--- title: Pitt Ventures Student Challenge Awards Goes Virtural description: The Pitt Ventures Student Challenge switched to a virtual format for 2020. The teams were awarded prizes to move their work towards commercialization. image: https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/Pitt_Ventures/Pitt%20Ventures%20Student%20Challenge%20General.png --- [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) Menu Close - [About](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/) - [Who We Are](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/who-we-are/) - [Annual Reports](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/annual-reports/) - [Startups/Success Stories](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [News](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/news/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/) - [Innovation Institute Newsletters](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt_impact_newsletter/) - [Staff Directory](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Programs](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Program Listings](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Events](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/events-competitions/) - [Resources](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-ii-resources/) - [For Inventors](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/for-inventors/) - [Invention Disclosure](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/invention-disclosure/) - [Intellectual Property](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/) - [Inventor’s Guide](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/2021-inventors-guide/) - [Create A Startup](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/#anchortag-create-startup) - [Funding](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/funding/) - [For Industry](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Partner with Pitt](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Search Technologies](https://upitt.resoluteinnovation.com/explore) - [Explore Pitt Startups](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [Licensing Templates](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/licensing-templates/) - [Contact](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/contact/) - [Get Involved](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/get_involved) - [Become A Mentor](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/mentor/) ##### Connect with Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pittinnovates) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pittinnovates) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pitt-innovation-institute) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pittinnovates/) [Skip to main content](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-ventures-student-challenge-awards-goes-virtural#main) [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) Search for: Search Choose Research Site: Research Sites Pitt Research (main) Research Computing Research Protections Sponsored Programs Trade Compliance - [About](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/) - [Who We Are](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/who-we-are/) - [Annual Reports](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/annual-reports/) - [Startups/Success Stories](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [News](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/news/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/) - [Innovation Institute Newsletters](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt_impact_newsletter/) - [Staff Directory](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Programs](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Program Listings](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Events](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/events-competitions/) - [Navigate Our Offerings](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/navigate-our-programs-step-1/) - [Resources](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-ii-resources/) - [For Inventors](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/for-inventors/) - [Invention Disclosure](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/invention-disclosure/) - [Intellectual Property](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/) - [Inventor’s Guide](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/2021-inventors-guide/) - [Create A Startup](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/#anchortag-create-startup) - [Funding](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/funding/) - [For Industry](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Partner with Pitt](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Search Technologies](https://upitt.resoluteinnovation.com/explore) - [Explore Pitt Startups](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [Licensing Templates](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/licensing-templates/) - [Contact](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/contact/) - [Get Involved](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/get_involved) - [Submit Invention Disclosure](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/invention-disclosure/) # Pitt Ventures Student Challenge Awards Goes Virtural Posted on [October 23, 2020](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-ventures-student-challenge-awards-goes-virtural) In a year that threw the world a giant curve ball, the Pitt Ventures Student Challenge went virtual for 2020 and hit a home run. The new format did not dampen the enthusiasm of all those involved, from the students and their faculty sponsors, to the volunteer mentors and judges, who in the case of the Michael G. Wells Student Healthcare Competition, decided to change things up even further with a new twist on awarding the prizes. The Wells competition and the Kuzneski Innovation Cup celebrated their 10th and 5th anniversaries respectively in 2020. They have been crucial building blocks of the new culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that has emerged at Pitt since the establishment of the Innovation Institute in 2013. The Wells competition has produced 16 startups and another 6 licenses. The Kuzneski cup has produced 7 startups. Combined, Wells and Kuzneski competition participants have raised more than $30 million in follow-on funding. Here are the winners of the 2020 Pitt Ventures Student Challenge: ![PiitVent_SC_KUZNESKI Cup_4C Carousel 285x350](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/PiitVent_SC_KUZNESKI%20Cup_4C%20Carousel%20285x350.png?width=164&name=PiitVent_SC_KUZNESKI%20Cup_4C%20Carousel%20285x350.png) **3rd Place: $5,000 NanoNares ** NanoNares is a platform technology for pharmaceutical companies that develop respiratory drugs who experience high failure rates in clinical trials. Based on the principle that "the nose is the window to the lung," NanoNares uses nasal cells to generate robust data that improves drug efficacy testing, thereby reducing failure rates and associated costs. **2nd Place: $7,500 Al Smiles** For patients, dentists, and payers who want a seamless denture experience, the additive-manufactured denture dramatically reduces cost, number of appointments, and waste, providing a better experience for all involved. **1st place: $15,000 Charge OR** For perioperative care providers and administrators who struggle with the time-honored whiteboard system of scheduling staff and patients within the perioperative setting, Charge OR is a multi-platform web application that allows for the efficient delivery of real-time surgical and anesthetic scheduling information. --- ### ![PiitVent_SC_WELLS Comp 2020](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/PiitVent_SC_WELLS%20Comp%202020.png?width=127&name=PiitVent_SC_WELLS%20Comp%202020.png) Faced with three strong presentations in the Michael G. Wells Student Healthcare Competition, and with little daylight between them, the judges decided to make an award of $5,000 to each of the three teams. In the spring, they will be invited back to pitch again demonstrating the progress they have made on their innovations and their business plans, with a chance of receiving additional awards. “I appreciate the hard work these teams put into these presentations, and their delivery was excellent. It was our determination that these teams could use a little bit of money and a little more time to move their ideas along,” said Michael Wells, the competition’s benefactor. The teams receiving $5,000 each are: **Organ Perfusion Stent** An innovative endovascular device that provides oxygenated blood flow to critical abdominal organs to maintain organ health for transplant harvesting. **BioBulwark** A bactericidal graphene coating for mesh implants that provides long-lasting prevention of infection, superior to currently popular organic chemical coatings. **Biocarpet** A new endovascular device that can be thermoformed to treat peripheral arterial disease occurring in small and complex anatomies, including lesions occurring across joints. In the spring, they will be invited to pitch again and demonstrate the progress they have made on their innovations and business plans and have the opportunity to be awarded up to $15,000 in additional funding. You can view a replay of the entire the awards ceremony [here.](https://www.youtube.com/embed/2Pxb9fZrQP0) You can get a deeper look at the innovations from this year's competition [here.](https://upitt.resoluteinnovation.com/collect?fs=collection:%22336%22)       ##### Share on: - - - ### RECENT POSTS ### SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG [wordpress](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) [wordpress](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) 1st Floor Gardner Steel Conference Center (GSCC) 130 Thackeray Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15260 USA Phone: [412-383-7670](tel:+14123837670) ##### Pitt Innovation - [About](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/) - [Who We Are](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/who-we-are/) - [Annual Reports](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/annual-reports/) - [Startups/Success Stories](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [News](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/news/) - [Staff Directory](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Programs](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Programs](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Events](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/events-competitions/) - [Competitions](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/competitions/) - [Navigate Our Offerings](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/navigate-our-programs-step-1/) - [Resources](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/resources/) - [Commercialization](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/resource-type/commercialization/) - [Startup Formation](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/resource-type/startup-formation/) - [Funding Sources](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/resource-type/funding-sources/) - [Fundraising Basics](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/resource-type/fundraising-basics/) - [Physical Space](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/resource-type/physical-space/) - [Other](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/resource-type/other/) - [Licensing](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/resource-type/licensing/) - [Forms And Policies](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/forms-and-policies/) - [Get Involved](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/get-involved/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/) - [Contact](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/contact/) ##### Pitt Research Offices - [Pitt Research (main)](https://oep.pitt.edu/) - [Research Computing](https://svcresearch.pitt.edu/research-offices/office-research-computing) - [Research Protections](https://svcresearch.pitt.edu/research-offices/office-research-protections) - [Sponsored Programs](https://svcresearch.pitt.edu/research-offices/office-sponsored-programs) - [Trade Compliance](https://svcresearch.pitt.edu/research-offices/office-trade-compliance) ##### Connect with Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pittinnovates) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pittinnovates) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pitt-innovation-institute) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pittinnovates/) ###### We are part of The Office of Senior Vice Chancellor For Research Copyright © 2026 1st Floor Gardner Steel Conference Center (GSCC). 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