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Lux & Nyx, led by Lisa Hu among those six finalists named for $75K funding in Skandalaris Center's Global Impact Awards

Six finalists were chosen to compete for the 2025 Global Impact Award to be presented by the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Washington University.

The Global Impact Award was founded with a $1.02 million donation in 2013 from husband-and-wife Washington University graduates Suren Dutia and Jas Grewal to support WashU-affiliated entrepreneurs who are creating ventures that are scalable, sustainable, for-profit and quick-to-market with proof of concept for a broad impact, according to the center.

Following mentorship and training offered during the spring semester, finalists make their pitch presentation to a panel of judges, who select one or more winning teams for up to $75,000.

Winners will be announced at the Washington University Innovation & Entrepreneurship Awards, presented by the Skandalaris Center, on April 17.

The finalists for the 2025 Global Impact Award are:

• Alumin8, led by Alyssa Huffman, developed a 3D-printed, porous pedicle screw to use stem cells or therapeutics to reduce global revision rates for spinal fusion surgery.
• ASL Aspire, led by Mona Jawad, is an online education platform promoting STEM literacy for K-12 students who are deaf or hearing impaired and their teachers through games.
• Lux & Nyx, led by Lisa Hu, provides women in the workforce with stylish bags to support every stage of their careers.
• Sobriety Hub, led by Clay Canfield, is a recovery residence management software for owners, operators and managers of sober living facilities.
• Top Tutors for Us, led by Angelica Harris, is an online standardized test preparation and tutoring service that connects minority high school students with minority tutors currently enrolled in college.
• WattShift, led by Will Blanchard, optimizes smart energy devices for grid incentive schemes.

“We were impressed to see so many diverse industries represented in our applicant pool this cycle, all of which are having a societal impact and looking to scale,” Cyril Loum, venture development manager for the Skandalaris Center, said last week in a press release. “I am excited for these six ventures as they continue their path towards the finals, receiving mentorship and guidance along the way. The Skandalaris Center is here to support them during the program, but we look forward to how we can continue to help them grow long after the competition concludes.”

The Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship is responsible for supporting entrepreneurship initiatives at Washington University, helping the university’s students, faculty and alumni launch and grow their own startup ventures. Read more here.