Two Auburn Engineering students won a combined $30,000 in startup funding during the final round of the Tiger Cage Student Business Idea Competition on Friday, March 28.
Winners of the Competition
Liam Heary, a sophomore in computer science and software engineering, secured second place and a $20,000 prize. Heary co-founded Planet of Snacks, an international snack distribution company. The judges, who were industry professionals, awarded him for his innovative business idea.
Vincent Visser, a sophomore studying industrial and systems engineering, took fourth place and won $10,000 for his startup, Polar Docks. Polar Docks is a misting system designed to keep docks cool, offering a practical solution to beat the summer heat.
The Tiger Cage competition, presented by the New Venture Accelerator and Harbert College of Business, provides months of mentoring and coaching to help students develop their business plans and pitch ideas to potential investors.
Insights from the Winners
Heary shared his thoughts on the competition, emphasizing the personal and professional growth that came with it. “We entered the Tiger Cage this past fall with an idea and left with $20,000. You can’t complain about that,” Heary said. He co-founded the startup with Harrison Ranier, a sophomore in apparel merchandising. “It’s not about winning money, it’s about making connections and learning. Being on stage and answering tough questions forces us to think critically, which is essential when running a business.”
The overall winner of the competition was Sophia Aulisio, a sophomore in the School of Accountancy. Aulisio’s startup, Protector Innovations, created the Patella Protector, a pad designed to improve mobility and protection by sitting just below the knee. Aulisio won $30,000 for first place, and also received a $5,000 special award from the Thomas Walter Center for Technology Management.
Third place and $15,000 were awarded to Harrison Irby, a finance student, for his collegiate clothing line, Tradition Apparel.
Polar Docks’ Future Plans
Visser, the founder of Polar Docks, developed the idea of cooling wooden docks while fishing at Lake Martin. He credited Tiger Cage for connecting him with valuable mentors and improving his presentation skills. “In my first presentation, I received four notes (suggestions for improvement) from the judges, and in the second, I received only one,” he noted. “That shows how much better I’ve become.” He also acknowledged the competition for helping shape his character.
Visser’s next step is to invest in a trencher, a machine used for digging trenches, to improve his process and build capital. He also plans to invest in marketing to generate interest, create jobs, and grow revenue.
Planet of Snacks: Connecting Cultures
Planet of Snacks, founded by Heary and Ranier, offers snack boxes from 32 countries, with 10 snack items in each box. The goal is to connect cultures through snacks. They plan to cater to international students in the U.S. and offer U.S. students the chance to try snacks from countries they’ll be visiting during study abroad programs.
Ranier explained, “Imagine you’re an American traveling abroad and you can’t find your favorite snacks from home. How would that make you feel?” The idea is to bring cultural familiarity to American students traveling abroad, allowing them to taste local snacks before they even leave the U.S.
Heary added, “We’re focusing on people who need international snacks first, as they provide the best feedback.” The team hopes to create a global network of snacks, offering a familiar taste of home for international students and unique options for travelers and businesspeople alike.
A Bright Future for Student Entrepreneurs
Lou Bifano, Director of the New Venture Accelerator, praised the students in this year’s competition. “The Tiger Cage Student Business Idea Competition showcases some of the most innovative and promising business ideas from our talented students,” Bifano said. “Many of these ideas have great potential to thrive beyond Auburn, and I’m confident they will make significant impacts in their industries.”
The Tiger Cage competition continues to be a vital platform for student entrepreneurs, offering them the tools and resources to turn their business ideas into reality.
