Matthew McPherson, a student at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Flemington and an aspiring entrepreneur, won the 2025 Vermont Pitch Challenge, a Shark Tank-like competition for teens, receiving a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Vermont.
The Vermont Pitch Challenge is a competition in which high school students pitch business ideas for the chance to win scholarships and cash prizes by presenting their ventures in a live pitch event at UVM. The competition aims to support young entrepreneurs who are focused on solving real-world challenges through creative, impactful solutions.
McPherson won for his business venture, Boxer Breeze, described as an “eco-friendly underwear brand that combats textile waste by using sustainable materials like bamboo fiber and organic cotton. The business plan also implements a closed-loop recycling system, where customers can return used pairs for discounts on future purchases, promoting sustainability in the fashion industry.”
This year’s competition featured more than 140 teams from 28 U.S. states and 15 countries that submitted business ideas. After extensive evaluations, five finalist teams were invited to present their pitches in person to a panel of judges at UVM on April 3.
“This opportunity has been one of the most life-changing things to ever happen to me,” said McPherson. “Any of the finalists could have won today and to have this feeling of being in first place and being a winner in this amazing competition is something I’ll hold near me forever.”
McPherson will be attending the University of Vermont this fall. The university was founded in 1791 and enrolls about 14,000 students from 50 states and 75 countries.
“We are thrilled to see the entrepreneurial spirit and vision from Matthew,” said Jay Jacobs, UVM vice provost for enrollment management. “His business plan not only addresses the critical issue of textile waste but also demonstrates a scalable and sustainable approach that can make a significant impact on both the fashion industry and the environment.”
