FAU ECOS Faculty, Student Ventures Shine at 18th Annual Business Pitch Competition
Monday, Apr 27, 2026
Congratulations to the top-performing FAU School for Environmental, Coastal & Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) and Charles E. Schmidt College of Science ventures of the 18th annual Business Pitch Competition at Florida Atlantic University!
Afferent Marine, founded by Stephen Kajiura, Ph.D., a professor of biological sciences within the Schmidt College of Science, and Kyle Newton, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the college’s Department of Biological Sciences, was named the winner of the competition’s new Ocean Blue Economy track for its pioneering work on a patent-pending shark deterrent device aimed at reducing bycatch in commercial longline fisheries.
FungiFlow, founded by Christian Woehr, an undergraduate researcher in the Department of Biological Sciences, Schmidt College of Science and WLW-ECOS fellow, was named a runner-up in the same track for its eco-friendly, mushroom-based air filters.
Afferent Marine won $2,500 in seed funding to further develop the device that provides a cost-effective, practical solution to reduce shark bycatch. The device, which attaches to a fishing hook, utilizes a combination of zinc and graphite to create a galvanic electric field in seawater that selectively repels sharks from baited hooks while leaving target species unaffected. Field tests have shown that the device can reduce shark catch rates by up to 69%. Unlike other deterrents, which can be expensive or difficult to use, this approach leverages sharks’ natural electrosensory system, creating a targeted, efficient solution that can increase both the ecological sustainability and profitability of fishing operations.
FungiFlow won $1,000 in seed funding to advance the development of the team’s biorenewable air filtration system. As the lead researcher, Woehr grows and tests the FungiFlow prototypes that reduce waste and costs while providing sustainable, accessible indoor air purification under the direction of Vivian Merk, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Schmidt College of Science’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
“Being named runner-up in the competition is very fulfilling,” stated Woehr. “With this funding, Dr. Merk and I will be able to explore more ways to reduce manufacturing costs for FungiFlow and build more testing reports to support its viability.”
The Ocean Blue Economy track, sponsored by the Marine Research Hub in collaboration with FAU’s ECOS, highlights ventures focused on ocean, coastal, marine and water-dependent industries. It aims to reinforce Florida’s growing leadership in climate resilience and blue economy innovation.
The teams received their awards at FAU’s Maverick Innovation Awards event on April 14, which brought together the top founders from the 2026 Business Pitch Competition for an end-of-year showcase to celebrate innovation, execution and entrepreneurial impact. During the event, Kajiura was also presented with a $15,000 Innovation Pilot Award for his shark deterrent device.
Established in 2024 by FAU’s Office of Technology Development within the Division of Research, the Innovation Pilot Award Program provides seed funding to FAU researchers to advance innovative ideas, develop prototypes, and generate proof-of-concept data that attract industry partners and external investors.
“The Innovation Pilot Award provides critical support at a stage when our research can transition from a promising prototype to a market-ready solution,” said Kajiura. “We’re excited to continue testing the device with commercial fishermen, gather their feedback, and refine the design. This funding brings us closer to commercial production, protecting sharks while supporting sustainable fisheries worldwide.”
Launched in 2009, the FAU Business Pitch Competition has grown into one of South Florida’s longest-running university-based startup competitions. Far more than a traditional startup competition, the competition continues to serve as a regional launchpad for early-stage ventures across South Florida, connecting founders with mentorship, funding opportunities and ecosystem partners across academia, industry and government.
“The Innovation Pilot Award provides critical support at a stage when our research can transition from a promising prototype to a market-ready solution,” said Kajiura. “We’re excited to continue testing the device with commercial fishermen, gather their feedback, and refine the design. This funding brings us closer to commercial production, protecting sharks while supporting sustainable fisheries worldwide.”
Launched in 2009, the FAU Business Pitch Competition has grown into one of South Florida’s longest-running university-based startup competitions. Far more than a traditional startup competition, the competition continues to serve as a regional launchpad for early-stage ventures across South Florida, connecting founders with mentorship, funding opportunities and ecosystem partners across academia, industry and government.