More than 140 University of Nebraska–Lincoln students presented their ideas in three minutes to panels of judges at the annual 3-2-1 Quick Pitch hosted by the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship. Now in its 17th year, the event drew students from eight colleges across campus, marking its largest competition to date.
“This event continues to show how vibrant the culture of entrepreneurship is across our entire university,” said Sam Nelson, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, Bauermeister Family Presidential Chair in Entrepreneurship and associate professor of practice in management. “We had students from many disciplines sharing creative ideas and learning how to communicate their value clearly.”
Held throughout Howard L. Hawks Hall, students competed in 13 groups, each producing two winners who received individual $500 prizes. The setup allowed competitors to pitch in open spaces, challenging them to think and present outside their comfort zones.
As a first-time competitor, Chelsea Mahloch said the experience gave her both courage and practical feedback. A freshman management major from Waterloo, Nebraska, she competed with her jewelry business, Charmed by Chels, which features handmade beaded and wire-wrapped pieces she designs and sells herself.
“I was scared at first, but it ended up being an amazing opportunity,” she said. “I loved hearing what the judges had to say about how to grow my business, and it made me want to keep building.”
Nancy Williams, managing partner of Block 27 Consulting and one of the center's entrepreneurship fellows, praised students for their focus and openness to feedback.
“A lot of people have ideas, but fewer start, and even fewer keep going,” Williams said. “It takes courage to stand up, share your idea and believe in yourself. What matters next is how they take the feedback and whether they'll continue to show up for themselves. That’s the mindset that leads to success.”
Three competition groups featured students from the center's Entrepreneurship Accelerator program, giving those already running ventures a chance to compete against peers at similar stages of startup development.
"Getting to judge a group of Accelerator students this year is great, as it was the strongest group of presenters I've seen," said Bart Dillashaw, a longtime judge who founded the Enterprise Legal Studio and is one of the center's entrepreneurship fellows. “Students were prepared, confident and clearly thinking about how to turn their concepts into viable ventures.”
Mallory Krenk, the center's student engagement and recruitment coordinator, said many judges shared they saw more confident and prepared pitches this year. She credits the students’ preparation to taking advantage of the center's assistance offered in the lead-up to the competition.
“We love seeing so many students step up to compete, from freshmen to Ph.D. students,” she said. “Many practiced through their entrepreneurship classes, some got peer feedback as part of their entrepreneurship-related cohort programs and others participated in the center’s open pitch nights. They work hard to get ready, and that experience helped them gain confidence and deliver more refined presentations.”
Nelson said the Quick Pitch reflects the center’s mission to make entrepreneurship accessible to every student on campus.
“We want every Husker to know that if they have an idea, there’s a place and a process to help them pursue it,” he said. “Events like this show what happens when students take that first step.”
Following is a list of 2025 Quick Pitch winners, listed alphabetically by hometown, with their year in school and academic major(s).
Nebraska
Cozad: Dante Dyches-Chandler, senior, data science and philosophy
Grand Island: Kenny Morales, junior, computer science
Hastings: Bryson Rader, senior, agronomy
Imperial: Ava McNair, sophomore, management; Mason Tyerman, sophomore, marketing
Lincoln: Amer Ali, junior, business administration and Clifton Builders management; Brock Anderson, sophomore, advertising & public relations and sports media & communications; Amir Tarkian, senior, computer science and finance; Ellie Volk, junior, advertising & public relations
McCook: Isabelle Clause, freshman, graphic design
Milford: Karlee Kuklis, freshman, marketing
Murdock: Nathan Lockman, senior, PGA golf management
Omaha: Alex Fitch, freshman, finance and software engineering; Abby Flaugh, senior, accounting, management, and hospitality, restaurant & tourism management; Judy Gelber, Ph.D. student, leadership studies; Gus Neary, freshman, agribusiness
Raymond: Larkin Barry, junior, marketing
Waterloo: Chelsea Mahloch, freshman, management
York: Elle Malleck, freshman, business administration
Elsewhere
Elmwood, Illinois: Brooke Parrish, Ph.D. student, animal science
Round Lake, Illinois: Anthony Sementa, junior, food science & technology
Wauconda, Illinois: Noelle Dadian, freshman, management
Wheaton, Illinois: Clara Delzell, junior, computer science
Waverly, Iowa: Carson Reznicek, junior, data science
Fargo, North Dakota: Charlie Bernhardt, sophomore, accounting, data science and finance
Horace, North Dakota: Kennedy Colter, junior, marketing
