Bison Pitch winners to represent Nichols at WooTank competition
Entrepreneurial energy was on display at Nichols College as students pitched innovative solutions at this year’s Bison Pitch competition, a Shark Tank-style contest where students present business ideas and real-world ventures aimed at solving today’s challenges.
Joe Pieczynski and Adam Warner earned top honors at Bison Pitch, held on March 30, thereby winning the chance to represent Nichols at the WooTank Intercollegiate Showdown on Monday, April 7, at Off the Rails in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Hosted by Venture Forum—a Central Massachusetts startup community and nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs through educational programs, networking and resources—WooTank gives student innovators from local colleges the opportunity to pitch their ventures to investors and compete for real-time feedback, mentorship and potential funding. Participants from Clark University, Holy Cross and Worcester Polytechnic Institute will also take the stage.
Reflecting the College’s focus on entrepreneurship and bridging theory with practice, the high-energy Bison Pitch event featured students selling their ideas in a one-to-one format to alumni and guest judges. Students were scored on criteria such as clarity, innovation and market potential. Top ventures advanced to a final round, where seven-minute pitches were judged on feasibility, scalability and presentation quality to determine who would move on to WooTank.
“The creativity and drive our students showed was truly impressive,” said Bison Pitch event organizer Tim Liptrap, associate professor of entrepreneurship and sport management. “This competition is one way Nichols students put experiential learning into action—with hands-on opportunities to develop, pitch and refine real business ideas in front of alumni and industry professionals. We’re excited to see Joe and Adam carry that momentum forward as they represent Nichols at WooTank.”
Pieczynski and Warner’s winning concept, Aerowash, proposes a technology-driven approach to complex and high-risk cleaning. Using advanced drones equipped with GPS, phased radar and multispectral sensors, their solution targets inefficiencies in cleaning tall buildings, solar panels and other unique structures. The approach aims to reduce costs for businesses, improve safety by using drones instead of human labor, and deliver faster, more efficient coverage while conserving water. The team received $5,000 in funding—an initial $1,000 investment from Nichols matched by four generous alumni—and is seeking $86,000 to support needed equipment, software licensing, transportation and marketing to launch and scale the business.
The competition showcased a wide range of student ideas, from a calendar-driven fitness app that builds workouts around busy schedules to a proactive gas-leak monitoring system designed to prevent residential disasters, highlighting both creativity and real-world problem solving.
Other finalists included Kaiden Keddy, whose mobile detailing service focuses on convenient, on-site care for boats and vehicles; Mackenzie Masters, who pitched a respiratory fit-testing business aimed at improving workplace safety and regulatory compliance; and Stephen Comtois, who discussed a real estate investment project. At the WooTank event, Pieczynski and Warner will pitch their venture to a panel of investors and entrepreneurs, competing for additional funding and mentorship opportunities while representing the College’s growing culture of student innovation.
The “sharks” for this year’s WooTank will be Zachary Dutton, Executive Director of Auxilium; Evan Cox, a member of Wire Group; and Michael Byrnes, CEO at MB Corporation.
(Pictured, L-R: Adam Warner and Joe Pieczynski at the Bison Pitch event.)
About Nichols College
Nichols College has earned business accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools and the largest business education network connecting learners, educators, and businesses worldwide. Founded in 1815, Nichols College transforms today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders through a dynamic, career-focused business and professional education. Nichols offers real-world learning focused on professional depth – combined with vibrant living, competitive athletics, and an unmatched alumni advantage – equipping students to exceed their own expectations. To learn more about Nichols College, visit www.nichols.edu.
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