News and Events

The Venture Design Challenge provides an opportunity for the College’s most promising student entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas in a competition. The goal of the challenge is to empower first-time and aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and support to bring a brand-new business to life. 

The 2023 winning team, Project Rummana, secured $5,000 to develop a mental health program for school children in Bangladesh teaching resilience and positive coping skills. Art history major Astrid Houze de Aulnoit ’23, economics and finance double major Taquil Ghani ’25, music and communication double major Alex Glassman ’23, and business marketing major Jacob Peterson ’23 worked together on developing this project.

Growing up in Bangladesh, Project Rummana co-founder Ghani witnessed a growing mental health crisis and the social stigmas that compounded the problem. Ghani said he saw suicide rates rise to alarming rate and felt compelled to act.

“Winning this competition will allow us to conduct our workshops in Bangladeshi schools,” the team said in a statement. “This is not just an idea we are pitching, but a real mental health curriculum that we will bring into the schools. With the grand prize, we will be able to change kids' lives, helping them flourish and thrive.”

The pitch competition is made possible by the generous support of David Katzin ’58 and is run by Director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program Kate Jackson.

“We prepare our students to design a positive future for themselves and others, addressing problems in ways that will ultimately improve lives and change the world,” Jackson said. “I want our students to truly believe they matter and that their ideas matter.”

Pitch participants connect with mentors, receive coaching, and compete for a share of $10,000 in total prizes, transforming their idea into action.

The competition is designed for students with an early-stage social impact or business idea.

2023 winners

Project Rummana  ($5,000 prize) 

Mental health program for school children in Bangladesh teaching resilience and positive coping skills

Venture Track: Social Impact Venture  

Venture Founders:

Astrid Houze’ de Aulnoit ’23 

Taquil Ghani ’25  

Alex Glassman ’23

Jacob Peterson ’23

Pawsitive ($1,600 prize) 

A product that alleviates dogs separation anxiety when their owners are away for work or travel  

Venture Track: Business Venture  

Venture Founders:  

Arthur Czyzewski ’23

Jenna Burkey ’24

Phoenix-Rose Honeycutt ’23 

AMC Design ($1,600 prize + $200 Audience Favorite)  

Helping schools redesign their classrooms for students with learning needs  

Venture Track: Social Impact Venture  

Venture Founders:  

Maddie Consiglio ’24

Christina Hartley ’24

Andres Mestre ’24  

Dock Social ($1,600 prize) 

A social media app to help content creators and small business owners share content, news, and information across multiple social media platforms simultaneously 

Venture Track: Business Venture  

Venture Founders:  

Ian Cox ’24

Saleem Younus ’23

The Venture Design Challenge is open to all current Lake Forest College students regardless of year or major.