From Big Ideas to Big Impact: CRC Teams Up with Wheaton College for Annual ThunderPitch Competition

By jborthwick

Cleveland Research Company was proud to support the fourth annual ThunderPitch competition at Wheaton College in April, an event that continues to highlight the creativity and entrepreneurial drive of Wheaton students.

CRC’s EricBosshard, CEO and Wheaton alum, joined the judges panel for the evening, helping evaluate student pitches and provide real-world insight.

ThunderPitch began in 2021 as a class-based initiative and has since evolved into a high-energy, campus-wide competition. With the establishment of the Harrison Chair in Entrepreneurship, the competition is open to anyone on campus with an entrepreneurial idea.

Five student teams took the stage this year, presenting their ideas to a panel of judges and a full house of peers and faculty. Among them was Camryn Burleigh, a CRC summer research intern, who reflected on the experience:

“ThunderPitch pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way. Crafting and presenting a real investor pitch taught me how to think on my feet, communicate a clear vision, and handle tough questions with confidence. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the challenge, and the experience gave me a boost of confidence I’ll carry into future opportunities.”

$13,000 in prizes were awarded across four categories, each designed to recognize different aspects of entrepreneurial potential:

• Anderson Prize ($5,000) – Grand Prize
• Mastadon Prize ($3,000) – High Impact Idea
• Wheatie Prize ($3,000) – Most Likely to Succeed
• Thunder Prize ($2,000) – People’s Choice, selected by audience vote

Each team delivered a thoughtful and compelling presentation, backed by research, user insights, and vision for real-world application. CRC’s involvement in ThunderPitch reflects our continued commitment to mentoring young talent and fostering innovation in the next generation of business leaders.