innovationAcademy

07/30/2026

Big ideas deserve the right launchpad. Applications are now open for the 2026 Accelerator Program!

Join our intensive 3-month program designed to help entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into thriving businesses through expert mentorship, hands-on workshops, and practical business development.

Throughout the program, you'll build your business plan, refine your investor pitch, work toward product-market fit, and prepare for sustainable growth and investor readiness.

- Applications close August 21
- Weekly Saturday workshops in Santa Fe
- Learn more and apply at goto.unm.edu/unmaccel

04/24/2026

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2026 Tech Navigator Challenge!

This year’s competitors developed commercialization plans for Sandia National Laboratories technologies through the tech transfer process, turning research innovations into market-ready business concepts. Teams explored ideas ranging from healthcare cybersecurity that protects hospital systems and medical devices, to advanced cooling solutions for AI computing, sustainable road materials, Alzheimer’s drug delivery systems and new protein sources for nutrition and agriculture. Their work showcased sharp business strategy, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking.

1st Place: Team 12 – Abinav Punnakuzhy and Ankit Devparapalli
2nd Place: Team 1 – Solomon Gbara and Janel Ahle
For the first time in Tech Navigator Challenge history, the competition ended in a tie for third place.
3rd Place: Team 3 – David Traub and Whitney Abbott
3rd Place: Team 6 – Christopher Andrick and Beliza Sanchez
Quick Pitch: Team 7 – Cory Henn, Rebecca Merchant and Ethan Garcia

Thank you to all of this year’s competitors for your hard work, preparation and dedication throughout the challenge:

Team 2 – Mohammed Hadri and Ching Lu
Team 4 – Cecilia Quinto, Himanshi Himanshi and Andres Sanchez
Team 8 – Luis Chavez and Carey Beam
Team 10 – Muhamed Abdelhack, Nada Abdelhack and Yusef Abdelhack

A sincere thank you to this year’s judges for sharing their time and expertise: Luis Ortiz, Stephanie Tofighi, Beth McDade, Ron Dimon, Katie Rice and Tony Wallace, as well as our mentors: Kalin Baca, Brian Adams, Kyle Guin, Victor Johnson, Ward Hendon, and Alex Greenberg.

Way to go, Lobos! Your innovation and drive made this year’s challenge one to remember.

04/17/2026

Innovation was on full display at the Spring 2026 Rainforest Pitch Competition. As we celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the event and 20 competitions in total, our student entrepreneurs brought forward creative solutions, fresh perspectives and the confidence to pitch ideas with real-world potential. From health care and wellness to AI, civic engagement, sustainability and consumer technology, the breadth of ideas presented showcased just how boldly our students are thinking about the future.

Thank you to our judges, Beverly Bendickson, Joe Maez, Mike Bickel, Sonya Priestley and Steve Griego, along with everyone who came out to cheer on these talented innovators. Special thanks to our generous sponsors, Bank of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, Judy Love and Suzann Owings, for helping make this event possible, and to Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. for hosting us.

This semester’s winners:

Audience Choice: Sherwin Thiyagarajan, Kelly Welch & Akansha Nanda - Phyllo-Gel

Judges’ Choice:
• Sandra Gabriella Casaus - Los G's
• Ricardo Garcia & Loryn Montoya - QueueSkin

Finalists:
Nina Bao - Select Speak
Malia Dumlao - SideChat
Hirofumi Mitsui - TrimSpend
Aidan Kuni - WisdomBrew
Aayusha Timalsina - AfterCare
Preston Minor - Right Wing, Left Wing
Andres Sanchez, Sina Fakhraei & Sneha Gupta - Terra BIM OS

Congratulations to all of our finalists for an incredible evening of innovation. We can’t wait to see what comes next.

04/15/2026

Join us live on YouTube for the Spring 2026 Rainforest Pitch Competition Live Finals on Wednesday, April 15 at 5:30 p.m. MT. We will also be streaming live on Instagram at .

Watch as ten student finalists pitch their ideas live from Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. and compete in an exciting evening of innovation, entrepreneurship, and student creativity.

Watch the Spring 2026 Rainforest Pitch Competition Live Finals as ten student finalists pitch their ideas live from Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. on Wednesday, Apr...