Dr. Mark Meehan, an associate business professor at Rivier University, will be facilitating this year's Pitch Contest on April 27. Courtesy photo/Rivier University

NASHUA – For the seventh year, students at Rivier University will pitch their startup business ideas to a panel of seasoned professionals during the Pitch Contest on April 27.

Dr. Mark Meehan, an associate business professor, said the competition was born out of an undergraduate course on entrepreneurship and innovation.

After three weeks of learning the basics of entrepreneurship, Meehan’s students are put into teams and tasked with creating a financially viable company focused on maximizing its community contribution. During the Pitch Contest, each team will have five minutes to explain their startup idea to the panel.

“It’s so much fun, you never know what’s going to happen,” said Meehan.

He said one team is creating a career planning software company using artificial intelligence. Another team is creating a mental health nonprofit organization for veterans that incorporates emotional support dogs.

“We’ve seen so many students launch into entrepreneurship,” said Meehan. “Business is inherently a community endeavor. I am amazed with what students come up with, they really have to go out and engage.”

This year’s judges include Inderveer Dosanhj, founder and CEO of No Dupes Clothing, Kedar Gupta, retired founder and CEO of GT Solar, Tyler McGrady, co-founder and COO of Adaptive Industries Engineering, Attorney Kristen Mendoza, founder and CEO of Abridge Law, Leah Palermo, director of college recruiting at Northwestern Mutual and Quinn Worden, founder and CEO of PT United.

The winner will receive a $10,000 prize package to cover legal, startup and financial consulting expenses.