The University of Dayton Flyer Pitch competition named its winners — “life-changing” business and new venture ideas that aim to bring clean drinking water to people around the globe, improve the experience of breastfeeding mothers, and support children’s learning and emotional wellness.

On the startup track, Lunnie, a redesigned nursing bra created by Sarah Kallile, took the largest prize money with $50,000 from Flyer Pitch and Ohio’s Entrepreneurial Services Provider program. Lunnie is up to six times more absorbent than other bras on the market, and was created to offer women more comfort and style.

AIMM, a company developing a water filter powered by gravity that kills bacteria and viruses to produce clean water, also won and was funded with $35,000. AIMM, founded by former UDRI researcher Luis Estevez, says the work is important because the World Health Organization reports that drinking water for more than 2 billion people worldwide is contaminated with feces.

On the Greater West Dayton Incubator social venture track, Fail Me Not Tutoring, a company founded by Michel’le Curington that offers interactive sessions to help students in kindergarten through eighth grade in reading and math, won the community choice award and $10,000. More than 1,400 people voted in the contest.

Unemotional, a culturally responsive social emotional learning service for students grades seven through 12 at urban schools, also won a top prize of $10,000. The program, created by Jordyn Calhoun based on her experience with students amid COVID-19, offers curriculum and services including after school programming, professional development for educators and more.

The companies also won in-kind support. Throughout the competition they worked with industry-specific mentors to develop their ideas with access to a coworking membership at The Hub Powered by PNC at the Dayton Arcade and the Greater West Dayton Incubator. 

“We had an incredible group of businesses this year with life-changing ideas to bring forward,” said Vince Lewis, UD’s associate vice president of entrepreneurial initiatives. “We want this competition not only to help businesses launch and grow, but to be a catalyst for social change with money and mentorship for nonprofits, social enterprises and community initiatives in Greater West Dayton. We know these entrepreneurs will add to Flyer Pitch’s long track record of success with 74 businesses launched and more than $24 million of capital raised.

Flyer Pitch is one of the largest new-venture contests at the collegiate level, with more than $150,000 in cash prizes and $50,000 in in-kind prizes. It is operated by the University of Dayton's L. William Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and the Greater West Dayton Incubator in partnership with PNC Bank, the Entrepreneurs’ Center and Bandila Studios. 

More information about Flyer Pitch and a full list of winners is available online.