Nichols students to represent College at WooTank pitch competition
From elevator pitches to Shark Tank style competitions, Nichols student innovators are working to turn big ideas into real opportunities.
Two of those innovators, Mackenzie Masters ’28 and Giovanni Cucco ’27, will represent Nichols College at the WooTank Intercollegiate Showdown on Tuesday, Apr. 8 from 5–8:30 p.m. at Off the Rails in Worcester, Massachusetts. Hosted by Venture Forum—a Central Massachusetts startup community and nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs through educational programs, networking and resources—WooTank gives student innovators from local colleges the opportunity to pitch their ventures to investors and compete for real-time feedback, mentorship and potential funding. Participants from Clark University, Holy Cross and Worcester Polytechnic Institute will also take the stage.
Masters and Cucco earned their spots at the city-wide competition after standing out at Nichols’ own Bison Pitch contest, held on Mar. 28. Reflecting the College’s focus on entrepreneurship and bridging theory with practice, the high-energy event featured more than 25 students pitching their business ideas in a one-to-one format to alumni and guest judges. Top ventures advanced to a final round, where students delivered a seven-minute pitch for the chance to move on to WooTank.
“The creativity and drive our students showed was truly impressive,” said Bison Pitch event organizer Tim Liptrap, Ed.D., associate professor of entrepreneurship and sport management. “This competition is one way Nichols students put experiential learning into action—with hands-on opportunities to develop, pitch and refine real business ideas in front of alumni and industry professionals. We’re excited to see Mackenzie and Giovanni carry that momentum forward as they represent Nichols at WooTank.”
At the WooTank event, Masters, a management and entrepreneurship major, will pitch her business Maintenance on the Move, a mobile auto service that brings reliable, full-service vehicle maintenance directly to homes or businesses, saving customers time and eliminating the hassle of shop visits.
Cucco, a corporate finance & investments major and president of the student entrepreneurship club, will present Closet, an AI-powered virtual try-on app that lets shoppers simulate how clothes will look and fit on their body before they buy, redefining the online fashion experience.
The host for this year’s WooTank will be David Peterson, General Manager of the Worcester Bravehearts. The “sharks” will be Kevin Anderson, a tech entrepreneur and founder of VentureWiz & VentureMeets; Evan Cox, an investor with The Wire Group; and Stephanie Ramey, VP at Rucker Investments and co-founder of Auxilium Worcester.
(Pictured, L-R: Giovanni Cucco, Professor Tim Liptrap and Mackenzie Masters at the Bison Pitch event.)
About Nichols College
Nichols College has earned business accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools and the largest business education network connecting learners, educators, and businesses worldwide. Founded in 1815, Nichols College transforms today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders through a dynamic, career-focused business and professional education. Nichols offers real-world learning focused on professional depth – combined with vibrant living, competitive athletics, and an unmatched alumni advantage – equipping students to exceed their own expectations. To learn more about Nichols College, visit www.nichols.edu.
Media Contact:
Denise Kelley
Marketing and Communications Writer/Editor
508-213-2219