Textiles PhD Students Win at Lulu eGames Startup Competition

Four Wilson College of Textiles doctoral students took first place honors in one of the Lulu eGames competition categories on April 14.

The team’s novel nonwoven based air-filtration products won the B Corp Champions Challenge portion of the annual startup competition. The B Corp track allows NC State students the opportunity to create and showcase a business plan for a new sustainable venture. This challenge is designed for students who are building ventures that are using business as a force for social and environmental change.

• Sumit Phalak, co-inventor, Graduate Research Assistant, The Nonwovens Institute
• Yasar Kiyak, co-inventor, Graduate Research Assistant, The Nonwovens Institute
• Xiaomeng Fang, co-inventor, Graduate Research Assistant, Fiber and Polymer Science Program
• Samaneh Mohseni, co‐inventor, Graduate Research Assistant, The Nonwovens Institute

Guided by Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, the team was awarded $4,000 for the B Corp track win and another $500 for winning Fan Favorite Video for their pitch video during the Lulu eGames Expo and Awards.

NC State student and faculty entrepreneurs showcased their innovative products and new ventures during the Lulu eGames Awards Ceremony. The competition awarded more than $60,000 in prize money across five different categories. The annual competition is sponsored by Lulu.com and is made possible by a gift from its founder, Bob Young. Learn more.