Student Entrepreneurs Awarded $5,000 at First Annual VentureNEXT Prize

by Anne Dougherty
May 23, 2025

On May 22, Cretin-Derham Hall launched its first annual VentureNEXT Prize Competition, a celebration of student entrepreneurship and innovation. After a competitive application process with 15 student ventures submitted, five finalists were selected to pitch live in front of a panel of accomplished judges and a supportive audience of families, peers, and community members.

Jack Peterman '25 took home the $3,000 grand prize for his Seedling Ejector & Dibble Tray Seeder—custom 3D-printed tools designed to streamline hydroponic farming and help small growers scale efficiently.

Two additional prizes of $1,000 each were awarded to:

• Chloe Cochrane '26 for Blast, a student-designed app that connects college students to clubs, events, and campus resources.

• Chayse Hampton-Johnson '25 and Logan Bobo '25 for Archve 37, a bold streetwear brand that archives culture through fashion and storytelling.
  

“These students aren’t just imagining solutions—they’re building them,” said Ms. Dougherty, Director of the VentureNEXT Prize. “They’ve shown not only creativity and grit, but a commitment to solving real-world problems. This is the kind of work that transforms futures.”

The event was made possible through the support of Shannon O’Leary '97, CDH alum and Chief Investment Officer at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, who serves as the founding donor of the VentureNEXT Prize. O’Leary opened the event with remarks on the importance of bold thinking and mission-aligned investing.

The panel of judges brought expertise from entrepreneurship, investing, strategy, and education:

• Andre Creighton – CFO and co-founder of TurnSignl; named 2023 CFO of the Year; also a high school football coach and mentor.
  

• Casey Shultz – Leader in venture capital and tech; now focuses on impact investing at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.
  

• Gina Gray – Chief Growth Officer at Colle McVoy, known for leading bold and effective marketing campaigns.
  

• Nathaniel Charles – Schultz Scholar at the University of St. Thomas; award-winning teen entrepreneur with ventures like ReConnect and Robo-Ref.
  

• Sean Van Gemert – CDH alum and Director of Admissions; brings 20+ years of business experience and a passion for youth development.
  

• Carl Wengewelski – Recently retired after 30 years with Accenture, where he advised Fortune 100 companies on innovation and strategy.
  

The VentureNEXT Prize is designed to support students in either launching their businesses or pursuing entrepreneurship studies after graduation. Winners will provide a follow-up report next year and return to share their progress with future CDH entrepreneurship students.

Want to sponsor or get involved next year?
We’re already planning for 2026. Please reach out to Anne Dougherty to learn how you can support the next generation of student founders.