PLEASANT HILL, Calif. — Student entrepreneurs from across the Contra Costa Community College District (4CD; Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College) recently showcased their creativity, talent, and business acumen at the districtwide 4CD Business Pitch Competition, held at Diablo Valley College’s Pleasant Hill campus.
Ten finalist teams presented their business ideas to a panel of local leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. The teams were selected to pitch from a competitive pool of 24 applicants, each demonstrating originality, clarity, and potential for real-world impact.
At the conclusion of the event, four standout student teams were awarded cash prizes:
- First Place ($1,000): WellPulse – 100% anonymous wellness survey platform
- Second Place ($500): Leftoverly – Platform for restaurants to sell surplus meals
- Third Place ($250): Scholarise – Platform for tracking scholarships, internships, coursework for university transfer
- People’s Choice (Audience Vote, $50): Garydian Angel – Voice-activated wristband providing calm family safety
Anya Gupta, the founder of the winning pitch for WellPulse said, “It’s truly an honor to win first place in this competition. I’ve been working on this project for more than two years, and to see it grow from a small idea into something making an impact on student mental health is incredible. What started here at Diablo Valley College has already reached the county level and even BART, and I really believe it can go global. This win reminds me that change can start with one person and one small idea — and I’m excited to keep building from here.”
“This competition truly highlights the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and determination of our students at DVC, and our sister colleges CCC, and LMC”, said Charlie Shi, Dean of Business, Computer Science, and Culinary Arts, and Community Education at DVC. “Their ideas reflect the potential of community college entrepreneurs to create generational wealth and shape the future of our regional economy.”
The event was made possible through sponsorships from the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) and Sunvalley Shopping Center.
Judges for the final competition included Kim Trupiano, Mayor of Clayton; Ruby Grover, business leader from Sunvalley Shopping Center; Nayab Siddiqui, COO, ZAYNA Ventures; and Dan Siegel, local entrepreneur. Entries were evaluated on writing quality, slide design, clarity of the concept, and any demonstrated traction or early validation.
Students from all three colleges were invited to submit applications earlier this month, with the finalists selected on Nov. 9. Their presentations captivated an audience of peers, faculty, staff, and community members, demonstrating the depth of entrepreneurial talent within the 4CD community.
For more information about future pitch competitions or entrepreneurship programs across 4CD, please contact: Brandy Howard, Director of Marketing [email protected], 925-969-2048
