innovationAcademy

04/24/2026

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2026 Tech Navigator Challenge!

This year’s competitors developed commercialization plans for Sandia National Laboratories technologies through the tech transfer process, turning research innovations into market-ready business concepts. Teams explored ideas ranging from healthcare cybersecurity that protects hospital systems and medical devices, to advanced cooling solutions for AI computing, sustainable road materials, Alzheimer’s drug delivery systems and new protein sources for nutrition and agriculture. Their work showcased sharp business strategy, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking.

1st Place: Team 12 – Abinav Punnakuzhy and Ankit Devparapalli
2nd Place: Team 1 – Solomon Gbara and Janel Ahle
For the first time in Tech Navigator Challenge history, the competition ended in a tie for third place.
3rd Place: Team 3 – David Traub and Whitney Abbott
3rd Place: Team 6 – Christopher Andrick and Beliza Sanchez
Quick Pitch: Team 7 – Cory Henn, Rebecca Merchant and Ethan Garcia

Thank you to all of this year’s competitors for your hard work, preparation and dedication throughout the challenge:

Team 2 – Mohammed Hadri and Ching Lu
Team 4 – Cecilia Quinto, Himanshi Himanshi and Andres Sanchez
Team 8 – Luis Chavez and Carey Beam
Team 10 – Muhamed Abdelhack, Nada Abdelhack and Yusef Abdelhack

A sincere thank you to this year’s judges for sharing their time and expertise: Luis Ortiz, Stephanie Tofighi, Beth McDade, Ron Dimon, Katie Rice and Tony Wallace, as well as our mentors: Kalin Baca, Brian Adams, Kyle Guin, Victor Johnson, Ward Hendon, and Alex Greenberg.

Way to go, Lobos! Your innovation and drive made this year’s challenge one to remember.

04/17/2026

Innovation was on full display at the Spring 2026 Rainforest Pitch Competition. As we celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the event and 20 competitions in total, our student entrepreneurs brought forward creative solutions, fresh perspectives and the confidence to pitch ideas with real-world potential. From health care and wellness to AI, civic engagement, sustainability and consumer technology, the breadth of ideas presented showcased just how boldly our students are thinking about the future.

Thank you to our judges, Beverly Bendickson, Joe Maez, Mike Bickel, Sonya Priestley and Steve Griego, along with everyone who came out to cheer on these talented innovators. Special thanks to our generous sponsors, Bank of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, Judy Love and Suzann Owings, for helping make this event possible, and to Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. for hosting us.

This semester’s winners:

Audience Choice: Sherwin Thiyagarajan, Kelly Welch & Akansha Nanda - Phyllo-Gel

Judges’ Choice:
• Sandra Gabriella Casaus - Los G's
• Ricardo Garcia & Loryn Montoya - QueueSkin

Finalists:
Nina Bao - Select Speak
Malia Dumlao - SideChat
Hirofumi Mitsui - TrimSpend
Aidan Kuni - WisdomBrew
Aayusha Timalsina - AfterCare
Preston Minor - Right Wing, Left Wing
Andres Sanchez, Sina Fakhraei & Sneha Gupta - Terra BIM OS

Congratulations to all of our finalists for an incredible evening of innovation. We can’t wait to see what comes next.

04/15/2026

Join us live on YouTube for the Spring 2026 Rainforest Pitch Competition Live Finals on Wednesday, April 15 at 5:30 p.m. MT. We will also be streaming live on Instagram at .

Watch as ten student finalists pitch their ideas live from Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. and compete in an exciting evening of innovation, entrepreneurship, and student creativity.

Watch the Spring 2026 Rainforest Pitch Competition Live Finals as ten student finalists pitch their ideas live from Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. on Wednesday, Apr...

03/10/2026

Thinking about grad school? Come see what Anderson has to offer.

Join us for the Anderson Graduate Programs Open House and connect with admissions staff, learn about our graduate programs, and get your questions answered about the application process.

Wednesday, March 11
5:30 - 7 p.m.
Jackson Student Center

Plus, attendees receive an application fee waiver.

RSVP today!
https://go-unm.my.salesforce-sites.com/events #/esr?eid=a12TO00000DYFd3YAH

03/06/2026

Students from Japan joined the Anderson School of Management this February for the 2026 Entrepreneurship Workshop Week, welcoming 12 students from Yamanashi Gakuin University (YGU) and Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU), along with faculty from both institutions for an immersive program focused on U.S. entrepreneurship, innovation, and entrepreneurial pitch strategy.

Throughout the week, students participated in workshops and lectures led by Associate Dean Reilly White and Manuel Montoya, associate professor of Global Political Economy and Cultural Economics in UNM’s Department of Economics. Innovation Academy alumni Kyle Guin of VastVision and Munji Kahalah of Monaco also joined the program as a guest speakers, sharing insights from their entrepreneurial journey.

Beyond the classroom, students experienced New Mexico culture with a celebration at Sadie’s featuring mariachi music, and visits to local landmarks including Old Town and the Sandia Peak Tramway.

The program concluded with a business pitch competition where students presented ideas developed during the week!

The workshop reflects Anderson’s growing international partnerships, including a new academic agreement with Osaka Metropolitan University that expands opportunities for global collaboration and student exchange.

Read the full stories:
Entrepreneurship Workshop Week
https://business.unm.edu/news/highlights/2026/anderson-innovation-academy-hosts-2026-entrepreneurship-workshop-week.html

New partnership with Osaka Metropolitan University:
https://business.unm.edu/news/highlights/2026/anderson-school-announces-partnership-with-osaka-metropolitan-university.html

11/10/2025

What an amazing night celebrating innovation at the Fall 2025 Rainforest Pitch Competition! The creativity, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit of our students continue to inspire us every semester.

A big thank you to our judges, everyone who came out to support these talented innovators, and our generous sponsors - Bank of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County - for helping make this event possible. Special thanks to Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. for hosting us.

This semester’s winners:
Audience Choice: Cecilia Quinto - NanoFit
Judges’ Choice:
• Shaya Golafshani - AirBloom
• Max Lambert & Dmitri Azih - SquareScan
Finalists:
Solomon Gbara - TalentSync
Gabbi FitzGerald, Hannah Vincent & McKenna Richards - Secure Jewels
Joshua Hans - Coffee & Thrift
Mohammed Radha Al Khazraji & Hao Nguyen - NaC Energy
Beliza Sanchez - KindQuest
Shaylene Sanchez - Recycling Aura
Kosuke Tezuka - Start-Up Bridge

Thank you again to our community for your continued support. We look forward to seeing what these students do next!

10/30/2025

Join us for the Fall 2025 Rainforest Pitch Competition Live Finals! Come out to Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. on Wednesday, November 5 for an evening of innovation and inspiration. The program begins at 5:30 p.m., so arrive early to grab a drink, find your seat, and get ready to cheer on ten student finalists as they pitch their big ideas live on stage. You’ll even get to vote for your favorite! Let’s celebrate creativity, community, and the next generation of entrepreneurs - see you there!

10/16/2025

Lobos, it’s time to pitch!

The Rainforest Pitch Competition is back, and you could win up to $2,000!
Get inspired by past participants in our spring recap, then take your shot this fall.

Apply by Oct. 21 at innovations.unm.edu/epc
Finals: Nov. 5 | 5:30 p.m. | Bow & Arrow Brewing Co.

10/15/2025

Lobos, it’s time to pitch!

The Rainforest Pitch Competition is back, and you could win up to $2,000!
Get inspired by past participants in our spring recap, then take your shot this fall.

Apply by Oct. 21 at innovations.unm.edu/epc
Finals: Nov. 5 | 5:30 p.m. | Bow & Arrow Brewing Co.

10/14/2025

The Innovation Academy (iA) has empowered more than 21,000 Lobos from over 90 majors to think like entrepreneurs, launch ventures, and strengthen New Mexico’s innovation ecosystem.

As iA celebrates its 10th anniversary, Director Robert DelCampo reflects on a decade of creativity and what’s next for the academy’s mission to turn ideas into impact.

Read more: https://news.unm.edu/news/unm-innovation-academy-celebrates-10-years-of-creativity-and-entrepreneurship