HWS News
13 February 2026 • Entrepreneurship 2026 Pitch Finalists Announced
Four students have advanced to the final round of HWS’ Shark-Tank style pitch competition.
Four students will compete in the final round of the Todd Feldman ’89 and Family Pitch Contest, where they will present their startup ideas for a chance to win $10,000. Chosen from a competitive field, Nicholas Jones ’26, Virginia Ritchay ’28, Tru Styles ’27 and David Charles II, “Duke” ’27 will present ventures that focus on sustainability, health, community engagement and creative entrepreneurship. Each student will make the case for their proposal’s market potential and scalability.
The finalists were selected by the HWS Pitch Committee and special alumni guest judge Penry Prince ’91. As the founder and managing partner at Charcoal Advisors, Price advises seed- and early-stage companies on strategy, helping them clarify their core principles, refine their value propositions, shape go-to-market strategies and assess product-market fit.
Alchemy Coffee Co. by Nicholas Jones '26 is a mobile café that sells natural beverages because they believe their customers deserve to feel good. Serving the local community, events and private venues in Saratoga, New York, Alchemy's mission is to spread the importance of quality ingredients, one cup of coffee at a time. Ingredients are sourced from local farms and coffee beans are directly sourced and roasted fresh. Alchemy Coffee creates beverages with the purpose of serving the mind and body of customers.
Inspired by lived experience, Virginia Ritchay ’28 founded Buddy ID, a wearable medical ID designed to advocate for individuals during medical emergencies. The bracelet combines thoughtful design with practical innovation by embedding a durable, laser-etched QR code that links first responders directly to up-to-date medical information.
Tru Styles ’27 has identified the opportunity to connect Finger Lakes businesses with HWS students who have business and marketing acumen. Through Motion Consulting Group, a student-powered consulting firm, locally owned businesses will modernize their digital presence, optimize operations and sustainably grow, while simultaneously creating paid, high-impact professional opportunities for students.
The Wave is a cutting-edge app designed to democratize access to affordable, authentic and sustainable streetwear. Founded by David Charles II, “Duke” ’27, the platform curates and features a rotating cohort of vetted emerging fashion brands, giving consumers confidence in pricing and quality while offering early-stage designers guaranteed exposure. Featured brands emphasize ethical production, sustainability standards and reinvestment in mental health initiatives.
The finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of expert alumni judges, who bring decades of experience in entrepreneurship, investment, data, technology and information security. Sabrina McKee Budd ’89, P’25, P’28 has built a career spanning investment banking, startup advisory work and corporate strategy, most recently advising growth-stage technology startups and leading acquisition strategy at Helen of Troy. Alan Worden ’87, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder and CEO of Community Data Platforms and co-founder of The Westmoor Club, brings experience working with leaders across government, business and nonprofits. An engaged campus volunteer, he recently served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence. He was the first speaker at the Michael ’59 and Ellen ’60 Opell IdeaLab program in this past Fall, which kicks off the entrepreneurial programs at the Bozzuto Center for Entrepreneurship each academic year. Chris Zoladz ’81 is the founder of Navigate LLC, a nationally recognized leader in privacy and information protection. He has served as Vice President of Information Protection & Privacy at Marriott International and led IT audit and security consulting services at Ernst & Young.
