As the judges whittled the list of competitors down from five to the final two, viewers of the second SEC Start Up Competition brought to you by Regions Bank could also smell the tension in the room.
What they probably couldn’t smell is the all-too-familiar perfume of lockers rooms, shoes and gym bags … possibly thanks to the competition’s winner – Godors. Cole Piotrowski, Ole Miss Track and Field, is the developer and entrepreneur behind the practical and safe, all-natural odor removing spray.
We’re not just runners or players. We’re thinkers, creators and doers, too. Cole Piotrowski, Ole Miss Track and Field
Now, he has $10,000 in SEC Start Up competition funds to help him take his business to the next level. For the four-year track and field participant, the award will help him excel in places outside of his middle-distance running.
“This competition gives all of us finalists the chance to show what student-athletes are capable of outside of sports,” he said. “We’re not just runners or players. We’re thinkers, creators and doers, too.”
SEC Start Up is now in its second year and is a student-athlete pitch competition, designed to foster entrepreneurship. Student-athletes from various schools in the SEC competed to be a part of the event, which provides a forum in which a panel of judges evaluate their business ideas and plans.
Winners are selected by the team of judges based on their business plans and pitch presentations.
Regions, a supporter of SEC Start Up, is the official bank of the SEC.
In addition to Godors, winners included:
Second Place – Liam Heary and Harrison Ranier, Auburn University Swimming & Diving for Planet of Snacks. The business imports international snacks to the U.S. so people can enjoy familiar favorites from home.
Third Place – Joaquin Gonzalez Pinero, University of Florida Swimming & Diving
Musa Coffee – Bringing superior quality coffee to the U.S. from his family’s farm in Colombia.
Mohamed Elgouhari, University of Oklahoma, Wrestling
Gametime Rehab – App that supports recovery through targeted workouts and support of personal fitness coaches.
Caleb Surber, Texas A&M, Football
Locker12 – Website lets fans purchase exclusive, team-issued gear directly from former student-athletes.
Judges included
Dari Nowkhah – Host
Host and anchor on SEC Network, regularly appearing on SEC Now throughout the week.
Leroy Abrahams
Senior executive at Regions Bank, serving as head of Community Affairs.
Daymeon Fishback
Businessman and former basketball player at Auburn University and a respected on-air basketball analyst for ESPN and the SEC Network.
Emily Loftiss
A charismatic television personality who shares her passion for fashion and beauty through her unique brand, Everyday Glam.
Jesslyn Rollins
The CEO of BIOLYTE, a rapidly growing hydration beverage company she began building in 2017.
Check the SEC Network/ESPN app for additional air times and availability for the competition.