In the midst of a highly competitive SEC football schedule, Vanderbilt was also participating in another kind of SEC competition, the SEC Student Pitch Competition at the Haslam College of Business, University of Tennessee Knoxville. The competition provides a showcase for entrepreneurs, pitting student teams representing each of the 16 Southeastern Conference universities against one another in a startup business pitch competition. Students present their innovative business to a panel of judges to determine those most worthy of a funding investment.
The Wond'ry, Vanderbilt's Innovation Center, nominated one of its notable start-ups: Brace Cap to compete this year. Founded by Vanderbilt University second-year Sudiksha Singhal, Brace Cap intends to solve a problem that 75% of patients experience; cuts and abrasions in their mouths and on their lips due to the wires and metal surfaces of “braces”.
The idea for Brace Cap originated during Sudiksha’s freshman year of high school, when she first designed a 3D CAD model to alleviate her own discomfort with braces. Her solution is to cover the problematic surfaces with a soft, proprietary “cap” which is the singular, patented product that orthodontists will use to shield their patients from sharp edges.
By the time she enrolled at Vanderbilt in 2023 as a neuroscience major and data science minor, Sudiksha had already begun refining her concept. Upon discovering the Wond'ry, she joined the Sullivan Family Ideator Program, an experience that catalyzed her entrepreneurial journey. Under the guidance of Kyle Caruso, Program Coordinator for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Sudiksha progressed through the Wond’ry’s Builder Program and ultimately the Founder Program.
Stryker Warren, Associate Director of Venture Development for the Wond’ry’s Founder program and Launch incubator shared, “Sudiksha’s story is an example of Plato’s statement, ‘necessity is the mother of invention’, and her customer discovery validated her assumption that others experienced the same difficulty in speaking, eating, and sleeping. What she also learned was that a high percentage of orthodontia patients drop out of their care plans because of the pain and suffering.”
Brace Cap’s rise has been meteoric. Sudiksha first showcased her idea at the Renaissance Women’s Summit and secured second place at the University of Missouri’s Reigner Pitch Competition before earning a victory at the SEC Student Pitch Competition. “None of this would have been possible without The Wond’ry,” Sudiksha shared. “The resources, mentorship, and programs have been pivotal in refining my customer discovery process, business plan, and presentation skills.”
The SEC competition was fierce, with 16 university teams vying for the top spot. After two rounds of pitches, the final three teams faced a new panel of judges. Vanderbilt’s Director of Entrepreneurship and Biomedical Innovation, Dr. Charleson S. Bell, reflected on the moment: “Sudiksha’s story stood out as both compelling and deeply personal. Her expertise and passion were undeniable, and it’s clear Brace Cap has the potential to transform orthodontic care. As she moves into her final prototyping phase and prepares for FDA submission, I’m confident this victory will serve as a springboard for even greater success.” Sudiksha took first place that day, and won a prize of $10,000 to apply to her venture.
Looking ahead, Vanderbilt will host the SEC Student Pitch Competition in the fall of 2025. With a legacy of success that includes Atmos (Max Mona, 2022 winner) and now Brace Cap, the university’s entrepreneurial momentum continues to grow. Anchor down!
