Program

Final presentations: 4:30-7:30 p.m. on April 16, 2026
More than $75,000 in startup funding and business services

Overview

The Henry A. Panasci Jr. Technology Entrepreneurship Competition was created by the UB School of Management and the UB Office of Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships. Funded with a $1 million endowment from the late Henry A. Panasci Jr., the program brings UB students from science, technology, business and other disciplines together to maximize their potential to create viable businesses in Western New York.

The competition is hosted by UB’s Startup and Innovation Collaboratory powered by Blackstone LaunchPad.

Agenda Judges Panel Finalists Special Thanks Sponsors

This competition is possible thanks to the late Henry A. Panasci Jr. and the many individuals who graciously provide their time and expertise.

Emcees

Mercedes Wilson
Mercedes Wilson Enterprises LLC

Thomas Murdock
UB School of Management

Entertainment

Panel Discussion

Bobbie Armstrong
Right to Start

Lyon Lascu, BS ’20
Dimples Pancakes

Ryan Young, MD ’20, MBA ’21
Opollo Technologies

Mariam Sadawi, BS ’23, MBA ’25
NIA Juice

Adam Utley, PhD ’19
Immunaeon, Osseopure

Luminary Awardees

Mary Borgognoni
West Herr

Mike Canzoneri, BS ’09
Radical Ventures

Kristen Cronyn
Meet and Eat Charcuterie

Mike Gluck
Gluckworks

Dan Greco
Most Alive Inc., Meet and Eat Charcuterie

Celine Krzan, MBA ’17
University at Buffalo School of Management

Dori Marshall, BA ’92, MD ’97
John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital

Francesca Mesiah, MS ’87
Kaleida Health

Tom Murdock
University at Buffalo School of Management

Raghavan Nagaraja, BA ’05
Serotte Law

Whitney Singleton, BA ’18
Keep Up Radio LLC

Kevin Siskar, BA ’12
Finta

Mentors

Bobbie Armstrong, BS ’12
Clear Sky LTD.

Rebecca Brady, EE ’18
Top Seedz

Brandon Burris
RHM Innovations Inc.

Joel Colombo, CEL ’10
ThreeSixty

Merry Constantino, CEL ’08
ProductLogic

Brooks Cressman, BS ’87
FIRST

Shannon Johnson
M&T Bank

Jack McGowan, MBA ’88
Insyte Consulting

Olga Petrova
Innovation Initiatives

Anthony Rebmann
VCNA United Materials

Adam Utley, PhD ’19
Immunaeon, Osseopure

Diane Ward, MA ’04
WNY Invention Convention

Lauren Washington, CEL ’15
UB Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships

Reactors

Michael Blumenson, BA ’88, MBA ’88, CEL ’08 
Digital Surveillance Solutions

Flossie Hall
Flossie Hall Consulting

Christian Gaddis
43North

Round 1 and Round 2 Judges

Semifinal Judges

Nita Bhatia
Startup Ventures 

Nicole Camarre
43North

Mike Canzoneri, BS ’09
Radial Ventures

Sean Lewis, CEL ’10
SLC Advisory Group

Zachary Mizener, BS ’16, MS ’18
Launch NY

Final Judges