Student Entrepreneur Wins $6K at ROC the Pitch

St. John Fisher University sophomore Brennan Conn ’28 brought home the $6,000 grand prize from the Rochester Institute of Technology’s ROC the Pitch competition, a regional showcase of student entrepreneurship presented in partnership with Fisher and the University of Rochester.

Conn, a marketing major with a minor in entrepreneurship, is the founder of Challkbar, an innovative product designed for rock climbers. His success at the competition highlights both his creativity and the growing strength of Fisher’s entrepreneurship program.

From Classroom to Climb: The Start of Challkbar

Conn’s interest in entrepreneurship began well before college, through his involvement in DECA and other business clubs. When he arrived at Fisher, he enrolled in Dr. Chantz Miles’ Business Kickstarter course, where his passion for business took shape. Under Miles’ mentorship, Conn began developing his entrepreneurial skills and ideas, eventually leading to the creation of Challkbar.

An avid rock climber, Conn found inspiration for his product during time spent at the climbing gym with his brother.

“Rock climbers use chalk to keep their hands dry and improve grip,” he explained. “There’s powdered chalk and liquid chalk, but we noticed a gap between the two.”

That idea became Challkbar, a hybrid chalk designed to deliver the benefits of both powder and liquid forms. “Essentially, it lets climbers use liquid chalk on the wall, which traditionally you can’t do,” Conn said. “It bridges that gap and makes the experience better and more convenient.”

Finding His Pitch

Conn entered ROC the Pitch motivated by the opportunity to gain feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and judges. “The biggest motivating factor for me was the feedback I could get,” he said. “There are so many talented individuals who give you great advice when you’re pitching, and that was huge for me.”

Preparing for the competition was a learning process. “There was a lot of uncertainty at first. Scattered ideas and information that I had to pull together. But the biggest step was practicing and feeling comfortable talking about what I know.”

By the time he presented, Conn’s preparation and enthusiasm took over. “I actually get really excited about pitching. It’s a great feeling when people want to hear what you have to say. At first, it was nerve-wracking, but now I find it to be a lot of fun.”

Mentorship and Fisher Support

Conn credits much of his success to the mentorship and resources available through Fisher’s School of Business. “My parents were there, reminding me to stay calm and just talk about what I know,” he said. “And my mentor, Dr. Miles, gave me a ton of reaffirming advice.”

He added that Fisher’s business curriculum and community have made entrepreneurship accessible and exciting. “The Fisher School of Business has made entrepreneurship a much more digestible idea,” Conn said. “It can seem like a really big, unachievable task, but Fisher has many resources that make it attainable. Dr. Miles has a huge network, and Dr. Dan Connolly is doing everything he can to push the entrepreneurship program forward. It’s a very motivating environment.”

Looking Ahead

Conn is now focused on advancing Challkbar's design and preparing for its launch. “Right now, I’m looking for people who can help me finish the design,” he said. “After that, it’s about getting it into climbers’ hands. We’re in the research and development phase, and I’m really excited for what’s next.”

As president of Fisher’s Entrepreneurship Club, Conn also encourages other students to pursue their business ideas. “When I was a freshman, I joined the club with just the idea that I might want to start a business one day,” he said. “Now, I’m the president, and I love seeing new members come in, learn, and participate.”

His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? “Join the Entrepreneurship Club. It’s the best first step.”

This article was written by Ranya Alsalahi, a senior film and television studies major. Alsalahi is an intern in the Office of Marketing and Communications at Fisher for the fall 2025 semester.