Salt Lake City, UT — November 2025 – $50K to LymeAlert
Warrior Rising closed out its 2025 pitch competition season with an unforgettable night at Stand Up for Startups — a celebration of veteran entrepreneurship, innovation, and community.
Hosted at the iconic Eccles Theater, the event brought together 12 military-connected founders who pitched their businesses live for a $50,000 grant prize and the title of Warrior Rising Champion.
This year’s competition featured special guest appearances by Gary Vaynerchuk, who inspired founders with his candid advice on persistence and purpose, and returning headliner Zarna Garg, whose stand-up comedy performance brought laughter and light to the evening. Both guests donated to the Warrior Rising mission, helping empower the next generation of veteran entrepreneurs.
Meet the Champion: Michelle Ewy, Founder of LymeAlert
When Michelle Ewy, founder of LymeAlert, took the stage, her message resonated instantly. LymeAlert is pioneering early-detection technology for Lyme disease, designed to bring faster diagnosis and hope to millions affected by tick-borne illness worldwide.
A veteran entrepreneur with a clear mission and deep technical expertise, Michelle captivated the judges with her pitch — earning her the $50,000 grand prize and national recognition as the 2025 Warrior Rising Champion.
“Thank you Warrior Rising for such a fantastic 3 days! I’m grateful for the education, opportunities, and funding you provide to veteran entrepreneurs! Our competition was tough, and we’re very excited to have had the chance to share what we are building — and have it resonate with so many!” — Michelle Ewy, Founder of LymeAlert
Michelle’s win highlights the power of purpose-driven innovation and the importance of continued support for veteran-owned startups tackling real-world challenges.
Stand Up for Startups was presented by Warrior Rising, with generous support from Wells Fargo and Patriot Mobile, whose ongoing partnerships make events like this possible.
The evening showcased not just competition, but collaboration — a testament to what happens when veterans, mentors, and partners unite to create impact.
About Warrior Rising
Founded in 2015, Warrior Rising is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to transforming veterans into successful entrepreneurs. The organization provides veterans with the tools, mentorship, and resources they need to launch and grow their businesses. Warrior Rising has helped create and fund over 100 veteran-owned businesses, and since inception, has assisted more than 30,000 with is programs, and continues to expand its impact through its innovative Veteran Business Showers. For more information about Warrior Rising and its initiatives, please visit our website at: www.WarriorRising.org and connect with us on Linkedin and check out some amazing stories on our Youtube Channel.
Thank you to our incredible sponsors who made MCON 2025 possible:
Wells Fargo
Patriot Mobile
Amplifying voices and empowering military-connected founders to find their purpose after service.
