Ten teams competing for $20,000 in cash prizes for the 9th annual Biola Startup Competition presented their pitches to judges on April 19. Intent — a camp management platform for Christian camps to bring order and efficiency for organizers — took the first place prize of $10,000 in this year’s Biola Startup Competition. Led by computer science major Ellieana Ross, her passion for camp ministry sparked the idea for Intent.

“I love camp ministry. I’ve seen hundreds of lives changed for eternity through working at camp,” said Ross. “I see Intent as an amazing opportunity to combine my love of computer science with my love of camp ministry.”

She will also receive legal mentorship from Rose Bowlus Law as part of the prize. Passionate about camp ministry, Ross wanted to create a platform that will help streamline camp operations in an efficient manner.

The Startup Competition, sponsored by Crowell School of Business and Biola’s Office of Innovation, is an initiative that gives current undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as recent alumni, the opportunity to turn their ideas into a successful startup business or nonprofit.

Never Empty, led by MBA student Erika Haugen, took second place receiving $6,000 to launch her business. Never Empty is an innovative food scanner for the fridge and an app to help with solving food waste and promote healthy eating.

Eveive, a community platform for women to share, gain advice, and find a sense of sisterhood for all things women’s health, led by co-founders business administration major Amy Payne and public health major Sarah Kim, took third place earning a prize of $4,000.

Startup competition participants were aided by experienced mentors, including executives and business leaders, in preparation for the competition. This year there were 25 mentors who volunteered their time to aid participants in preparing their pitches and initiatives.

“What is unique at Biola is a community of redemptive innovators, entrepreneurs and investors with the deep roots of Christ-filled business strategies and biblically-sound theology,” said Silvia Mah, director of Biola’s Office of Innovation. “This spark of entrepreneurship — with values-aligned capital partners, sustainable markets and positive industry trends — can catapult startups toward growth.”

The judges this year included: Allison Long Pettine, founder & partner of Crescent Ridge Partners and co-founder and partner of Ad Astra Ventures; Jack Chao, partnerships executive, Ardius, acquired by Gusto; Andrew Feng, director of research and strategic partnerships, Faith Driven Investor & Indigitous; Charity McCloud, city director for Resource Global Los Angeles & founder of ABC Connect Logistics; and Fadi Hindi, founder of Operate co. & Angel Investor.

Learn more about Biola’s Office of Innovation.

Learn more about Biola’s minor in entrepreneurship.


Written by Grace Morales, University Communications intern. For more information, contact Media Relations at media.relations@biola.edu.