$50k Hospitality Innovation & $12k Student Wellbeing Competition Winners

See Photos of the 2025 Competition Finals

Hospitality Innovation Winners

1st Place – Behold Juice ($25,000)

Jiayou (Leon) Lin – MS in Hospitality Management, School of Hospitality Administration (SHA), Class of 2025

About the venture:
Behold Juice is an alternative citrus replacement made without any citrus, but identical to traditional citrus juice in taste and physical properties. The patent-pending, all-natural formula offers a longer refrigerated shelf life than fresh-squeezed juice and is aimed at bars and restaurants for use in cocktails and food prep. The product is currently produced at Commonwealth Kitchen with initial sales underway.

2nd Place – Madhrasi ($15,000)

Nancy Daniel – MBA candidate at Questrom School of Business (QST), Class of 2024
Insa Elliott – MBA, Questrom School of Business (QST), Class of 1997

About the venture:
Madhrasi makes authentic chai concentrates using fresh ginger and whole spices. Designed for convenience without compromising taste, the product allows anyone to enjoy traditional Indian chai by just adding milk. The brand currently targets cafes and coffee shops, with strong early traction at farmers’ markets and local events.

3rd Place – Arti ($10,000)

Suraj Nellore – Questrom School of Business (QST), Class of 2026
Palmer Vogt – Questrom School of Business (QST), Class of 2026

About the venture:
Arti is a B2B marketplace connecting boutique hotels with local vendors to provide bespoke products—from bath amenities to snacks and decor. The platform aims to simplify sourcing and payment for hotels while helping local businesses gain access to the hospitality market.

Student Wellbeing Winners

1st Place – Missed Connections ($6,000)

Frank Yang – College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), Class of 2027
Andrea Rojas Doupovec – College of Fine Arts (CFA), Class of 2025
Mohammed Hit – College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), Class of 2027
Joseph Marotta – College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), Class of 2027
Jodi Yu – College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), Class of 2026

About the venture:
MissedConnections is an iOS social app that fosters meaningful friendships among BU students. Using location tracking and interest-based matching, the app connects students who crossed paths during the day but didn’t interact, helping reduce loneliness and spark real-life friendships.

2nd Place – You and Me Both for International Graduate Students ($4,000)

Manasa Sivakumar – School of Public Health (SPH), Class of 2026

About the venture:
You and Me Both is a two-part program designed to combat isolation among international graduate students. The initiative pairs first-year international students with upper-year peers for mentorship and hosts monthly cultural events to build community and promote cross-cultural connection.

3rd Place – Kindness Chain ($2,500)

Qilin Liu – College of Communication (COM), Class of 2026
Chen Yang – College of Communication (COM), Class of 2026

About the venture:
Kindness Chain is a digital platform that cultivates a culture of giving at BU. Students can request or offer help, but to receive assistance, they must pledge to help someone else—creating a visible, growing chain of kindness across campus.