Georgetown Entrepreneurship Announces Finalists for the ‘Bark Tank’ Leonsis Family Entrepreneurship Prize

The eight finalist teams in the running for the $100,000 Leonsis Family Entrepreneurship Prize at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business have been selected by Georgetown Entrepreneurship to pitch their business ideas at the upcoming “Bark Tank” event on November 2, 2022. 

For the past month, finalists have been working with their assigned mentors and advisors, developing their presentations, and considering the opportunities the prize may open to further build their ventures. A judging panel of experienced entrepreneurs will select the total number of recipient(s) as well as the size of each prize within an annual limit of $100,000. All eight teams invited to present at Bark Tank will receive a cash prize of some amount with the top prize of $30,000 going to the first place team. 

The eight finalists for the 2022 Bark Tank Competition are:

Budeli is a property tech amenity that partners with residential complexes to provide $2 food delivery for apartment residents to help them get local food delivered for 45% less. It is led by Carlos Belo (MBA’22) and Jinsung Bach (MBA’22).

Dreame provides women and queer people with life coaching, tools, and advice through social media to help them attract the romantic partner and life of their dreams. It is led by Victor Dreame (C’23).

LUCIO is a social gaming platform that uses shared interests, shared experiences, and geolocation matching algorithms to connect users of similar interests, age, and proximity, providing research-supported ways to bond through gameplay and other shared experiences. It is led by Victoria Gomes-Boronat (G’22).

Tessen designs innovative camera products inspiring photographers to travel often and carry light. It is led by Kilian Liptrot (L’23).

Homemade in DC is an online marketplace connecting local food entrepreneurs to businesses, offering corporate catering and custom gift boxes that are sourced locally from women, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs. It is led by Mackenzie Loy (MBA/MPP’22).

Chestr is a universal, single click, wishlist that lets you save items, add them to lists, share them with friends, and track discounts. It is led by Besart Copa (SFS’22).

Proxy Foods offers the world’s first B2B flavor optimization AI platform specifically created for alternative proteins. By consolidating and transforming billions of data points into answers, food companies can develop better products, faster, through computational modeling and guided innovation. It is led by Panos Kostopoulos (G’22).

Global Pal empowers small and medium-sized restaurants through an easy-to-use, cost-effective mobile payment platform. It is led by Neal Singal (B’23) and Alex Krauel. 

The Leonsis Family Entrepreneurship Prize is supported by longtime entrepreneur Ted Leonsis (C’77, P’14, P’15); his wife, Lynn; his son, Zach (MBA‘15); and his daughter, Elle (C’14).

Aligning with the Jesuit values of Georgetown University, the Leonsis Family Entrepreneurship Prize honors and supports Georgetown students who have launched or are preparing to launch new business ventures that will address problems in the world around them. Ultimately, the Leonsis Family Entrepreneurship Prize builds awareness around the innovation and accomplishments of Georgetown’s entrepreneurs and strengthens the university’s reputation as a place where ambitious students can turn their passions into entrepreneurial ventures. 

To learn more information and attend the Leonsis Family Entrepreneurship Prize, visit this website or watch last year’s competition.