Daniel Martinez, a Doña Ana Community College alumnus, has been named the winner of the Studio G Pitch 2020 competition hosted by Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University.
The competition, open to all NMSU system students with business ideas, gave students an opportunity to showcase their businesses, enhance their networking and compete for prizes. The competition was offered by Studio G, Arrowhead Center’s world-ranked student business accelerator, and the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship provided support for prizes. Due to COVID-19, this year’s competition took place virtually Nov. 20.
Martinez won $1,500 with his pitch for Omnos Sleep, an alternative mask-free therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.
“Winners were selected based on their impact on New Mexico,” said Kramer Winingham, director of Studio G. “Martinez’s invention of Omnos Sleep solves a major problem that affects people suffering from sleep apnea worldwide. We are very excited to be able to help him bring this product to market.”
All pitches must detail the business concept, the target customer and the value proposition for the business. Martinez recommends participating for any entrepreneur.
“There are many uphill battles to having a startup business, and a competition like this is not only healthy but necessary to maintain growth,” Martinez said. “This pitch competition is a great experience, not only for my business but also for me as an individual. It not only gives my business exposure, but it gives me the opportunity to work on my presenting skills. This win is just another motivator to continue progressing.”
DACC President Moníca Torres said, “We’re so proud of alumni like Daniel who share their entrepreneurial and technical talents to solve problems in our society; in this case, inventing a device to enhance and perhaps save lives.”
Matthew Martin, founder of TakeFlight, won second place and $750. TakeFlight is a single digital platform, through web access and an app, that allows users to rent aircraft, check pilot qualifications and view aircraft maintenance schedules.
“Part of being an entrepreneur is pitching. The pitch may be to convince talent to share your vision and join the team, to investors to fund that vision, or to media outlets to build a following of customers and supporters,” Martin said. “This experience was an opportunity to hone that message and improve our presentation skills The Studio G team has been there to advise and support student and alumni business ventures. Thanks to their efforts and opportunities like this, my team has been able to move our vision forward along in these troubled times.”
To learn more about how Studio G helps student businesses grow and how NMSU system students and graduates can join Studio G, visit https://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/program/studio-g/.