Six Finalists Advance in 2025 Holloway Prize Competition
After an intense day of pitching, six student-led teams are one step closer to launching their business dreams—and claiming a $15,000 grand prize.
The Bud Albin Challenge—the semifinal round of the 2025 Paul J. Holloway Prize Innovation to Market Competition— brought 20 teams to Paul College to compete in front of a panel of industry judges. Each team had 10 minutes to present their venture, followed by a 15-minute Q&A that tested their market knowledge, strategy, and poise under pressure.
Now, just six teams remain.
Congratulations to the finalists:
- Granite State Systems: Integrates machine learning into HVAC units to optimize energy consumption. (Brett Schultz, UNH, Paul College; Shea Garland, UNH, Paul College; Rowan Baptista, UNH, CEPS)
- Thrival: A deep tissue recovery tool designed to provide relief for hard-to-target muscles. (Dominic Rainville, UNH, Paul College)
- Aerial Perspectives, LLC: A drone services business operating out of Stratham, NH. (Ryan Guerette, UNH, COLA)
- Obscura AI: A privacy software designed to deceive online tracking and fingerprinting systems. (Shaun Devan, UNH, CEPS; Xander Cogan)
- Quick Query AI: Provides AI-powered assistants for local government websites. (Arthur Murphy, UNH, Paul College)
- Nuelife: 100% natural skin serums crafted with sustainability in mind. (Aiden Bondaz, UNH, CEPS)
These teams will now compete in the finals on Wednesday, May 6 in PAUL G75, presenting once more for their shot at the top prizes:
- 1st Place: $15,000
- 2nd Place: $10,000
- 3rd Place: $5,000
- Audience Choice Award: $2,000
All finalists receive a minimum of $1,000, while the remaining 14 semifinal teams will each receive a prize ranging from $300 to $600.
The Holloway Competition is one of the signature entrepreneurial events at UNH, encouraging students to transform ideas into impactful ventures. We hope to see you at the final showdown as we celebrate innovation, creativity, and the power of a great pitch.
