main content Blending the Liberal Arts With Entrepreneurial Spirit

Lewis & Clark buzzed with entrepreneurial energy during Winterim, the annual entrepreneurial workshop and pitch competition hosted by the Bates Center for Entrepreneurship and Leadership. A total of 27 students ended their holiday break early to head to campus for a week of lectures, workshops, and collaborative activities, which provided them with an in-depth look at the process of starting a business or other entrepreneurial venture.

“Every year, Winterim students impress and inspire me,” says Catarina Hunter, associate director of the Bates Center. “Many start with little to no knowledge of entrepreneurship and leave not only with valuable skills and a strong network but also the confidence needed to tackle big challenges.”

Winterim kicked off with a Sunday night welcome dinner and remarks from Tauna Dean, founder of the recruiting firm Kind World Collective. Participants then dove into an intensive five days of work. Students learned from professionals in design thinking, start-up financing, branding, sales, AI use, and more. They were mentored along the way by 75 local business leaders and entrepreneurs.

In addition to Winterim’s many learning and networking opportunities, participants worked in groups to develop ideas for detailed business pitches. At the end of the week, the groups made their pitches, going head-to-head for $8,000 in cash prizes and a $5,000 legal start-up package from law firm Perkins Coie. Winterim audience members also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite pitch, worth $1,500 in prize money. Also at stake was an invitation to InventOR’s boot camp event in May 2025, where participants can go on to compete for $30,000 in prizes.

Tony Abena BS ’86, operating partner at Lightview Capital, donated $8,000 for the cash prizes. Judges of the final pitch competition included Juan Barraza, executive director of Latino Founders; Ann McQuesten JD ’11, corporate partner at Perkins Coie; Mohan Nair, CEO of Emerge USA; Malia Spencer, reporter at the Portland Business Journal; and Christine Walter BA ’03, owner and head cider maker at Bauman’s Cider.

Of the nine teams competing, four teams walked away with prizes. However, each team impressed the judges and audience members with their clear, thorough, and thoughtful pitch presentations, all of which were developed over the span of just a few days. As Associate Director Hunter says, “Every student leaves a winner!”

Pitch Competition Winners

Photos by Nina Johnson

First Place ($3,000 cash prize and $5,000 legal start-up package from Perkins Coie) and InventOR Boot Camp Invitation ($2,000 for prototyping and a chance to compete statewide for $30,000)

Sunshine Windows—Victor Cho BA ’26, Melanie Gitiha BA ’27, and Alvina Sargsyan BA ’25

What if you could wake up to sunlight every day—even if the morning skies are dark in January? Waking up in darkness affects energy levels, mood, and overall well-being. Sunshine Windows is a full-spectrum light strip that installs around windows, syncing with a companion app to gradually brighten with your alarm, mimicking natural sunlight. The app also allows users to customize brightness, intensity, and color hue for a personalized wake-up experience.

Second Place ($2,000 cash prize)

Seal Splash—Feya Dawkins BA ’25, Jdeiya Abdahlahe Mohamed Lamin BA ’27, and Clash Orsborn BA ’26

Everyone at some point has needed to deal with pooping in a public restroom. Seal Splash takes away the splash, smell, spray, and sound when trying to take a private poop. The team aims “to fight the splash” and to bring convenience and comfort to customers while maintaining sustainable practices.

Best Comprehension of the Problem ($1,500 cash prize)

Scroll Guard—Blaise Harrison BA ’25, Alex Hutchinson BA ’28, and Iman Tolola BA ’25

ScrollGuard is a lifestyle app that combines intelligent distraction-blocking technology with customizable controls, allowing users to tailor their digital environments to their needs. The team believes users need to break free from the grip of addictive design and restore agency over their online experiences.

Audience Choice ($1,500 cash prize)

Inkspotting—Rita Alkhateeb BA ’27, Julian Colvin BA ’25, and Rebeka Lazova BA ’24

Ink Spotter is a digital hub that connects tattoo artists and clients through an efficient, user-friendly system that streamlines the booking process and reduces the reliance on social media.

Bates Center for Entrepreneurship and Leadership