When 22 NIU students stepped up to pitch their boldest business ideas on April 5, they weren’t just competing for prizes—they were testing whether their visions could stand up to real-world scrutiny. At the Third Annual De La Vega Innovation Pitch Competition hosted by the NIU College of Business, members of the 71 North Partnership Studio claimed two of the top three spots. The format was demanding: five-minute pitches followed by questions from judges Tobi Oladejo, Rujanee Mahakanjana (BFA ‘00, MFA ‘05), and April Randazzo (MBA ‘24), who evaluated each pitch on innovation, feasibility, and presentation.

The Winners

First place went to MISSION, an AI-powered robotic guide dog led by first-year CEET students Han Ju and Rudy Ruelas—a project that could revolutionize mobility for the visually impaired. Second place was awarded to Tax Architects, with Arun Kumararaj, Nick Harris, and Igor Maslov pitching a comprehensive video course for aspiring tax professionals. The competition was tight enough that judges declared a tie for third place, with both winners coming from 71 North Partnership Studio members.

71 North Studio’s Success

Anthem, pitched by Jermar Johnson, proposes a “stock market for music” a platform that could change how artists and fans interact with music as an investment. “This win means so much to me,” Johnson said. “It validates the fact that people are intrigued by my idea and are interested in the product. Additionally, it gives me confidence in my ability to sell my product as an entrepreneur. I was exposed to the kind of competition I will face later down the road as a tech entrepreneur.” The College App, led by Nikhil Doddaga, tied for third with a solution aimed at simplifying the college application process. The 71 North Studio’s influence extended to the competition’s mentors as well: Danita Sims, a self-published author and nonprofit leader, and Federico Bassetti, assistant director for NIU’s Office of Innovation, both guided participants through the preparation process.

Building Confidence Through Competition

The De La Vega Innovation Pitch Competition creates a testing ground where students learn whether their ideas resonate and what it feels like to compete in the entrepreneurial arena. For 71 North Partnership Studio members, the results validate the studio’s approach of combining hands-on experience, mentorship, and real-world challenges. As Johnson noted, competitions like these expose students to the realities they’ll face beyond campus—and winning builds the confidence needed to keep pushing forward.