We are currently working to update this page with the 2024 Award winners' stories. Please feel free to review past projects below while we finalize the changes to this page.
Innovate! Celebrate! is the Baker Institute's annual awards dinner, featuring the Joan F. and John M/ Thalheimer '55 EUREKA! Grand Prize Pitch Competition.
Every April, the Baker Institute brings together students, faculty, stand, alumni, and generous supporters to celebrate Lehigh University's top talent in entrepreneurial thinking and doing.
2021-2022 Awards
The Joan F. and John M. Thalheimer '55 Grand Prize of $5,000 featured three finalists who had projects that progressed the furthest during the 2021-2022 academic year - pitching, winning and advancing through the Baker Institute's EUREKA! monthly pitch events. They pitched and won at Stage 3, where their ideas have been prototyped and have clear externally validated rationale, both technically and financially.
The three finalists teams and their projects were:
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Philip Ho '22 and Donkee, a food delivery service that caters to university students
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Michael Rich '23 and Streamlined, a platform providing small businesses with affordable, preference-based software
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Giana Jarrah '22 and With Meraki Co., whose probiotic supplement is designed to support women's urinary and vaginal health
The Joan F. and John M. Thalheimer '55 Grand Prize was awarded to Giana Jarrah '22 for With Meraki Co.
The John F. and Joan Thalheimer '55 Award for Student Achievement, recognizing the project that earned the most resources during the year, was awarded to Justin Gelwicks '23 for Three Dimensional Captures.
The Michael Levin '87 Advanced Technology Award, given to an engineering student developing new technologies, was awarded to Jake Murphy '25 for Royalty Wallet.
The People's Choice Award was voted on by the attendees during the Innovation Alley expo portion of the event. InfernoGuard LLC was awarded the People's Choice Award.
The Farrington Award for Outstanding Commitment to Entrepreneurship at Lehigh is given in the name of Lehigh University's 12th president Gregory Farrington, a champion for entrepreneurship education and presented annually to an individual whose efforts help Lehigh make strides in entrepreneurship education.
The 2022 Farrington Award winner was Jamie Flinchbaugh '94 '24P '26P.
The Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation Endowed Prize for Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Innovation is given to recognize students who have participated in Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Innovation programs and demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit. The 2022 recipients were:
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Alex Copits '23
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Rachelle Huh '23
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Jan Maciejewski '22
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Nicholas Wilson '22
The Donald E. Flinchbaugh Memorial Endowed Scholarship is given to a rising senior with a technical degree that best exhibits potential and interest in entrepreneurship. The 2022 winner was Declan Coster '22.
The John B. Ochs Teaching Award by the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation is given to recognize and reward faculty at the front end of their careers who have taken initiative and risks in their teaching by embracing entrepreneurship and/or entrepreneurial mindset learning. The 2022 winner was Dr. Farah Vallera '03G, '15Ph.D.