Students, faculty, alumni, and community members gathered on April 9 to support finalists in the annual Patriot Pitch Competition at George Mason University. The event featured a new Regional Showcase highlighting innovation from alumni, previous pitch teams, and entrepreneurs who completed programs with the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the Costello College of Business.
Cheryl Druehl, interim dean of the Costello College of Business, said: “The Patriot Pitch Competition is an event where innovation takes center stage. It is a time when George Mason University students, faculty, and staff come together in collaboration with our alumni, business community, sponsors, and many others to support our emerging entrepreneurs—many of whom will go on to play key roles in the vibrant and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that is driving the growth of our regional economy.”
Omar Soliman, co-founder of College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk and Moving and keynote speaker at the event alongside Jabs Totonji of Golden Eagle Group Inc., discussed his journey from participating in pitch competitions to building a large franchise company. Soliman emphasized hiring people with positive attitudes and fostering healthy conflict for productive results.
This year’s competition saw 63 applications submitted across four tracks: Innovative Ideas; Social Impact; Future Founders; and Early-Stage Ventures. Eight teams advanced as finalists while 16 businesses competed for prize money in the Regional Showcase. The total prize pool was $60,000. Audience members also voted for Patriots’ Choice Awards winners ArcAid and EduVerse.
Patrick Soleymani, associate dean for outreach and strategic engagement at Costello College of Business said: “We’re proud to celebrate the makers, dreamers, and doers shaping our region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Innovation has always been humanity’s greatest team sport—and here at Costello, we’re playing to win.”
The competition drew more than 275 attendees with nearly 200 individuals actively involved as participants or supporters. Funding came from donors including Joe Contrucci through trusts associated with Donald G. Costello Declaration of Trust as well as Sara Costello Exempt Trusts among others.
Beyond awarding prizes to innovative ventures each year—including first-place finishes by AgentForge Inc., ArcAid, DealFax,and EduVerse—the Patriot Pitch Competition continues its role in celebrating entrepreneurship within George Mason University.
