Title: RazeMath Triumphs at UCSB’s 26th Annual New Venture Competition
Intro
At the 26th Annual New Venture Competition (NVC) hosted by the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), a startup called RazeMath claimed top honors, securing critical funding and mentorship to accelerate the development of its AI-powered math tutoring platform. The competition, which spotlights student and alumni ventures across a spectrum of industries, awarded RazeMath a $50,000 grand prize and set the stage for further expansion of its accessible, personalized learning tool.
Structure
1. What Is the UCSB New Venture Competition?
2. RazeMath: The Winning Team
3. The Winning Pitch: Technology and Traction
4. Other Finalists and Award Winners
5. Judging Criteria and Mentorship Support
6. What Comes Next for RazeMath?
7. Conclusion
8. 3 Key Takeaways
9. 3-Question FAQ
1. What Is the UCSB New Venture Competition?
• Background: Established in 1998, the NVC is UCSB’s premier entrepreneurship showcase, organized by the Office of Technology & Industry Alliances (OTIA) and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED).
• Objective: To help promising student and alumni ventures refine their business models, validate market assumptions, and secure funding through a staged competition culminating in live pitches.
• Format: Teams advance through preliminary rounds—application, feedback sessions, semifinal judging—before seven finalists present to a panel of seasoned investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts.
2. RazeMath: The Winning Team
• Founders: Computer Science undergraduates Maya Chen and Luis Ramirez, together with graduate student advisor Dr. Aaron Bergman.
• Mission: Democratize high-quality math education by harnessing AI and peer collaboration to deliver tailored problem-solving support.
• Origin Story: Born from Chen and Ramirez’s experiences struggling to find affordable, personalized tutoring during their first year at UCSB, RazeMath evolved from a simple study-group app into a data-driven platform that matches learners with on-demand explanations and interactive problem sets.
3. The Winning Pitch: Technology and Traction
• Core Product: An AI engine that analyzes a student’s strengths and weaknesses, recommends targeted practice problems, and surfaces step-by-step solutions augmented by short video explanations.
• Peer Tutoring Network: Certified undergraduate tutors complete micro-learning modules to specialize in key topic areas (e.g., calculus, linear algebra) and earn revenue through hourly sessions.
• Early Traction:
– 1,200 active users at UCSB in a three-month pilot
– 85% user satisfaction rating and 40% improvement in homework scores
– Letters of intent from two regional community colleges for pilot expansion
• Business Model: Freemium subscription (core content free; premium features such as 24/7 live tutoring and advanced analytics available at $15–$25/month).
4. Other Finalists and Award Winners
• Second Place & $20,000: EcoHarvest, a sustainable aquaponics system that reduces water usage by 70%.
• Third Place & $10,000: MediLend, a blockchain-enabled platform connecting underserved clinics with high-quality medical supplies.
• Audience Choice Award & $5,000: ArtistryAI, an on-demand generative art tool for small businesses crafting custom branding.
• Honorable Mentions:
– SafeSips: A reusable smart water bottle tracking hydration and environmental impact
– GreenThreads: Upcycled textile marketplace aimed at reducing fashion waste
5. Judging Criteria and Mentorship Support
• Criteria: Market size and growth potential; product differentiation; team expertise; financial projections; and clarity of go-to-market strategy.
• Feedback: Each finalist underwent two days of one-on-one coaching in pitch refinement, slide deck design, and financial modeling.
• Mentorship: Post-competition, winners receive six months of pro bono advisory from UC Ventures, access to co-working space through UCSB’s New Venture Incubator, and connections to angel and VC networks.
6. What Comes Next for RazeMath?
• Immediate Plans:
– Scale the pilot to five additional California campuses in Fall 2025
– Hire two full-time engineers to advance the adaptive learning algorithm
– Launch mobile apps for iOS and Android by Q1 2026
• Funding Roadmap:
– Use the $50,000 prize to enhance platform stability, cover legal incorporation fees, and file provisional patents on core AI methodologies
– Prepare for a seed round in Spring 2026, targeting $500,000 to expand the tutor network nationally
• Impact Goals: Reach 10,000 monthly active learners and demonstrate a measurable improvement of two letter grades per student within two semesters.
7. Conclusion
RazeMath’s victory at UCSB’s 26th Annual NVC underscores the competition’s role as a launchpad for mission-driven startups seeking to pair technological innovation with real-world impact. With a solid product, early user validation, and an experienced team at the helm, RazeMath is poised to transform math education for students who need it most.
8. 3 Key Takeaways
• A Compelling Solution Wins: RazeMath addressed a clear pain point—affordable, personalized math help—and validated demand through a well-executed campus pilot.
• Mentorship Multiplies Value: Intensive coaching and investor feedback at the NVC refined the team’s pitch and business model, positioning RazeMath for accelerated growth.
• Momentum Matters: Early traction metrics and institutional partnerships make RazeMath an attractive bet for future investors and educational collaborators.
9. 3-Question FAQ
Q1: What makes RazeMath different from other online tutoring platforms?
A1: Unlike one-size-fits-all services, RazeMath combines AI-driven diagnostics with a curated peer tutoring network, ensuring both scalable automated support and human-centered guidance.
Q2: Who is eligible to compete in the UCSB New Venture Competition?
A2: Any venture founded or co-founded by a current UCSB student, faculty member, or recent alumnus (within three years), across all industries and stages.
Q3: How can startups apply for the next NVC cycle?
A3: Applications open in January each year on the UCSB NVC website, requiring a brief executive summary, team bios, and a preliminary financial overview. Selected semifinalists receive tailored coaching leading up to the live finals in May.
