Early-stage entrepreneurs step up in Memorial Union, pitch products developed with UND programs’ support
By Haylee Bjork
The entrepreneurial spirit took center stage on April 29 at LAUNCH: Demo Day, UND’s first multi-program startup pitch event, held at the Memorial Union’s Social Stairs. The event was powered by the Runway Accelerator and hosted by the UND Center for Innovation.
LAUNCH brought together nine emerging founders from three innovative programs — Runway, I-Corps and SBIR/STTR, or Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer — to present their ventures to a crowd of students, faculty, industry mentors and potential investors.
The event marked a first-of-its-kind collaboration, connecting UND talent across academic disciplines with the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, organizers say. With entrepreneurs from fields ranging from engineering to biomedicine to aerospace, the lineup highlighted the university’s growing role as a launchpad for diverse, high-impact ventures.
Pressure wound mattresses, electric motorcycles and more
Each founder delivered a fast-paced pitch, sharing the breakthroughs behind their startups:
- Dan Newman, doctoral student in Biomedical Engineering, introduced SHARP Biomedical, a minimally invasive solution for back pain.
- Carson Running, an assistant professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, presented RH Technologies, offering high-precision fluid imaging using NASA-based tech.
- Kristi Jean highlighted ThinAir Surfaces, a UND partner company focused on hospital-grade air mattresses that help prevent patient injury.
- Mercedes Terry, a Biomedical Engineering doctoral student, presented MindMend Biotech, developing wearables for real-time Parkinson’s monitoring.
- Damien Parrello, UND’s Genomics core manager, shared GenomEX, a platform leveraging big data that reduces the time and cost of DNA sequencing for faster breakthroughs in personalized medicine.
- Anakin Bosek, an Engineering student, presented Bosek Industries, a snowmobile performance consultancy for racing teams.
- Spencer Milanowski, a Rotorcraft Aviation student, introduced PRC Electric, building compact electric motorcycles for sustainable transport.
- Heather McNevin, an Aerospace doctoral student, showcased Aeroboox, an affordable and interactive training material designed to enhance pilot education and improve safety outcomes in flight training.
- Matt Malusky, a Mechanical Engineering student, shared his venture, MMLongboards, custom-designed boards combining engineering and artistry.
Following the pitches, attendees engaged directly with the founders through Q&A and product demonstrations, gaining hands-on experience with technologies in development.
Hooked on innovation
While networking and refreshments helped foster community connections, the true focus of the night was celebrating student and faculty founders as innovators and changemakers. LAUNCH wasn’t just about showcasing ventures, organizers said; it was about inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs who will shape North Dakota’s future. As one attendee put it:
“There was great energy, fantastic idea generation and meaningful networking among participants and the crowd. I loved how it was such a public and exciting way to spread the innovation bug to UND students, staff, and faculty alike.”
LAUNCH exemplified how UND’s programs are converging to support innovation and drive collaboration across departments and industries, organizers said. By combining funding, mentorship, and training from initiatives like Runway, I-Corps, and SBIR/STTR, UND is striving to create fertile ground for discovery.
To see the innovation in action, watch the full event livestream.
To learn more about the Runway Accelerator, NSF I-Corps, and/or SBIR/STTR Funding, reach out to the UND Center for Innovation at info@innovators.net
