Yesterday 13 undergraduate teams shared their entrepreneurial visions at the 2025 Big iDeas Pitch Competition. Each team presented an idea inspired by personal experiences or real-world problems, with solutions designed to create impact and change the game.
Congratulations to the winners:
Elevated, Diyaa Shah, Neema Mwangi, and Linh Vu Impact Threads Apparel, Daniel Kauffman and William Wright Sanum, Carlos Alvarez Maumejean HAWTCHA, William Zhao Grace, Cecilia Tipping BOOTCAMPUS, Johnna Sterett MIO, Iyanna Christie Quoting AI, Holden Price SunTap, Manuel Albarran
A special thanks to our judges (all SMU alumni!) Josh Baier (TIMIO News), Jasleen Dhillon (Assistant Director, Hunt Institute), and Moe Janmohammad (Adversarial Security Lead, Toyota), as well as the SMU Women’s Innovative Network for their support.
The Big iDeas Business Plan Competition will be taking place Friday, October 3 from 10am – 1pm in the Texana Room located on the second floor of Fondren Library. Advanced undergraduate student ventures will present a 4-minute pitch to a panel of judges for a chance to win up to $5,000 in seed funding.
The event is open to the public. Students, families, faculty, and staff are invited to attend and support these student entrepreneurs. RSVPs are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
The Big iDeas program empowers students to transform their entrepreneurial ideas into impactful ventures. We recently caught up with Ryland Adzich, a first-year student at SMU who jumped into her co-curricular journey early — not only as a Big iDeas participant but also as an Engaged Learning Fellow. Ryland shared the inspiration behind her philanthropic organization and gave us a glimpse into the meaningful work she is implementing across the DFW metroplex.
In Fall 2024, Ryland was the top winner of the Big iDeas Pitch Competition, earning $1,000 from the Big iDeas Program, along with an additional $1,000 Boost Award from the Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership for having the “Most Inspiring Idea” of the competition. In the upcoming academic year, Ryland will serve as the President of the Women’s Innovative Network – a new student organization and network that empowers women to innovate, connect, and support each other in their entrepreneurial and research endeavors.
Q: You’re wrapping up your first year at SMU! Tell us about what why you chose SMU in the first place.
Being invited as a Dedman Scholar, it was nice to feel wanted by a community and wanted by SMU as much as I wanted them. The research opportunities with faculty as an undergraduate student was another big one. I also love Dallas. I love the community of people and the students here. I really feel like people are trying to work together to uplift students to succeed on a national and international level.
Q: What is the organization you started and what inspired the social impact element of it?
The Creative Destination is a philanthropic organization that works to create literacy spaces in underserved communities and in laundromats. Think books, shelves, and posters — essentially a mini library. The reason why we chose laundromats was because those can be everyday spaces to children. Many times, children are spending significantly more time in those “everyday spaces” than in the classroom. So if we can encourage reading and parent-to-child communications, that will increase success in and outside of the classroom.
While I was in high school, I worked with a professor at the NYU Steinhardt School of Education in one of my tech labs in school. She had introduced this idea about literacy spaces in laundromats on the East Coast, but I wanted to adapt that so it would make sense for The Creative Destination and underserved communities in California. I was already thinking about my idea before the tech lab, but seeing this on a smaller scale on the East Coast gave me inspiration to go through with it.
Q:Tell us about your recent partnership with The Creative Destination and The Hockaday School in Dallas?
The Hockaday School already has an Institute for Social Impact. I was interested in mentoring younger students but also getting feedback for The Creative Destination. I get to work with girls who are already interested in giving back to their community. If I can enhance that and help them hold on to that through having them help me build these literacy spaces in laundromats across the city, then that’s important to me.
Ryland speaking and doing an activity at The Hockaday School in Fall 2024.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part about starting your own philanthropic organization from the ground up?
Getting to work with other data-driven people has been very exciting. Also, getting to see the benefits to people that are frequenting these laundromat spaces. Whether that be customers, or laundromat owners seeing their spaces be improved by encouraging reading, I just go back to how important building community to me. Laundromats can be a great place of building community. You know, you’re sitting there for maybe anhour and a half waiting for your clothes to dry and maybe talking to people. Hopefully just a little bit of time every day to read instead of being on a phone or a tablet can encourage kids to keep reading.
Q: What have you been able to do with the award money you received from The Big iDeas Program?
That funding has been helpful because we have been able to fund 5 new literacy spaces in laundromats across the country. Four will be in Dallas and one will be in California. Some of the girls that I’m mentoring at The Hockaday School are helping me with the Dallas spaces. I’m hopeful for next year as I continue to establish myself more in Dallas to grow my laundromat network.
In the next three months, I hope to give The Creative Destination a fresh new look. I want to use some of the funding to do logo and media updates to prepare for the upcoming year. I highly recommend bringing your ideas to the Big iDeas Pitch Competition.
What advice would you give to a first year student, specifically a student in Dedman, who is wanting to build their business when they come to SMU?
I would say don’t box yourself into one set way to think about a business. Business principles can be applied to organizations, programs, and initiatives that are outside of a traditional business framework. Operating The Creative Destination as a business is something that I want to continue to work on. Also, I would encourage students to just have fun on campus. Time really does fly, so take stock and enjoy all of the resources on campus. It’s all at our fingertips and we can make so many different connections.
Interested in bringing your ideas to life? Learn more about Big iDeas and other opportunities through The Office of Engaged Learning by visiting our website.
The Office of Engaged Learning held its first Spring Big iDeas Pitch Competition on Friday, April 11, where 10 student teams pitched their new idea to a panel of judges in 90 seconds.
Congratulations to the four winners of the Spring 2025 Pitch Competition:
You might be wondering why the Office of Engaged Learning is hosting a Big iDeas Pitch Contest in the spring semester instead of the fall. We are excited to share what is changing and why!
As Big iDeas program continues to evolve, we’re expanding our collaboration across the SMU entrepreneurship ecosystem— including The SMU Impact Lab, The Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership, and others. These strategic partnerships are helping us refine our focus: supporting students at the earliest stages of ideation and positioning them to move forward with confidence. Our goal is to guide students in shaping bold new ideas and prepare them to pursue advanced funding and specialized coaching through these next-level programs.
We are also embracing a new model for our pitch competition cycle. Instead of offering only one opportunity per academic year to pitch an idea, students will now have the opportunity to pitch an idea once in the fall and once in the spring semester.
Additionally, we are moving the Big iDeas Business Plan Competition to SMU Family Weekend! This exciting new timing gives us a chance to showcase our most advanced student ventures to a wider audience — including families, alumni, and the full SMU community.
A special thanks to our judges for this competition: Jake Batsell, Justin Childress, Jennifer Ebinger, and Marissa Heyl and the SMU Impact Lab for sponsoring an additional $500 award to Focus Path for having a creative social impact edge on their idea.
To learn more about the Big iDeas Program, visit us at smu.edu/bigideas.
The start of April was a big one for SMU Big iDeas students, who showcased their ventures on two national stages of collegiate entrepreneurship.
At the ACC InVenture Prize Competition, hosted by the University of Notre Dame, the TIMIO News team – Josh Baier, Abbie Ellermeier, and JustusWoods – represented SMU as they pitched their venture alongside student teams from 12 other ACC universities.
Left to Right (Abbie Ellermeier, Justus Woods, Josh Baier)
Josh Baier (’24), CEO and Founder, said, “My favorite part of the ACC InVenture was meeting a community of young entrepreneurs. It was incredible to meet other people my age living through the same ups and downs of the entrepreneurship cycle.”
Abbie Ellermeier, Lead Designer, said, “My favorite part was seeing all the innovative ideas the other groups presented. It was so fun to be around so many bright, young minds all trying to make the world a better place.”
Justus Woods, Lead Campaign Manager, said he enjoyed “getting to meet so many world changers who wanted to make a positive impact in the world. Their creativity and perseverance was incredibly infectious.”
Back in Texas, Senior Jude Lugo and Junior Ryland Robb took the stage with 41 other finalist companies from all over the world at the TCU Values and Ventures Competition in Fort Worth to pitch LectureLogger, an app that tracks attendance and promotes student wellness for colleges and universities.
Left to Right (Ryland Robb, Jude Lugo)
Lecture Logger had an exceptional showing at the competition. After pitching in the lightning rounds, they advanced to place in the top quarter of participants over the weekend.
Judges praised the team’s strong engagement, confident delivery, and clear grasp of both the facts and the business model. The pitch was visually compelling, and both presenters brought a sharp, business-focused approach.
They also recognized Lecture Logger’s broad value for students – supporting wellbeing and academic success – and, interestingly, highlighted its specific relevance for student-athletes as a cost effective way to track attendance and ensure NCAA compliance.
A big congratulations to all of our Big iDeas students making their mark all across the country!
SMU Alumnus Joshua Baier (’24) and his team, Justus Woods and Abbie Ellermeier, are set to take the stage at the ACC InVenture Prize Competition on Wednesday, April 2nd.
To vote for TIMIO for the People’s Choice Award, text “SMU” to 415-965-7445. The voting will open at 12:01am on Monday, March 31st and will close approximately at 6:45PM CST on Wednesday, April 2nd.
The competition will begin at 6:00pm CST on Wednesday, April 2nd. To watch the competition live, use this link.
Download TIMIO today from the app store or as a Chrome extension!
Some of SMU’s best and brightest innovators are set to represent the Hilltop at the ACC InVenture Prize Competition this April – an innovation competition where undergraduate teams from each ACC university pitch their inventions or businesses for the chance to win $30,000 in prizes for their company.
This year, SMU will be represented by TIMIO News, a set of AI tools that identify fake news and recommend articles with different viewpoints, empowering users to navigate the news media landscape with confidence. The team is led by Founder and CEO Josh Baier ’24 (left), alongside Campaign Manager Justus Woods (middle), and Lead Designer Abbie Ellermeier (right). The team was selected after winning an internal SMU pitch-off at the beginning of January.
This year will mark SMU’s second year competing in the ACC InVenture Prize Competition. In 2024, SMU was represented by SteadiSpoon, founded by Raleigh Dewan (’23) and VP of Operations Mason Morland (’24).
Stay tuned to follow TIMIO’s journey as they represent SMU on a national stage! You can download TIMIO now as a mobile app or chrome extension. More details to come on how to stream the live event and vote for People’s Choice Team on Wednesday, April 2nd.
We are excited to highlight the entrepreneurial journey of SMU alum Josh Baier (’24), founder of TIMIO News LLC.
TIMIO News, set to fully launch soon, is an innovative platform designed to provide users an unbiased news feed using GenAI to analyze news articles from across the web. Baier’s journey began while he was a student in the SMU Big iDeas program, where he developed foundational components of his business and honed his skills in innovation and leadership.
As an SMU student, Baier found the Big iDeas program instrumental in shaping his path, providing resources and capital that fueled his entrepreneurial drive. Now, with a team that includes other SMU Students (Abbie Ellermeier, Isabella Fleet, Justus Woods), TIMIO is inspiring other team members to take part in Big iDeas – including Big iDeas Pitch Contest winner, Isabella Fleet.
The Office of Engaged Learning recently sat down with Josh for an interview to discuss more about his vision for TIMIO and his insights on building a successful startup while being a collegiate entrepreneur. To hear more about Baier’s story and the upcoming launch of TIMIO, watch the full interview here.
Neha Husein graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2019 with degrees in Human Rights and Marketing. Driven by a strong commitment to social impact, she founded Just Drive, a startup focused on reducing distracted driving accidents. Today, Neha is the Senior Event Producer for Vegandale, an international festival that celebrates vegan food, music, and art. In addition to her professional achievements, Neha is passionate about mentoring and supporting collegiate entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges of starting and growing their own ventures.
Tell us a little bit about your professional journey since graduating from SMU.
“Right after I graduated, I worked full time with my start up Just Drive. It was a steep learning experience going from college to learning how to navigate working as a full-time professional. Ultimately, the covid pandemic hit and I had to pivot my business which very much served small businesses. I was then approached by another startup, ZSTACH, and their mission very much aligned with my environmental goals and passions. This was very cool starting another app from scratch. I learned how much my skills developed from when I was running my own startup and how my skills can transfer into other jobs and other industries.”
In what ways do you think your entrepreneurship experience can enhance the E-Launch workshops for students this year? Any skills you have that stand out?
“My entrepreneurship experience allows me to provide practical, real-world insights into the startup journey, from ideation to execution. My ability to relate with and mentor students on a personal level can create a supportive and inspiring environment for them.”
What makes you most excited about being the E-Fellow at this point in your career?
“Being an E-Fellow at this point in my career excites me because it combines my passion for entrepreneurship with my desire to give back to the community that shaped me. I am thrilled to be in a position where I can challenge and support young entrepreneurs, helping them turn their ideas into viable businesses. This role allows me to leverage my experience and network to create meaningful impact and foster a culture of innovation and creativity at SMU.”
Besides being an SMU and Big iDeas alum, what makes coming back “home” to SMU so special this time around?
“Coming back to SMU is special because it feels like a full-circle moment. SMU and the Big iDeas program played a significant role in my personal and professional development, providing me with the foundation and support to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. Returning as the E-Fellow allows me to contribute to the same ecosystem that nurtured me and to help shape the future of entrepreneurship at SMU. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with mentors, peers, and the vibrant community that has always felt like home.”
Why should an SMU student build their entrepreneurship base for their business idea while in college? What are the benefits to starting in that season of life?
“Building an entrepreneurship base while in college provides several benefits. College students have access to a wealth of resources, including mentorship, funding opportunities, and a supportive community of like-minded peers. Starting a business in college allows students to experiment and take risks in a relatively low-stakes environment. They can leverage their academic knowledge, gain practical experience, and develop a strong network that can support their entrepreneurial endeavors. Additionally, the skills and experiences gained from starting a business in college can be invaluable, regardless of whether the venture succeeds or fails, as they prepare students for future professional challenges.”
Neha will also be a panelist at the next Big iDeas Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday, October 1st, discussing “How to Build Your Brand.” To learn more information and register, visit SMU 360.
The invitation for Ryder McNeal ‘24, to dream big was prompted four years ago by a simple yard sign on Dallas Lawn for the Big iDeas Pitch Competition. This moment clearly made an impression, too, because McNeal, stayed intrigued about Big iDeas throughout his journey at SMU. However, it wasn’t until the fall of his senior year that McNeal decided to pitch an idea at the intersection of film, marketing, business and entrepreneurship. And a good idea it was, for his company, PREVO, was the top winner of the Big iDeas Business Plan Competition this past February!
PREVO, McNeal’s exciting new company, is a streaming platform dedicated to showing a curated catalogue of independent or student-made films, from film-makers across the country. After Big iDeas awarded prize money to McNeal, he dove deeper into his business through the Big iDeas E-Launch.
E-Launch is a robust training series powered by the Office of Engaged Learning that offers workshops and guest speakers to develop student businesses. This past year it was led by Entrepreneurship Fellow Michael Kelly (Founder, Resolute Future) and the Big iDeas team. McNeal said that E-Launch was “truly the catalyst in helping him flesh out {his} ideas and gain the feedback that was needed in order for PREVO to be successful.”
Since the pitch competition last fall, PREVO has found collaborations across SMU’s campus. Roseanne Hart, an adjunct professor in both the Division of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, and the Division of Journalism’s Fashion Media program, asked McNeal if PREVO could be the focal point a public relations class this Spring. Hart’s PR students are tasked with creating a launch and marketing plan for PREVO and will present their plans to McNeal at the end of the semester. “I’m really excited that PREVO could be used for students in an academic space, but also that I can be encouraged by the launch plans they come up with. Hopefully, it can really help frame how I launch PREVO this summer,” said McNeal.
PREVO is set to fully launch in mid-July of 2024, on the date of McNeal’s birthday. As McNeal is concluding his final semester on the Hilltop, he has shifted many of his larger efforts towards the marketing for PREVO. He is reaching out to film faculty members and film festivals across the country, hoping to generate excitement within film schools and cities that celebrate independent films regularly. In addition to marketing, McNeal is working on getting a student ambassador for PREVO.
For a while, independent films were all that McNeal could take on with the resources that he had, but creating PREVO has deepened his appreciation for small-scale films as a whole.
All of these efforts “were made possible to me through receiving Big iDeas funding. The financial support helped be build out the steps I needed to take to be prepared to launch this summer and I am extremely grateful,” said McNeal. And for the student who may need some encouragement for starting their business or sees a simple yard sign on Dallas Lawn, McNeal says, “get involved with the things you love! Get involved as much as you possibly can because there are so many ways to do a lot with a little, especially while you’re in college.”
