Marquette University’s student pitch competition, Brewed Ideas, to be held virtually April 29

April 27, 2022


Brewed Ideas Challenge LogoMILWAUKEE — Marquette University’s Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship, Social Innovation Initiative and Milwaukee-based Brady Corporation will partner for the ninth annual Brewed Ideas Challenge to be held virtually on Friday, April 29, from 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The Shark Tank-style student pitch competition award $22,000 in seed money to first and second-place winners on two tracks: social venture and traditional business. There will also be prizes for the Audience Choice and Brady Innovation awards, as well as an Excellence in Inclusive Impact category.

Registration to watch a livestream of the competition is open to the public and available online. A link will be sent to watch the program virtually closer to the event.

Ten finalists were chosen for the competition and have been mentored by leaders at Brady Corporation and participated in virtual workshops led by the 707 Hub leading up to the live pitch event. The finalists include:

  • AcadeMEa
  • Bevy Collegiate Bus Services LLC
  • CryptoLoops
  • Electi Gyms
  • Done Hiding
  • Girl on the Growth
  • The Good Vibes Club
  • Half Sun Press
  • Nubian’s Future LLC
  • Wear Your Success
  • Clickblade

The competition will be judged by Russell Shaller, President, Identification Solutions, Brady Corporation, Nicole Westenberger, Vice President, Global Ecommerce and Marketing, Brady Corporation, and Brandon Rule, president of Rule Enterprises.

The Brewed Ideas Challenge is sponsored by the Brady Foundation and programmed by the 707 Hub, which houses the Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Initiative. This is the ninth year Marquette and Brady Corporation have partnered on pitch competitions. The program has awarded more than $143,000 during that time.  Past winners include Community. Books. YOU., Liv a Little Ice Cream, The Color of English, JD BNB, Sendgineering, and Complete Shaping.

The 707 Hub is Marquette University’s innovation incubator; a place where ideas are shared, stretched, challenged and realized. It is home to the Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship and the Social Innovation Initiative.

Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete solutions that identify and protect people, products and places. Brady’s products help customers increase safety, security, productivity and performance, and include high-performance labels, signs, safety devices, printing systems and software. Founded in 1914, the company has a diverse customer base in electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, medical, aerospace and a variety of other industries.


About Kevin Conway

Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu