April 28, 2021
It All Starts With an Idea
Learn more about the 10th Annual Fairfield StartUp Showcase.Intro: The StartUp Showcase Journey
For these students, it started with a dream to launch a business. Watch their journeys.
2021 Team Pitches
Voting for the Audience Favorite has ended and the winner will be announced soon.EarnSpace
EarnSpace is a Zoom plug-in and web app that allows for the integration of advertisements into conference calls in order to reach broader audiences in an increasingly virtual world.
EarnSpace: Bibek Timalsina ’22, John Cain ’22, and Rian Boutin ’22
The Point
The Point is an online fashion and lifestyle magazine that offers an inclusive and creative space pertaining to fashion, lifestyle, travel, food, style, wellness, and culture.
The team will pitch Point of View, a subscription service for college students to personalize their wall art.
The Point: Allison Isola ’21, Lauren Titone ’21, Eleanor Davis ’21, James Concannon ’21, and Kelsey O'Neill ’21
RinkLink
RinkLink automates the ice rink industry with yield management to improve financial outcomes and facilitate member communication.
RinkLink: Mariana Antaya ’23 and Charlie Brodigan ’24
Kindler
Kindler is a stress-free solution for college students to meet new people and make friends through an app that matches them with other students who have the same passions and hobbies.
Kindler: Caroline Neilson ’22, Nicholas Costanzo ’21, Rachel Jacobson ’22, Kristen Oliger ’22, Carlos Ponce ’22, and Angelica McAfee ’22
WePlay Together
WePlay Together is an app that uses a logarithm to match people who share similar interests, passions, and ideas with others to show their locations and available meeting times to enjoy, sports, hobbies, and more
WePlay Together: Christopher Vallone ’21, Vilia Baumilas ’21, and Troy Pilia ’21
Finale: Investor Panel Feedback
After private discussion and deliberation, watch the excitement as investors award pledge money to each team.
2021 Investor Panel
Joseph Bronson ’70
Joseph (Joe) Bronson is currently principal and CEO of The Bronson Group, LLC, a business advisory group focused on operational and financial consulting. In addition, he is a strategic advisor and managing director of Cowen Group, Inc., a New York City-based investment banking firm, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University. Bronson is a CPA and holds a BS in accounting from Fairfield University and an MBA from the University of Connecticut. He was inducted into the UConn Business School Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Fairfield University Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 2017. Bronson also serves as a regent at Santa Clara University and Loyola Marymount University and has served as the chair of the advisory board of the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University for the past 17 years.
Dagan Kasavana '99
Dagan Kasavana is founder and CEO of Phoenix Tower International (PTI), the fastest growing global wireless communications infrastructure provider in the world. He founded the business in 2013, and guides the strategic direction of the company, oversees capital investment across various countries and transaction types, and leads all other significant corporate initiatives. Prior to founding PTI, Kasavana was senior vice president of mergers and acquisitions for Global Tower Partners from 2006 to 2013. In 2020 he was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year Florida Award Winner. He is a CPA and holds a BS in accounting from Fairfield University.
Virginia P’an
Virginia P’an is the founder and CEO of YUMI EcoSolutions, Inc., an award-winning eco-friendly products and bio-materials technology company aimed at supporting global sustainability to create a healthier planet for future generations. P’an is a global business leader and serial entrepreneur. As CEO of TransCapital Group and China Pacific Partners, she was instrumental in securing the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games contract for SMG, the world leader in managing convention centers and arenas. She has been cited as “one of the 500 Most influential Asian Americans” by Avenue Asia Magazine and the recipient of numerous awards including “Leading Women Entrepreneur of the World,” “Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business,” and “International Women of Innovation.” She received a BS in Chemistry from the City University of New York.
StartUp Advisor
Michael Garvey ’89 P’23, ’25
Michael Garvey has more than three decades of business experience, including a career in law enforcement in New York State. He is an active angel investor and entrepreneur, involved in numerous start-ups and early stage companies, several of which have gone on to successful exits. Mr. Garvey founded License Monitor, Inc. (LMI) a SAAS provider of proactive license monitoring and risk management services, which he sold to a private equity group. LMI was voted High Tech Company of the Year and Mr. Garvey was inducted into the New York State Business Hall of Fame for extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit. He received his BA in marketing and management of information systems from Fairfield University. Mr. Garvey is beyond thrilled that his eldest daughter, Lauren, is currently in her freshman year in Fairfield’s Dolan School of Business.
2021 Team Mentors
Team EarnSpace
Richard Hyman, Adjunct Professor and Distinguished Visiting Professional, Fairfield University
Contact RichardTeam WePlay Together
Jeff Moretz, Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Fairfield University
Contact Jeff
