Liberal Arts Thinking Meets Entrepreneurial Action
In mid-January, the Bates Center for Entrepreneurship and Leadership hosted its annual entrepreneurial workshop, known as Winterim. The event brought 21 students to campus prior to the start of spring semester for a week of learning, networking, and mentoring, which culminated in a pitch competition for more than $10,000 in prizes.
Winterim
Winterim sparked a wave of entrepreneurial energy as students gathered for Lewis & Clark’s annual workshop and pitch competition, hosted by the Bates Center for Entrepreneurship and Leadership. Twenty-one students cut their winter break short to spend an intensive week on campus, diving into lectures, hands-on workshops, and team-based collaboration that traced the path from idea to venture.
Winterim kicked off with a Sunday night welcome dinner and remarks from Jill Kueler, founder and CEO of Freeland Spirits. Participants then began an intensive five days of work. Students learned from professionals in design thinking, start-up financing, branding, sales, personal financial literacy, and more. They were mentored along the way by more than 60 local business leaders and entrepreneurs.
In addition to Winterim’s many learning and networking opportunities, participants worked in groups to develop ideas for detailed business pitches. At the end of the week, the groups made their pitches, going head-to-head for $8,000 in cash prizes and a $5,000 legal start-up package from premier law firm Perkins Coie. Winterim audience members also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite pitch, worth $1,500 in prize money. Also at stake was an invitation to InventOR’s boot camp event in May 2026, where participants can go on to compete for $30,000 in prizes.
Tony Abena BS ’86, operating partner at Lightview Capital, donated $8,000 for the cash prizes. Judges of the final pitch competition included Juan Barraza, executive director of Latino Founders; Christopher Bates, managing director of Brampton Gillow Advisors; Jim Chi, president and executive director of Oregon Startup Center; Ann McQuesten JD ’11, corporate partner at Perkins Coie; Mohan Nair, CEO of Emerge USA; and Malia Spencer, reporter at the Portland Business Journal.
Five of the seven competing teams took home prizes, but the level of work on display extended well beyond the winners. Judges and audience members praised all of the teams for delivering clear, compelling, and carefully crafted pitches assembled over the course of only a few days.
Pitch Competition Winners
Photos by Nina Johnson
First Place ($3,000 cash prize and $5,000 legal start-up package from Perkins Coie)
Insertact—A contact lens-inserting device
From left: Nora Shaughnessy BA ’28, Thoan Nguyen BA ’27, Tanner Lee BA ’27
Second Place ($2,000 cash prize)
Evergrow—Children’s clothing that “grows” with the child
From left: Nombuso Msibi BA ’29, Jack Warren BA ’26, Nhan Han BA ’27
Best Comprehension of the Problem ($1,500 cash prize)
Sublet It Be—A digital student housing platform
From left: Anna Dreher BA ’26, Manhattan Doles BA ’29 (Posse Scholar), Naomi Taylor BA ’28
Audience Choice ($1,500 cash prize)
The Scholar’s Retreat—A curated intellectual residency on college campuses for curious adults
From left: Zoe Lang BA ’26, Nate Berol BA ’27, Garrett Lee BA ’26
InventOR Boot Camp Invitation ($2,000 for prototyping and a chance to compete statewide for $30,000)
Hot Take—Single-use, instant self-heating cup that delivers authentic hot yerba mate
From left: Bryce Lloyd BA ’29 (Posse Scholar), Nero Chau BA ’28, Fabrizio Martinez BA ’28
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