Junior in industrial and systems engineering finishes third at SEC Student Pitch Competition

Remember Thomas Lester, creator of the single-use canned beverage capable of heating coffee faster than a Keurig?

Back in March, he teamed with Auburn football linebacker Eugene Asante to take third place at Tiger Cage, the university’s premier student business pitch competition. On Oct. 17, the junior in industrial and systems engineering pitched The Earlybird Co. to win $7,000 and third place at the SEC Student Pitch Competition in Knoxville, Tennessee.

“This result provides a lot of credibility and market validation against some of the best competition I’ve seen,” Lester said. “Every team was legit and brought great business ideas. It’s also awesome to represent Auburn University.”

“I was so grateful to be chosen to represent Auburn University and all those who made it happen, but I knew this was going to be a real test of the business. The competition turned out to be even better than I expected, and every single SEC school sent an incredible team. There is really something special about what is happening in the SEC when it comes to the talented inventors and businesspeople who are emerging.”

Lester’s creation allows premade beverages to be enjoyed anytime, anywhere by a single press of a push-point. It features a user-friendly, side-mounted push point which activates interior heating. Interior temperatures can reach 170 degrees Fahrenheit, while insulation protects users from burning.

Active in the university’s Thomas Walter Center for Technology’s fellowship program, Lester credits Auburn Engineering for his ingenuity.

“Engineering comes with a problem-solving mindset,” he said. “Being involved in the Thomas Walter Center has been an awesome opportunity. This is where a lot of Auburn entrepreneurs have taken a deep dive into product development. Also, some of my professors here introduced me to 3D printing and CAD (computer-aided design), which I used for much of my product prototyping.”

Lester also credited Auburn University’s New Venture Accelerator for helping develop his business and entrepreneurship skills.

“The level of mentorship we receive at the NVA is incredible,” he said. “From the entrepreneurs-in-residence to the director, we can always count on receiving solid business advice. Every time I have a question, whether it’s about manufacturing or companies within the food and beverage space, they are a big help. They provided me with an office, where I can really knock out a lot of work. I do my prototyping and patent research there. Also, I’m surrounded by fellow entrepreneurs and that’s a motivating factor.”

Auburn Engineering is no stranger to success at the SEC Student Pitch Competition. Last October, former electrical and computer engineering student Parvin Fathi-Hafshejani won $2,500 and finished third place in Athens, Georgia. Former mechanical engineering student Zac Young won the SEC Student Pitch Competition in 2020.