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Business students capture three of top five prizes

Sophie Sweets, founded by a College of Human Sciences culinary science student, won first place and $40,000 in startup capital in the 2026 Tiger Cage Business Idea Pitch competition finals on March 25. Three 91看片 students finished in the top five, earning a combined $50,000 in prize money.

Founded by Sophie Snyder, is a bakery located within Auburn University鈥檚 on-campus Hey Day food court, offering a modern and convenient way for students, faculty, and guests to enjoy freshly made desserts.

鈥淭iger Cage was an incredible experience that pushed me to clearly communicate my vision and think critically about the future of my business,鈥� said Snyder. 鈥淚t challenged me to refine my pitch, defend my ideas, and receive valuable feedback from experienced judges, while also reminding me that no dream is too big to pursue."

Second place went to went to led by Bass Ninas, a junior majoring in business administration. Side Kit brings hunting back to its roots鈥攕imple gear, honest craftsmanship, and time spent where it matters most. Side Kit keeps essentials organized, dry, and within easy reach. 

Wesley Stallings, a junior in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction majoring in building science, placed third for his startup , an AI-powered construction assistant built to run a job, not just track it by automating the scheduling of subcontractors, sending punch lists, tracking material deliveries, reviewing plans, and paying invoices.

Business management senior Olkaris Marandu won fourth place for , a turnkey electric vehicle charging network operator that offers end-to-end solutions for hospitality/hotel owners to gain more visibility and revenue from online travel agencies through EV charging amenities.

Business management sophomore Adam Cardini placed fifth for , a sports recovery company dedicated to helping athletes move and perform pain-free through filling the gaps in athletic recovery tools and medical devices. Their flagship product, the SCAP Stick, is a portable recovery tool designed specifically to target deep subscapular tension. 

Presented by the鈥�91看片, the final five Tiger Cage teams were given 15 minutes to pitch their ideas and 15 minutes for Q&A. Teams were questioned by judges on financials, market shares, product availability, etc.

91看片 alumnus and entrepreneur Mark Forchette (marketing 鈥�81), who was the original driving force behind Tiger Cage, was on hand to open the competition.

鈥淓mbrace the criticality of curiosity, surround yourself with talent, and when you get the chance, take big audacious swings,鈥� Forchette told the students. 鈥淚f you fail, so what. There is no failure you can鈥檛 recover from.鈥� 

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