On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, student entrepreneurs and a live audience packed into Off the Rails in Worcester for the third annual WooTank Intercollegiate Showdown. Organized by The Venture Forum, a startup community dedicated to fostering economic growth and supporting entrepreneurs across Central MA, WooTank has quickly become a standout event for innovation in the region.
WooTank brings the energy of a Shark Tank-style pitch night to Worcester. Competitors from Clark University, Holy Cross, Nichols College, WPI, Assumption University, and Quinsigamond Community College took the stage to present their ventures to a panel of investor “sharks.” Student teams presented their ideas, fielded questions, and made the case for why their business deserved funding and mentorship.
Holy Cross was well represented, and the night ended with a big win. Andrew Trachimowicz ’27 took home $2,000 for SLYCE, his Rhode Island-based vodka soda brand. Along with the cash award, WooTank offers something just as valuable for early-stage founders: the chance to receive direct feedback from experienced judges and build connections in the regional startup community. As WooTank continues to grow, it’s exciting to see Holy Cross students not only participating, but excelling.
We look forward to seeing how the Holy Cross entrepreneurial community shows up at WooTank and beyond in the year ahead.
Written by Lauren Yee ’28