Patriot Pitch Competition

“I think it's the real American dream to have something of your own, build something of your own,” says Bailey Mahoney, MBA ‘26. He grew up witnessing firsthand not only what could be built but also the freedom it created, as his father, who owned an electrical contracting business, always made time to be present for the important moments in his life. Without even realizing it, Mahoney found his first business mentor in his father.

Senior Khaled Alkurd is speeding up instead of slowing down as he approaches graduation.

A team of Systems Engineering and Operations Research is improving health care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A systems engineering team won first place in the George Mason Patriot Pitch Social Impact Track and won the People’s Choice Award, along with first place in the U.S. Military Academy System Engineering Design Competition.

Two members of the Costello College of Business at George Mason University have been honored with the Jack Wood Award for Town-Gown Relations. Selected in the staff category was Rebecca Howick, director of operations and engagement for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). In the student category, Iman Chaudhry, a sophomore studying management information systems, was recognized.

On Thursday, April 9, 2026, students, faculty, alumni, and other stakeholders from across the George Mason University community gathered to cheer on the final teams of entrepreneurs competing in this year’s Patriot Pitch Competition, including those featured in the competition’s newly introduced Regional Showcase.

A George Mason junior won $13,000 at the Patriot Pitch Competition for EduVerse, a platform that streamlines hiring by tracking applicants’ skill development.

Rayan Rahman, BS Management ’17, has achieved an impressive amount in a short period of time. Now a senior recruiter at Amazon, he has founded two companies—Changing Bangladesh Foundation and Airposted—the latter of which he sold during the COVID pandemic when it had reached a gross merchandise value of approximately one million dollars.

Zachary Suh, a marketing major in the Costello College of Business and member of the Honors College at George Mason University, founded HomePlate,a meal service for seniors, in his sophomore year.

While a student at Costello, Jheen Oh's passion for business blossomed. Coming from a health-conscious family, Oh, with the help of his father, launched Susosu Water, the only naturally sourced mineral water from a 600-foot underground source in South Korea, infused with extra hydrogen for a much healthier hydration.