Oregon Tech students begin designing business concepts

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Sponsors provide over $16,000 prize incentives to strengthen university-community partnerships

Article by Ashley Van Essen, Public Information Representative, Oregon Tech.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Since it began in 2015, the Catalyze Challenge has awarded nearly $100,000 in prize money and services and continues this year with a prize pool of $16,000. Catalyze 2022 launched in November and 11 teams are currently registered to compete in the April 21 final, including two teams from Oregon Tech’s Portland-Metro campus.

The Challenge has evolved over the years from a campus competition focused on entrepreneurship in Klamath Falls to a networking opportunity that supports student innovation and strengthens university-community partnerships. The competition fosters project development, design, and communications skills while boosting public understanding of the talent pipeline available at Oregon Tech.

The recently completed Spring 2021 competition included renewable energy concepts, plant monitoring and an app for networking. Two teams went to on the statewide InventOR competition, with Electerro taking home first place and BioMass Gas placing fourth against teams from colleges and universities throughout Oregon.

The 11 teams registered are as follows:

  • Accessible Mobile Health
    Chrys Chan, 2022, Information Technology
    Le Quynh Dao Nguyen, 2022 Information Technology

  • Catalyze or Die
    Jonathan Freilinger, 2024, Renewable Energy Engineering
    Roy Noland, 2024, Renewable Energy Engineering
    Natalie Arnot, 2024, Civil and Environmental Science

  • Find New Trails
    Bradley Everest, 2023, Business - Marketing Option
    Michael Drury, 2023, Business - Management Option

  • Food Trucks on Main
    Matt Volpe, 2023, Embedded Systems
    Chris Eck, 2024, Business - Management Option
    Eren Bikmaz, 2022, Software Engineering Technology
    Niles Walter, 2023, Manufacturing Engineering Technology

  • Hemp Project
    Luke Hongel, 2025, Mechanical Engineering
    Ezra Neese, 2025, Electrical Engineering
    Joshua Moore, 2025, Renewable Energy Engineering

  • NERFS
    Graeme Wiltrout, 2026, Dual Computer & Software Engineering
    Eddie Medina, 2024, Software Engineering Technology
    Jemisha Vargas, 2025, Software Engineering Technology
    Marcus Delamarter, 2023, Mechanical Engineering
    Fletcher Stults, 2023, Mechanical Engineering
    Toby Ruston, 2025, Mechanical Engineering

  • Reddwoods Bakery
    Rebekah Redd, 2023, Business - Management Option

  • Stellarum Publishing
    Gabbi Pech, 2022, Business - Marketing Option
    Hayden Pech, 2022, Business - Marketing Option

  • Tinder for Golf
    Ethan Devore, 2023, Business - Marketing Option

  • Twin-line Energy Solutions
    Jack Zoucha, 2023, B.S. Renewable Energy Engineering and M.S. Engineering

The 2022 event is made possible through generous sponsorship and donations from AVISTA, Business Oregon, the City of Klamath Falls, Klamath County, Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA), Klamath IDEA Center for Entrepreneurship, VertueLab, Oregon Small Business Development Center, and the Wendt Family Foundation.

Competitors will have the opportunity to first present their concept at the annual SharkTech Venture Pitch Contest March 2, and are expected to compete in front of a panel of judges for the final competition April 21.

Anyone interested in helping with sponsorship, mentoring, sharing of expertise through a session with students, or in an advisory capacity, please contact Hallie Neupert, professor and department chair of Management at Oregon Tech, at hallie.neupert@oit.edu.

For more information and competition guidelines, go to www.oit.edu/catalyze.