SCIVINCE team continues success with 3D-printing prototype
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Media Contact: Tanner Holubar | Communications Specialist | 405-744-2065 | tanner.holubar@okstate.edu
An interdisciplinary team of Oklahoma State University students won first place in the i2E Love’s Entrepreneur’s Cup with the success of their business venture, SCIVINCE.
This collegiate business plan competition simulates the process of researching a market, writing a business plan and presenting it to potential investors.
It is the second prestigious award for the team, following a first-place finish in the Big City/High Tech category in the 2025 Riata Center for Entrepreneurship’s Business Plan competition.
Now, the team will compete in the regional competition for the Startup World Cup, held in June in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with teams competing for a spot on the international stage and a $1 million investment. Teams that qualify for the regional competition will then present at the global conference in San Francisco later in the year
The SCIVINCE team consisted of two students from the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, Soroosh Farsiani and Mahla Hosseini and William Petty, students in the Spears School of Business.
The team also benefited from collaborating with business professor David Thomison, who aided the team with his entrepreneurial experience and guidance. They also enjoyed collaborating with John Nickel of the OSU Research Foundation, Amanda Aker with the Office of Technology Commercialization and Gina Cosden with the OSU University Research Compliance throughout the process of commercializing SCIVINCE.
The product of this interdisciplinary OSU collaboration resulted in multi-axis 3D-printing technology that uses less material and print time via counter-gravity printing.
The concept was first discussed with Farsiani and Dr. Hadi Noori, an assistant professor in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in CEAT.
Noori first introduced the concept.
They aimed to 3D printing in microgravity conditions and quickly learned that counter-gravity printing could address challenges associated with the materials used.
“This approach can help with waste reduction, customization of product properties and multi-material printing,” Noori said. “These advantages enhance the flexibility of 3D printing, allowing for not only complex macro-geometry but also intricate micro-level designs necessary for multifunctional applications and high-end products.”
After creating the first prototype, SCIVINCE LLC, was created with equity shares held by OSU. The team signed a licensing agreement with the university to further advance the plan for commercializing the technology. This involves developing the prototype further, customer research and developing a business model to generate revenue.
SCIVINCE also has a pending Small Business Innovation Research grant with the National Science Foundation.
“As we work on research and development to refine our design and enhance the technology's value for our customers in 3D printing service bureaus, we are excited about competing at the national level to attract investors,” Noori said. “This competitive effort energizes the entire team and accelerates our plans to enter the market within one to two years.”
The experience of taking an idea and bringing it to the market has been great for the students involved. Farsiani said each step, from building the business model to exploring the market, has been transformative.
“Every step pushed us to grow as researchers, entrepreneurs and collaborators,” Farsiani said. “Competing alongside other talented teams and receiving feedback from industry experts has been both humbling and motivating. Winning first place at two competitions was a proud moment, but learning along the way has been more valuable.”
Farsiani said it has been incredibly validating to hear the response from industry experts, advisors, and competition judges, as it proves that what they are building represents a need. He has also seen the powerful combination of collaborative research and entrepreneurial spirit.
“We believed strongly in the potential of the technology, and we are glad to gain this level of traction so quickly,” Farsiani said.
Noori said this successful endeavor showcases OSU’s potential to be an effective platform for fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and promoting STEM research that makes an impact.
“Developing human resources is essential for OSU's growth into a leading institution for entrepreneurship in Oklahoma and beyond,” Noori said. “From this perspective, success is truly meaningful only when we prioritize the development of human resources and make bold decisions to shift our mindset from ‘sticking with the norms’ to embracing ‘experiential learning.’”
A path for future entrepreneurs
The first prototype was developed and refined after 15 undergraduate students worked on the project over the course of three semesters as a Senior Design project.
SCIVINCE began as a Senior Design project and remained so for three semesters, with three teams of five students.
The collaboration between engineering and business students resulted in an blueprint for taking an idea from conception to the marketplace. While every endeavor is unique, the success of SCIVINCE showed what is possible through collaboration, innovation and taking risks.
“Their success is an excellent example of what can be accomplished through cross-disciplinary collaboration,” Noori said. “As one of the team's mentors, I am proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside them throughout their work and preparations.”
The ability to work with other departments at OSU has created an environment where each researcher is learning from the expertise of others.
“The collaboration between the teams at CEAT and Spears exemplifies the potential within the OSU system,” Noori said. “Throughout this process, we are not only learning from one another but also enjoying the development of new collaborative ideas for workforce development. The integration of essential technological and business expertise will enhance the likelihood of success for every enterprise, including our startup.”
It is meaningful to Farsiani and other students to be able to represent OSU in competitions. He said it shows the strength of combining innovative research with an entrepreneurial spirit can be an example that other students can follow.
"If our journey encourages even one student to take their idea beyond the lab or classroom, then we’ve already made an impact,” Farsiani said. “I hope future students see this as proof that innovation from OSU can lead to real-world solutions and real-world success.”