People gather to listen to the opening speech before the New Venture Expo. Glassboro, NJ. April 18, 2025. - Staff Writer / Alexander Cruz
On Friday, April 18, Rowan students took their entrepreneurial skills to the main floor of the Business Hall to promote their ideas to the New Venture judges.
The New Venture Expo allows 45+ student startups to network their ideas and to hopefully get the funding they need to grow and expand their business, whether they are in the starting stages or already have a background in their respective industries.
Ali Ishage, a 20-year-old sophomore and physics major, founded the startup Egahsi Scented Essentials. The product is an oil-based perfume that doesn’t have the aftereffect of the typical burning sensation that comes with sprays.
“I feel like this is a great opportunity to get my idea out there,” said Ishage. “I’ve been working on this since I was in high school, and I always wanted to make something that people like me with sensitive skin could use.”
Miriah Shepardson is a 20-year-old junior human resource major. She is a part of the startup, Re-D. Re-D’s business idea is to make a plastic hot gun to melt the leftover waste that 3D printers make and reuse it so that nothing gets thrown out.
“We started this business idea in the beginning of this school semester, and we have gotten so far with it. It’s great to know that this product could reduce plastic waste, and I know our group can’t wait to get a chance at an opportunity like this,” said Shepardson.
Siena Rampulla, a 23-year-old who is studying for her MBA in business administration, was the emcee for this year’s New Venture expo. Rampulla was the winner of two expos for her safety app for women on college campuses, PULLATracker.
“I think that every Rowan student needs this. This is the Super Bowl of networking, and it gives students a chance to give it their all. So much can come out of this, and it allows students to follow their dreams and have their ideas seen by so many to give them those opportunities in the real world,” said Rampulla.
One of the many proctors of the expo, Nicholas Nastasi, is a graduate assistant of the school of innovation and entrepreneurship and was the previous expo winner for his company 4U Medical. One of his many responsibilities is to help prepare all participants for competitions and help refine their product ideas.
“It’s so inspiring that all these students get a chance to network and connect with others and get their startups out there. As someone who has won a New Venture competition, I know that this opportunity can get you so far, and it’s amazing to know others will get to experience that,” said Nastasi.
Samantha Tamtama, a freshman entrepreneurship major, won first place at the expo for her chicken sandwich and sauce business, Sammi’s Sandwiches. Tamtama currently works out of her own kitchen and does pop-up sales.
Jessica Vattima is the director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and was in attendance to oversee the event. As one of the members of the board, her job is to bring in judges from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York to be a part of the expo.
“I’m proud of all the students who get to be here and see them not only work on their studies, but also their businesses. I know a lot of work goes into this, and watching the students take initiative and have the drive to be a part of the business world is always inspiring,” said Vattima.
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