Pitch for ASL learning platform wins 8th annual Student BisonTank competition

Freshman Levi Wood won the 8th annual Student BisonTank competition on April 17 with his pitch for Signsika, an American Sign Language-learning platform that would invite users to pay for 30-minute conversations with “ASL buddies.” “Learners lack real practice with native signers,” Wood explained during his presentation. He envisions hiring friendly and engaging senior citizens and college students with flexible schedules, so that sessions can happen around the clock. Once Wood establishes this model in the United States, he plans to take it international.

The proposal won over the panel of judges — Lecturer Ritchie Bryant, ’93 (founder of FCBU Media), Ryan Bonheyo, ’14 (owner of Bonheyo Real Estate Services), Daniella Reyna, ’23 (founder of Reyna’s Dog Treats), and Jarrod Musano (CEO of Convo Communications) —  who quizzed all five BisonTank contestants about their business models, asking them about their market research and pricing strategies.

“The main factor that really stood out was Levi’s commanding presence on stage,” says Lorenzo Lewis, ’19, coordinator for Gallaudet’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute (GIEI), which runs BisonTank. “He exuded confidence and kept the audience fully engaged throughout his entire pitch. It was clear that his mentorship session with our pitch coach, Felicia Williams, had a big impact — he applied the feedback effectively and delivered a strong, memorable presentation.”

Preparation is a big part of the BisonTank process, which focuses on helping students shape their ideas into something that they can sell. The goal is to give them the tools, skills, and connections they need to pursue their dreams. As GIEI Director Russell Stein, ’95, announced to attendees at the beginning of the night: “Welcome to BisonTank, Gallaudet’s biggest and boldest celebration of innovation, courage, and community. The room right now is filled with dreamers, doers, and builders.”

Second place winner Kylie Garcia shared her vision for Buff Roast Coffee Shop, a student-run cafe and social hub on campus. In third place was Matthew Brandfield, who pitched Bison Renovators, which would leverage his home repair skills. Tashinalynn Sanders, ’22, has a plan to use what she is learning in her graduate program to help protect people with disabilities during emergencies. And Abdul Samed Sani vowed to “close the gap for Deaf artists” with the Victorious Art Hub, a center to provide artistic training and career opportunities in Zambia.

“This year’s Student BisonTank cohort was, without a doubt, the strongest we’ve had so far,” Lewis says. “I am genuinely excited about the direction this competition is headed. Our accelerator program has played a huge role in helping participants not only sharpen their business models but also build the confidence needed to succeed. I can’t wait to see how these future entrepreneurs grow from here!”