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After traveling the country last summer with Jake Paul on his creative team for his hygiene brand, W, Max Mattuchio '26 saw an opportunity to create his own brand.

Mattuchio is the owner of Dirty Bastard, a line of cologne-infused laundry detergent sheets.

“I began noticing the massive rise of masculine consumer brands; however, I realized that the laundry detergent industry has remained stagnant,” he said, leading to the creation of the company.

Mattuchio will be one of 73 student-led ventures competing for over $25,000 in capital at the New Venture Expo on campus this Friday.

This year’s event offers the chance at the largest prize pool in the event’s history.

“I hope to win, that is my mentality going into it. I also want to spread awareness about our product and excite young men about doing their laundry,” he said.

The New Venture Expo is a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit and innovation, offering an opportunity for students, alumni and the broader community to engage with the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem at the Sykes College of Business and University of Tampa.

The event marks a milestone in the entrepreneurial journey of both participants and attendees, underlining the University's role in shaping the future of business and entrepreneurship.

Participants include those from the Spartan Incubator, representing community businesses; undergraduate and graduate students from the Spartan Accelerator; Master of Science in Entrepreneurship students; and a selection of other UTampa student entrepreneurs. Attendees can look forward to innovation on display across various sectors, pitch competitions and networking opportunities with business leaders, potential investors and innovators.

Terryl Humphrey is a part of the Spartan Incubator program, and the owner of Failure is Knowledge, a podcast company that helps real estate developers build their brand through��podcasting. He will be showcasing his venture Friday.

“The one thing that I hope to get out of the New Venture Expo is the breakthrough of clarity from my pitch, how it is delivered, and learn the type of connection it is going to make, and/or is making for��others,” he said.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 10, at the John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center. Registration can be done .