More than a dozen student entrepreneurs recently took the stage for OCCC’s first-ever “Trailblazer Tank” competition, a showcase of creativity, innovation and business insight.
Each presenter had seven minutes to pitch their business ideas, followed by five minutes of Q&A with a panel of judges that included Vice President for Academic Affairs Liz Largent, Associate Vice President for Advancement Nancy Alexander, Student Success Advisor Javier Puebla and outside business expert Walter Miller.
Among the competitors was Pioneer Editor-in-Chief Trey Brite, who delivered a calm, detailed pitch for VertiGro, a startup focused on converting Oklahoma farm waste – such as poultry litter, pecan shells and crop residue – into biochar and soil amendments through a heat-induced decomposition process known as pyrolysis. He outlined five revenue streams: retail soil blends, verified carbon credits, waste-collection fees, industrial fuel sales and consulting services. Emphasizing direct relationships with farmers and custom blends suited to Oklahoma ranches, orchards and pastures, Brite fielded tough questions on competition and profitability with confidence, earning nods and follow-ups from the judging panel.
The competition featured an impressive range of ideas. One student pitched a sportswear brand aimed at solo athletes seeking bold, high-performance gear typically reserved for team sports. Another introduced Arena51 OKC, a developing esports and entertainment venue with a live website already in place. An international student from France shared plans for a mobile crêperie to serve festivals and pop-up events. A streetwear line featuring original graphic designs on hoodies and jackets drew loud applause when sample pieces were revealed.
Other concepts included transforming quiet coffee shops into weeknight music venues, a children’s party-and-entertainment service demonstrated with colorful toy blasters and food businesses offering artisan baked goods and specialty coffee.
Many participants were international or first-generation college students who wove pieces of their personal journeys into their pitches, giving their ideas added depth and authenticity. Prototypes, samples and live websites were common, and the toy-blaster demonstration even prompted smiles from judges, who picked up the props during the Q&A session. Audience members, professors and staff cheered after every presentation, as judges took careful notes and asked pointed questions about costs, customers and growth strategies – providing all competitors with valuable real-world feedback.
By the end of the event, Brite claimed first place for his research-driven sustainability pitch. As the winner, he will receive nine credit hours of free tuition. Second-place finisher Lindsey Eddings will receive six credit hours, and third-place winner Samuel Campos will earn three.
Brite’s presentation reflected positively on The Pioneer, and his award underscored the level of innovation emerging from OCCC students. The brand-new Trailblazer Tank competition allowed OCCC to further showcase its role as a hub for entrepreneurship, creativity and practical business experience.
