U-Imagine Center Celebrates Winners of 2025 BEAR Innovation Competition

The U-Imagine Center for Integrative and Entrepreneurial Studies hosted the 11th annual BEAR Innovation Competition on Sunday, April 6. The event showcases the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Ursinus students.

This year’s competition featured 18 students representing eight different majors and all four class years. It was led by U-Imagine student ambassadors Monica Herman ’27 (health sciences) and Tyler Griffith ’26 (applied economics).

Activities for the competition began in February and wrapped up in April. Students participated in information sessions, open hours, peer mentoring, workshops, and consultative appointments to prepare for the competition. They focused on things like creating the perfect pitch, making a business model canvas, and rapid prototyping.

Anthony Cerulli ’26 (finance) took home the first-place prize of $3,500. His business is ATTOLLO, a premium fashion brand focused on clean design, high-quality materials, and top-tier customer experience. The company already has preorders and retail partnerships lined up, along with great margins.

Second place and $2,500 went to Franco Mazza ’25 (economics). His business, Positivo Water, features aluminum water bottles with uplifting messages which promote mental wellness while cutting plastic waste. Positivo Water placed third in last year’s BEAR Innovation Contest. Since last spring, Mazza has turned his concept into a real LLC and now has actual sales and a growing brand presence.

Mia Bompensa ’28 (media & communications studies and theater) placed third and won $1,500 for Jauntz. It solves a simple but overlooked issue for track athletes—spike protection. The lightweight cover is portable and easy to use.

Laura Bradley ’25 (business economics) also took home $2,000 as the “Ready-Set-Go Prize” winner. Her nonprofit, NurturaCare, creates care packages for cancer patients and is inspired by a personal story. Julia Faust ’26 and David Janney ’28 (computer science) also took home a cash prize for Evolance Solutions, which uses a CRM tool built specifically for small solar companies to bring AI to the solar industry.

This year’s competition featured several Ursinus alumni and outside experts. Jen Cohen Crompton ’05, president/owner of Something Creative, Chris Biddle ’85, chief executive officer of BCG Alpha, and Rob Gilfillan ’91, co-founder and president of Cenero, judged the contest. Susan Hundley, a friend of the U-Imagine Center and senior director of patient experience at CSL, was the BEAR Competition mentor. This year’s keynote speaker was Katie Teuber ’09, director of startup engagement at Comcast.

The U-Imagine Center is grateful for the support of Will Abele ’61, who provides this engaging experience for students. The Center is also thankful for its sponsors: Cenero, Say it in Sports, Mingma, and CertaPro Painters of King of Prussia.