Show-Me State Times

The Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship at Saint Louis University (SLU) will host its New Venture Accelerator (NVA) Demo Day on August 14. The event will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Saint Louis Club, The Confluence Ballroom, in St. Louis.

The NVA program provides SLU students and recent alumni with equity-free investments of up to $50,000 to help launch their businesses. Over the past 14 weeks, participants have also received mentoring and resources from SLU experts.

Applicants submitted pitches in March outlining their products or services, target markets, and competition. A panel made up of entrepreneurs, alumni, and investors selected the final teams.

Four companies will present at Demo Day:

AlgaEarth is a biodegradable packaging platform using algae and other bio-based materials. Its aim is to create packaging that can break down naturally in soil and reduce single-use waste such as plastic coatings and films. AlgaEarth was founded by Abigail Avila, Ph.D., who earned her doctorate in biomedical engineering from SLU.

MedReveal is a healthcare analytics company that helps independent medical practices and surgery centers use price transparency data. It offers AI-powered tools for detecting underpayments, benchmarking rates against competitors, and generating insurer-specific insights for reimbursement negotiations. MedReveal won the 2025 SLULaunch competition. Its founders are Harshu Pande, Claire Elah Doua, Tarun Janapati, Seyun Jeong, and Satya Siva Sai Kiran Gutti—all members of SLU’s Class of 2025.

Phoenix Biomedical has developed a prosthetic with plug-and-play parts that users can repair themselves. This design aims to lower maintenance costs and reduce delays caused by traditional billing practices through a combination of 3D printing and conventional manufacturing methods. Phoenix Biomedical was founded by Lili Hostetler, who holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from SLU.

SprayX is an agricultural technology company offering drone-based crop spraying services. The company focuses on precision applications to help farmers protect crops efficiently while reducing waste and environmental impact. SprayX was founded by Chris Kalmer, a senior finance major at SLU’s Chaifetz School of Business.

“Med Reveal was the 2025 SLULaunch winner.”

Those interested in attending can register online for the event.