Georgetown Entrepreneurship, an affiliate of the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business that seeks to foster experiential learning and training, awarded $150,000 across eight teams at Bark Tank, their annual startup pitch competition dedicated to unique social impact ventures held Jan. 22.
Eight Georgetown teams of students and recent graduates chosen from several dozen nominations pitched their ventures tackling social challenges to a panel of judges consisting of faculty, staff and entrepreneurs. Each team had five minutes to pitch their venture, followed by a question and answer session before judges evaluated the projects based on innovation, social impact, feasibility and alignment with Georgetown’s Jesuit values.
First-place winner Andres Brillembourg (SFS ’17, GRD ’24) received $30,000 for his startup Hilda, which recruits assistants for home care providers using artificial intelligence (AI). Brillembourg also received an additional $5,000 People’s Choice Award, awarded to the audience’s favorite company.
Hamilton Swartword (CAS ’27), who attended Bark Tank, said Brillembourg’s passion and authenticity carried his company to victory.
“Hilda won because the personal relation and the dedication that guy has was so real and transparent, and he was able to prove to others that it was a worthy cause,” Swartwood told The Hoya. “I’m sure he’ll use that money to go and do great things.”
Two teams tied for second place, earning $25,000 each: Hanh Linh Ho’s (GRD ’24) Gateway, which creates micro-learning modules for companies to streamline onboarding; and Provisional Surgeon, which Joyce Wang (MED ’20, GRD ’24) developed to incorporate visually-interactive technology into orthopedic surgery.
Kevin Boodram (LAW ’27) and Gulmohar Ahluwalia (GRD ’24) each received $20,000 for third place. Boodram’s Serenity Robotic Lawn Care leverages AI and robotic lawn mowers to reduce pollution in the landscaping industry while enhancing service quality. Ahluwalia’s Nyxara develops optical communication systems for affordable, high-speed satellite data transfer.
Hydro-Con, co-founded by Shane Connolly (GRD ’26) and Con Aldridge (GRD ’26) to modernize bulk water sales for municipalities, and OCUCLIPS LLC, which Mohil Gupta (GRD ’26) developed to reduce discomfort due to wearing headgear with glasses, won $10,000 each in fourth place. Vasco de Castelbajac (SFS ’25) and Ryan Abdallah (MSB ’25) received $5,000 for Clarifa, an AI-powered tool that streamlines compliance processes in commodity trading.
Jeff Reid, director of Georgetown Entrepreneurship, who organizes Bark Tank, said the competition promotes using business for social good, in line with Georgetown’s values.
“As long as students are learning about entrepreneurship and are able to pursue their dreams, that is what we are looking for,” Reid told The Hoya. “One of the things we do look at is how the entrepreneurs are trying to incorporate Jesuit values into their businesses. It’s not just about ‘How do I make a lot of money?’, it’s, ‘How do I use the power of entrepreneurship to make the world better?’”
Swartwood, who is currently taking “Entrepreneurship for Social Good,” said Bark Tank tangibly demonstrated how companies can dedicate themselves to solving important issues.
“You hear a lot of, ‘Look at these people, look at these changemakers,’ but you don’t really see it that much,” Swartwood said. “Bark Tank was a real-life example of people doing that. It’s not just talking, it’s showing.”
Ted Leonsis (CAS ’77), a philanthropist and entrepreneur who hosted the event and has funded the prize since 2016, said he was impressed by the student ventures, which represent the importance of innovation for the university and the country.
“What everyone built here is really remarkable,” Leonsis said during the event. “It’s the social responsibility of our universities to drive our entrepreneurial spirit because at the end of the day, we’re an entrepreneurial nation.”
Reid said Bark Tank is a core part of Georgetown’s support of entrepreneurs, funding 66 ventures over its nine years that have raised over $400 million and created more than 1,000 jobs.
“This competition isn’t just about funding,” Reid said. “It’s about empowering students to see the possibilities of entrepreneurship and how they can drive meaningful change in the world.”
