The Innovation Academy, in collaboration with UNM Rainforest Innovations, hosted the Fall 2025 Rainforest Pitch Competition on the evening of November 5 at Bow and Arrow Brewing Co. The competition draws entrepreneurial students to pitch their innovative business ideas, competing for and winning cash prizes to bring their ventures to life.
This semester’s winners included:
Bank of Albuquerque Audience Choice Winner:
Cecilia Quinto – NanoFit
Judges’ Choice Winners:
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
A special thank you to this year’s generous sponsors include the Bank of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County and Bow & Arrow for the space.
Visit the Innovation Academy’s website to learn more about their programs: https://business.unm.edu/innovation-academy/programs.html
