The F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D. Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Kentucky had a remarkable showing at the 2025 PNC Wildcat Pitch Competition this past weekend, with its graduate student teams capturing all three top spots in the graduate division.
First place went to FlowTech, a dynamic team developing wearable technology for real-time monitoring of brain hemodynamics. Composed of Faezeh Akbari, Pegah Safavi and Fatemeh Hamedi, the FlowTech team impressed the judges with their innovation, technical depth and market potential, securing the top prize.
Second place was awarded to Neuro Vista, Faraneh Fathi, and third place went to RAM Devices, Madison Laurel Bates. Their standout presentations further demonstrated the department’s strength in translating biomedical research into real-world impact.
The graduate division was a highlight of the weekend-long competition, where student entrepreneurs pitched their business plans for a chance to win seed funding. This year, a total of $20,000 in prize money was awarded, with finalists selected from both graduate and undergraduate divisions.
The competition is hosted by the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship and the Gatton College of Business and Economics. Thirteen teams competed in this year’s event, each demonstrating creativity, technical skill, and entrepreneurial drive.
