Walsh University sophomore Alisha Khatri, originally from Nepal, earned first place in the 2025 WU LaunchPad Competition for her visionary proposal: a mobile app designed to help international students on F-1 visas manage essential documentation and compliance requirements to avoid unintentional violations that could jeopardize their legal status in the U.S.
Hosted by The Garage: Nolan Family Center for Innovation, the annual LaunchPad Competition was held Wednesday, April 23, in Walsh’s Toot Global Learning Center. Seven student entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to a panel of Walsh alumni judges for a chance to win startup funding. This year’s judges included Nate Bair, a 2019 MBA graduate and current Digital Strategy Lead at Foundation Wellness; Brandyn Neal, a 2020 graduate and Akron Market Leader for Schauer Group; and Matt Strobelt, a 2017 graduate who serves as an Executive Recruiter at Creative Financial Staffing. The panel chose Khatri’s idea for the top prize of $5,000.
The LaunchPad Competition is made possible through the generous contributions of Terry Nolan and the Nolan family, whose support has played a pivotal role in the creation and continued success of The Garage, a space dedicated to innovation, creativity, and student entrepreneurship at Walsh University.
Currently majoring in Data Analytics with minors in Political Science and Economics, Khatri is also a Blouin Scholar and serves in several campus leadership roles. Her app aims to serve international students like herself by offering customized reminders, document management, and alerts to ensure students remain in good standing with their visa requirements.
“In today’s immigration climate, even a small mistake can have life-changing consequences,” Khatri said. “This app will empower students to stay compliant, organized, and informed—especially for those who may not have a strong support system in a new country.”
Judges praised the creativity and courage of all seven student presenters, whose ideas ranged from tech innovations to creative services while Audrey Dornisch, the CEO of the student-run Garage, highlighted the overall talent in this year’s competition and singled out Khatri’s idea for its compelling purpose.
“All of the students brought thoughtful, impressive ideas to the table,” Dornisch said. “Alisha’s idea stood out as a purpose-driven solution grounded in lived experience and practical application. Her innovation has the potential to help thousands of students navigating the same challenges she’s faced.”
Khatri’s passion extends beyond the classroom. She currently interns as a Data Analyst at the Massillon Museum and serves as a content creator for Nepali international students, offering visa preparation workshops and community resources. She is also a Student Ambassador for the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), connecting students to alumni for mentorship and emergency assistance.
Other LaunchPad winners included:
Alex Keller, junior Finance major and Men’s Cross Country athlete, who won second place ($2,500) for Arellek LLC, a business producing 3D printed LED logo signs.
Garrett O’Connell, MBA candidate and graduate assistant, who earned third place ($1,500) for H.O.N.K., a smart car alarm technology.
With seed funding secured, Khatri plans to begin development this summer, with a goal to launch beta testing in early 2026. Long-term, she hopes to expand the app’s reach to include additional visa types, languages, and institutional partnerships—with the help of her team.
“Walsh has helped me turn an idea into action,” Khatri said. “Now, I’m excited to build something that makes a difference.”
