The B.E.T.A. Challenge Goes Online

Writer

Kait Smith Lanthier

Kait Smith Lanthier is the Director, Content Strategy at Babson College and the Managing Editor of Babson Thought & Action. Her writing has appeared in print and online in a variety of outlets including USA Today, Yahoo Shine, YourTango, CosmoGirl, and First for Women magazine. Smith earned her undergraduate degree in journalism and graduate degree in integrated marketing, both from Marist College.

| April 2, 2020

Listen

As the Babson campus moved online, the B.E.T.A. Challenge moved online with it.

Eighteen semifinalists across the alumni, graduate, and undergraduate categories pitched their ventures at the virtual B.E.T.A. Venture Expo on April 1. They polished their pitch for a virtual environment, tested their tech, and went live to compete for a spot in the finale. The finalists will pitch on April 16 for $75,000 in cash prizes, plus “services-in-kind” donations from corporate sponsors. Finalists will pitch in the B.E.T.A. finale on April 16.

Meet the B.E.T.A. Challenge finalists »

“Pitching online can be challenging, but our semifinalists delivered,” said Debi Kleiman, executive director of The Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship. “We were really impressed with their ability to adapt to this new environment and showcase their startups. We are also grateful for the support of over 280 members of the Babson community who tuned in to cheer them on—you could feel the community spirit throughout the competition.”

Even from a distance, the Babson community came together to support this year’s semifinalists. See photos of the community tuning in below.

Posted in Community

Tagged Startups, Student Life

Latest Stories

Leading the Way: Babson Wellness Chief Elevates Well-Being Priorities in Higher Education Ryan Travia, associate vice president for student success at Babson, issues a call to embrace well-being as central to student success in an upcoming book that offers a roadmap to leadership in student health.

By Hillary Chabot

Writer

Hillary Chabot

Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.

October 8, 2025

Tagged Student Life, Entrepreneurship of All Kinds, Campus, Advice

Posted in Community, Insights