AI Operating System for Dentists Takes Top Prize at 2026 Pitch Dingman Competition

Renfort is a passion project for Nithin Skantha Murugan, CMNS MS ’26. His sister is a dentist and was spending lots of time manually entering patient data into her electronic health records. Murugan wanted to help, so working with his sister and a third co-founder, he created an AI operating system for dental clinics that listens to dentists’ conversations with patients and populates all required fields in patient charts. That operating system won the top prize at the 2026 Pitch Dingman Competition.

“This $25,000 is definitely going to help us a lot in terms of getting first customers, incorporating the company and getting through all of the legal hurdles associated with running a business,” said Murugan, who is also Chief AI Officer for another winning startup in Wednesday’s competition DefenX, a school safety system designed to save lives in the event of an active shooter situation.

Murugan took the top prize in the David and Robyn Quattrone Tech Track, targeted at students who have founded scalable, tech or tech-enabled ventures that already have traction like revenue, users, customer interviews, investment and/or grants.

The university-wide competition is in its 11th year, and on April 29, UMD students and alumni entrepreneurs pitched their companies “Shark Tank”-style to a room full of people at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center.

Pitch Dingman is hosted by the Dingman-Lamone Center for Entrepreneurship at the Robert H. Smith School of Business. This year’s winners were selected from a pool of over 130 applicants competing in four tracks to receive thousands of dollars in prize money, venture-development resources and professional coaching. “It’s an annual celebration of what amazing University of Maryland students can do,” said Mike Hoffmeyer, managing director of the center. “It’s also an excellent way for us to showcase our work and why we do it.” 

A Smith alumnus entrepreneur made a surprise announcement during the event that will impact future Pitch Dingman competitions. Lee Wasserman ’89, founder and strategic advisor of LEW Environmental Services, introduced the Wasserman Award for Entrepreneurial Opportunity and Perseverance.

Starting in 2027, $4,000-$5,000 will be given annually to the UMD student entrepreneur who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance and resourcefulness in early-stage venture development. 

“It’s all about the give back and the pay forward,” said Wasserman. “It’s appreciation for the assistance along the way.” Wasserman majored in accounting at the business school and went on to become a CPA, but had a dream of becoming an entrepreneur. A dream he was able to successfully realize, and he wants to help fledgling entrepreneurs do the same.

In addition to the Quattrone Tech Track, this year’s tracks and top winners were:

• WISE Connect, founded by Marie Brodsky ’24 and Kat Close ’23, won the $20,000 grand prize award in the Alumni Tech Track, which supports alumni-founded tech and software ventures with traction of some form, be it early customers, or a developed prototype that is being tested and has less than $100,000 in yearly revenue. The company builds stronger, age-friendly communities by helping senior adults find local services, resources and opportunities that support aging at home.
• Cha Coffee Co, founded by Nazea Khan ’20, MBA ’24, won the $15,000 grand prize in the Alumni Main Street Track, which is for alumni-founded, non-tech small businesses that have revenue and initial customers. Her company is a mobile coffee and beverage cart providing elevated, customizable drink experiences for weddings, company events, and community gatherings.
• Abiara Skin, founded by finance and business management double major, Mathea Abiara, Class of ’28, won the top prize of $15,000 in the Main Street Track. The company creates all natural body care products for women that are made of unrefined ingredients.

The contest featured several judges, who are company founders, investors and entrepreneurs, most of whom are University of Maryland alumni.

The following is a complete list of the winners.

David and Robyn Quattrone Tech Track

• Grand Prize ($25,000): Renfort, Nithan Skantha Murugan, MS ’26
• 2nd Place ($10,000): Command Legacy, Matthew Johnson, EMBA ’26, Jim Hurd, EMBA ’26
• 3rd Place ($5,000): DefenX, Srinidhi Gubba ’26 & Smithi Mahendran ’26

Alumni Tech Track

• Grand Prize ($20,000): WISE Connect, Marie Brodsky ’24 and Kat Close ’23
• 2nd Place ($15,000): Wagabond Pets, Dorian Stephens, MBA ’23

Main Street Track

• Grand Prize ($15,000): Abiara Skin, Mathea Abiara, Class of ’28
• 2nd Place ($8,000): The Finiti, Marina Merchant-Dest ’26
• 3rd Place ($5,000): Build Young Minds, Amadou Wade, Class of ’28

Alumni Main Street Track

• Grand Prize ($15,000): Cha Coffee Co, Nazea Khan ’20, MBA ’24
• 2nd Place ($10,000): Everyday Hair, Tiffany Nicole ’11