Cone Center competition awards thousands to student-led startups
Belmont University's Thomas F. Cone Sr. Center for Entrepreneurship recently hosted its spring Business Venture Competition, bringing together 11 student entrepreneurs for a fast-paced, shark tank-style pitch event. Three student ventures walked away with cash prizes and a renewed sense of direction for their businesses. 
The competition was judged by a panel of Belmont alumni, including Prickly Pear Coffee founder Annika Baylis, KLLW, LLC founder Drew Lamb and Ryan Reisdorf, founder of Placemat — and a former Venture Competition winner.
First Place: Limer
John Needham, a senior business administration major and founder of Limer, took home first place and the $5,000 top prize.
Limer is a sparkling lime-and-salt hydration drink made with just three ingredients — fresh lime juice, sea salt and carbonated water — offering a crisp, low-sugar alternative in a market dominated by overly sweet options.
Needham has already begun validating the concept through local pop-ups, selling out his first run of 40 bottles and gathering early customer feedback that affirmed both the flavor and price point. He plans to use the prize money to work with a beverage formulator, moving Limer from a small-batch product to a shelf-stable, canned beverage ready for broader retail.
“Seeing the check turn around and read ‘Limer’ was pure bliss,” Needham said. “It felt like reaping what I had patiently sown.”
At its core, Needham said Limer is about intentionality — creating something simple, balanced and thoughtfully made.
“Winning the competition means a great deal for Limer,” he said. “While the funding is practical, the general support is a great push to keep moving forward.”
Second Place: Moon Piper Productions
Grace Piper Fields, a songwriting major with a music business minor, earned second place and a $2,500 prize for Moon Piper Productions, her immersive events company.
Since founding the LLC in 2023, Fields has produced original, multisensory experiences that combine live music, visual art and performance — including a 2024 original musical in Kansas City that sold over 500 tickets and generated a $12,000 net profit. Her next event, Melody & Muse, is an immersive fashion show concert set for April 19 in Nashville's Germantown neighborhood, featuring Belmont fashion design students and musicians.
"This win really feels like momentum for Moon Piper Productions," Fields said. "We're investing the prize money toward Melody & Muse while also laying the groundwork for future immersive events and growing our audience through marketing. I'm so grateful for the support. It means so much to have people believe in what we're building."
Third Place: Red Letter Coffee Co.
Red Letter Coffee Co., the faith-inspired mobile coffee cart founded by freshman psychology and entrepreneurship double major Catherine Norris, took third place and a $1,000 award.
The company, whose name draws from the red-letter editions of the Bible that highlight the words of Jesus, centers its brand on connection, purpose and community. Norris plans to use her winnings to support local suppliers — sourcing milk from family farms and syrups from local entrepreneurs — and to complete the licensing process for her business.
"Winning will allow my business to expand its impact on the people around it," Norris said. "I am truly in awe to have been chosen as a recipient of this incredible opportunity."
Just Say Yes
Beyond the top three, the Cone Center awarded all participating competitors $500 each in recognition of their dedication to workshops, mentorship and competitions throughout the year. A People's Choice Award of $250 was also presented to junior business administration student Morgan Geisinger for her company 615 Focused.
For students still on the fence about entering future competitions, Norris offered a simple challenge: "Just say yes. Participating in this competition is rewarding throughout every step of the process as you grow not just as a business owner, but as a leader and a person. There is simply no way to lose by saying yes."
Needham echoed that sentiment.
"If you believe in something, don't let the fear of failure or embarrassment sway you — they can be awfully loud, but are not the ones making the decision. Regardless of the outcome, you will experience so much growth."
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