The 2026 Zinnstarter Pitch Competition Contestants pose together for a group picture.
On April 1st, the Morris L. Hayhurst LaunchLab held its 8th annual Zinnstarter Pitch Competition sponsored by Ray Zinn. This year’s competition was split into two separate categories: Let me Launch and Blast off. Let me Launch consisted of business ideas in their early stages while Blast Off consisted of entrepreneurs in later stages of development.
The impressive line-up of judges consisted of: Erica Steratore, Vice President, WVU Innovation Corporation & WVUHS Corporate Real Estate; David Satterfield, Interim Associate Vice President of Research and Director of Asset Development at WVU; and Melanie Thompson, Mortgage Loan Officer/Vice President with Huntington Bank.
Followed by our contestants for the Let me Launch Category: Carl Perry, Clef; Kesston Wanchick, LS Starter Mount Turnover Tool; Ruby Jackson, A&T Outlet; Leo Peele and Evan Lupinsky, Iron Ridge Cyber ; and Ethan Weaver, Weaver Systems.
Next the Blast Off Category: Tyler Staub, ROC Shop; Logan Moiles and McKenna Valasek, Simply Smoothies; Kassidy Blatt, GreenMatter; and Logan Cuvo, Best Dam Tape.
Leo Peele and Evan Lupinsky with Iron Ridge Cyber pose together after winning.
Winners and award amounts:
PANEL-DESIGNATED AWARDS - Let me Launch
Leo Peele and Evan Lupinsky, Iron Ridge Cyber - $5,500
Ethan Weaver, Weaver Systems - $2,500
Carl Perry, Clef - $2,000
POPULAR VOTE
Ethan Weaver, Weaver Systems - $250
Logan Cuvo smiling while pitching.
PANEL-DESIGNATED AWARDS - Blast Off
Logan Cuvo, Best Dam Tape - $5,000
Tyler Staub, ROC Shop - $3,000
Logan Moiles and McKenna Valasek, Simply Smoothies - $2,000
POPULAR VOTE
Kassidy Blatt, GreenMatter - $250
A special thank you to the emcees of the night Riley Sain and Brighton Eichhorn. Riley Sain is a junior Finance major with a data analytics minor from Pittsburgh, PA. Who currently serves as the Morris L Hayhurst LaunchLab’s outreach coordinator, where she works with faculty and student organizations to help expand awareness of the LaunchLab across campus. Brighton Eichhorn is an Environmental Soil and Water Sciences major from Waterford, OH. Who currently serves as the LaunchLab’s multimedia designer. He helps design promotional materials and media for the LaunchLab.
Thank you to Ray Zinn for sponsoring the 2026 Zinnstarter Pitch Competition.