. Jeff is incredibly persuasive — he genuinely believes in us, and that belief makes you believe in yourself. That alone makes the experience worth it."
With the competition now wrapped up, we can take a look back at how the competitors prepared and the type of support they received from Binczyk and the eCenter.
Turning Ideas into Impact
Every great business begins with an idea — one that has the potential to make an impact. For students at JWU, that first spark of inspiration is just the beginning. The process of developing an idea into a business concept is a collaborative and supportive journey, with resources available at every stage to help shape, refine and validate those ideas. The eCenter plays a pivotal role in guiding students through the early stages of idea development.
Launch Pad Club
Under Binczyk's leadership, the Launch Pad Club offers a range of free resources, including logo design, social media, content creation, website design and more. The club fosters connections with industry professionals, professors and alumni while offering networking opportunities and workshops. Students can refine their pitches, test their concepts and receive constructive feedback to strengthen their ventures, ensuring they are well-prepared for competitions like Sharkfest.
The Preparation Process
Workshops and Coaching
Students participate in pitch workshops, one-on-one coaching sessions and practice meetings where they receive guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and faculty members.
Mock Presentations
Practicing in front of faculty, mentors and peers helps students refine their pitches, gain confidence and implement valuable feedback before the big day.
Strategic Feedback
Real-time critiques from industry professionals help students fine-tune their delivery, strengthen their business models and develop persuasive storytelling techniques.
As an entrepreneurship student myself I’m always looking for ways to challenge myself and refine my business ideas. When Binczyk encouraged me to apply to Sharkfest, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to put my skills to the test. Here is a peek into my personal entrepreneurial journey as well as how my prep for Sharkfest continues to help shape my road to success.
My Path to Launching JLee Bakery
My journey as an entrepreneur started long before Sharkfest. I’ve been passionate about baking since I was 8 years old, dreaming of owning my own bakery for as long as I can remember. After graduating high school, I continued to hone my skills and explore my craft. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I found myself baking more than ever during quarantine, with more desserts than I could possibly eat. That’s when inspiration struck.
I started selling macarons through my personal Instagram and delivering them locally. Within weeks, thanks to encouragement from a friend, I launched a dedicated Instagram account and JLee Bakery was born. What started as an Instagram-only venture quickly became something much bigger.
During a time of uncertainty, JLee Bakery stood out for its no-contact delivery service, allowing people to enjoy desserts and celebrate life’s moments safely from the comfort of their homes. The business brought joy to many and steadily grew. In just six months, I expanded my operation by launching a website, joining Yelp, Google Business and obtaining my Cottage Food Operation License to officially certify JLee Bakery as a home bakery. After running my bakery full-time for a couple of years, I decided to further my education at JWU to earn a B.S. degree in Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship.
I applied to participate in this year’s Sharkfest, working closely with Binczyk, who has been an invaluable mentor. We met weekly, focusing on perfecting my pitch, refining my business plan and exploring strategies to grow JLee Bakery.
Although I wasn’t selected as a Sharkfest finalist this year, the experience has been incredibly rewarding. What I’ve learned through the process about pitching, business development and marketing has been invaluable.
One of the best parts of JWU’s entrepreneurial support system is that whether you’re a finalist or not, the resources don’t stop. Binczyk and The Launch Pad continue to provide guidance, mentorship and access to tools that will help me strengthen my business plan and take JLee Bakery to the next level.
I’m set to graduate in May 2025 and am already planning my next big move — opening a brick-and-mortar bakery in Mystic, Connecticut, where I’ll bring my lifelong dream to reality. Sharkfest was just one step in the journey, and thanks to the continued support from JWU, I know I’m on the right path.
So, what’s stopping you? Take advantage of JWU’s incredible resources and start your own entrepreneurial journey today!