Riata Center distributes more than $10,000 in scholarships to Student Innovation Expo winners

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Media Contact: Stephen Howard | Director of Marketing & Communications | 405-744-4363 | stephen.howard@okstate.edu

The Riata Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship  had no tricks and more than $10,000 worth of treats for Student Innovation Expo winners on Oct. 31. 

Student entrepreneurs across Oklahoma State University gathered in the Business Building to present their original business ideas and receive constructive feedback from judges. With 21 total entries, the Riata Center awarded over $10,500 in scholarships to winners across multiple categories. 

“The Riata Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is proud to support the next generation of innovators,” said Paula McCullough, Riata Center manager of outreach programs. “The Student Innovation Expo showcased the creativity, drive and entrepreneurial spirit of OSU students. These student entrepreneurs not only presented original business ideas but also gained valuable insights from experienced judges, helping them refine their ventures and grow as innovators.”

College of Education and Human Sciences student Steve Azzaro was the overall competition winner. His company, Az-Tec LLC, creates the SwingRight, a training device that forms a natural brace to improve an athlete’s swing. Azzaro received a $2,000 scholarship for his overall victory as well as $1,000 for winning his competition track.

Previously known as Pitch and Poster, the Student Innovation Expo is open to OSU students of any discipline with or without business experience. Each participant presents a poster and a 90-second elevator pitch to a group of judges followed by a 90-second question-and-answer session. 

Scholarships are awarded to the overall competition winner and to the top finalists in each competition track. Returning participants compete on the Rising Entrepreneur track.

The Student Innovation Expo is one of several initiatives developed and led by the Riata Center, the entrepreneurship hub in OSU’s Spears School of Business. 

Here is the full list of 2025 Student Innovation Expo winners.

Main Street Lifestyle

• First: Steve Azzaro – Az-Tec LLC – $1,000
• Second: Wyatt Nantz, Luke Nantz, Tyler Reynolds – Plenish Pouches – $700 
• Third: CJ Christe – Crescendo Guitars – $300

Big City/High Tech

• First: Thulasi Prasad Veggalam, Nabia Fardin – Cyclo Dynamics – $1,000
• Second: Carson McLain – NXT Turbine Technologies – $700
• Third: Thomas Kettles – EntrepreneursEat – $300

Social Enterprise

• First: Kevin Kuteesa – Prograte Capital – $1,000

Rising Entrepreneur

• First: Aubrey Fudge – Lingua – $1,500
• Second: Brooklyn Hawkins – In the Middle of a Miracle – $1,000

People’s Choice

• Wyatt Nantz, Luke Nantz, Tyler Reynolds – Plenish Pouches – $500 

Overall Competition Winner

• Steve Azzaro – Az-Tec LLC – $2,000

Visit the website to learn more about the Riata Center, which offers a world of resources for student entrepreneurs.