Student Success Stories

ECENTER STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES

STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES

ECenter-Coached Start-Up ecoText Launches Equity Crowdfunding Effort

ECenter Clean Sweep at 2020 Holloway Prize Competition!

UNH Students Win $40,000 and Second Place at National eFest Competition!

COMPETITION COACHING SUCCESS

2020

Clean sweep in Holloway Prize, including 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd place winners, all three runners-up, and People's Choice Award

8 of 9 finalists in SVIC:

Most Well-Articulated Problem, Most Financially Sustainable Solution, and 3rd Place Audience Choice: Scrapp

Most Original Innovation: Mongo

Most Impact Potential and 1st Place Audience Choice: Hydrophos

Best Overall First-Year Student Submission: Roots

2nd Place Audience Choice Winner: MyGreenPlate

Finalists: Promised Protection, SymbioExchange, MatterVerse, and Eizent Innovations

2019

2 of 6 finalists in Holloway Prize, including 1^st& 3^rd place winners and People's Choice winner

6 finalists in SVIC, including two 1^stplace winners, 2^nd place & 3^rd place winner

national competitions

2^ndplace ($40,000) winners at national e-Fest competition

Semi-finalists in Draper Competition for Collegiate Women Entrepreneurs

2018

3 of 6 finalists in Holloway Prize, including 1^st& 3^rd place winners

6 finalists in SVIC, including two 1^stplace winners, 2^nd place & 3^rd place winner

national competitions

Two finalists for national e-Fest competition

2017

4 of 6 finalists in Holloway Prize, including 1^st& 2^nd place winners

4 finalists in SVIC, including two 1^stplace winners, 3^rd place winner

2016

2nd Place Winner of Holloway Prize

11 companies launched

by ECenter students since 2015

ECENTER CAREER IMPACT

Download Christin's story!

Download Arsalan's story!

Download Brandon's story!

Download Devin's story!

ECenter Student Showcase

William and Joan Grant
Memorial Entrepreneurship Prize

The William and Joan Grant Memorial Entrepreneurship Prize was established by ECenter Executive Director, Ian Grant, in memory of his parents who provided him a lifetime of unwavering support of his entrepreneurial, adventurous, and innovative pursuits and in honor of the ECenter’s 5th birthday in 2021.

The intent of the Prize is to be given to the top two graduating undergraduate or graduate students, selected by a committee, who have exemplified the spirit and actions of “in-the-trenches” innovation and entrepreneurship during their years at UNH. A $500 prize and award trophy will be given to each student.

2020-2021 Recipients

Ryan Lefebvre

Ryan is the founder and CEO of Logsmarter, a nutrition tracking software that uses machine learning to help people reach their fitness goals. Ryan carefully built a team to push the company forward and has launched a beta version of his product with just under 2,000 users. Ryan is graduating from the UNH College of Engineering and Physical Sciences with a degree in computer science.

"It was a honor to receive an award that is in memory of Ian Grant's parents and it makes me proud to be representing the ECenter as one of the first two recipients," said Ryan.

Marisa Rafal

Marisa is the founder and president of the NH Toy Library Network, a toy lending library for NH children, including those in need of adapted toys. Marisa had the idea for NHTLN as an undergrad at CHHS and has since grown it to a bonafide LLC with two locations - Dover and Boscawen. Marisa is graduating from the Carsey School of Public Policy with her Master's in public policy (MPP).

Said Marisa, "Ian Grant has been such an amazing mentor, so to get an award in his parents’ name is an honor that’s hard to describe. Ultimately, I just want to say thank you so very much for all you’ve done to support my journey as an entrepreneur and helping me grow my company, the New Hampshire Toy Library Network!"