Walla Walla University's Fine Arts Center auditorium welcomed more than 300 students, faculty, and staff for this year’s U-Pitch finals. The event was hosted by the university’s School of Business with participation of the Business Club and support from the Associated Students of Walla Walla University.
“I enjoy seeing how an idea that may start small grows into something real through coaching, preparation, and hard work,” said George Perez, associate professor of management and marketing and U-Pitch lead. “The most rewarding moments are the ‘eureka’ moments, when students suddenly realize their idea has potential and their confidence begins to grow.”
After leading U-Pitch for the past two years, Perez wanted to make this year's competition even better. The goal was to boost student engagement, support entrepreneurial learning, and foster deeper connections between WWU and the broader community. With help from his TA Nicolás Echeverría, junior business administration major and previous U-Pitch winner, he succeeded—hosting one of the most heavily attended U-Pitch in years.
Even the judges noted the strong audience presence and overall engagement throughout the evening that helped create an exciting and supportive environment for the student entrepreneurs. “It was inspiring to watch students challenge themselves and present with so much professionalism and passion,” said Echeverría.
The competition began with 12 teams and five made the finals. Caleb Osorio, sophomore cybersecurity major, and Gabriel Monteiro-Gomes, senior music production major, teamed up as Vocal Vault to present The Gabe Chain—a one-click professional vocal mixing preset that maintains the integrity of the singer’s original sound—and took home first place.
“We chose to compete because we wanted to introduce an idea to make an impact,” said Osorio. Both students really enjoyed the whole process of this competition and now plan on utilizing their competition winnings and experience to publicly launch The Gabe Chain this August.
Samuel Moudy, a mechanical engineering student, was another strong contestant. His product, CTPad, was an electronic drum pad built for every drummer, every need, every space. Not only did he take second place but also the Audience Choice Award and the Mission Driven Award, for his clear commitment to fellow drummers over profits.
In third place was Cieo, an app for tracking music listening and motivation. The runners-up were Paw Easy, an ergonomic tool for pet groomers suffering from joint pain, and Twins Bakery, a business focused on creating healthier desserts that don’t taste “healthy.”
This year’s panelists included: Kol Medina, President and CEO of the Blue Mountain Community; Elizabeth Hernandez, sales associate for Mercedes-Benz of Bellevue, WWU alumna, and past U-Pitch winner; and Paul Bowen, certified business advisor with the Washington State Small Business Development Center.
Perez describes U-Pitch as a bridge between academic theory and practical application, whose educational value “extends well beyond the competition itself, fostering skills that are essential for academic achievement and long-term professional development.”
From previous experience, Echeverría also encourages students to compete because U-Pitch “gives students the opportunity to turn curiosity into confidence, and I think that is one of the most valuable parts of the experience.”
To learn more about the School of Business and its other club opportunities and annual events, visit wallawalla.edu/business.
Posted June 22, 2026.
