A Patch for PMS and a Shot at $50K: Empatch Takes on E-Fest

On the latest episode of Coast to Coast, host Lisa Spalla takes us to the heart of collegiate innovation at E-Fest, one of the most prestigious entrepreneurship competitions in the U.S., hosted by the Schultz School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas.

Joining the segment were Danielle Campeau, Dean of the Schultz School, and Isa Madden, a student entrepreneur from the University of Southern California (USC), who introduced us to her groundbreaking product, Empatch.

Empatch: A Natural Solution for PMS Relief

Isa is part of the team behind Empatch, an all-natural PMS relief patch designed to target cramps, fatigue, and mood swings—three of the most common symptoms experienced by menstruators. But Empatch is more than just a product; it’s part of a larger mission.

“We have a great emphasis on period education and empowering women,” Isa shared. “I didn’t want to rely on over-the-counter medication anymore. I wanted something natural—and something cute!”

E-Fest: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity

E-Fest brings together the top 25 undergraduate entrepreneurship teams from across the country for a weekend of intense competition and collaboration. The event features three major competitions:

• Pitch Slam – A fast-paced elevator pitch showdown with a $10,000 prize
• Innovation Challenge – Intercollegiate teams solve surprise problems under a time crunch for $15,000
• Schultz Entrepreneurship Challenge – A traditional pitch competition where five finalists vie for the grand prize of $50,000

“It’s incredibly competitive,” said Danielle. “This year we had over 200 applications from 108 universities and more than 500 students.”

The competition isn’t just about winning—it’s about building confidence, receiving expert feedback, and gaining real-world experience in launching scalable businesses.

What’s Next for Empatch?

When asked what her team would do with the $50,000 prize, Isa had a clear vision:

“We’re in our prototyping phase. We’d hire a chemist and manufacturer to bring the product to life, test efficacy, and kickstart marketing.”

Follow the Journey

Want to see more from E-Fest and the Schultz School of Entrepreneurship?

• Follow E-Fest on Instagram or LinkedIn

• Visit stthomas.edu and search “Schultz” to learn more about the programs available for students across the nation.
• Watch the Coast to Coast Interview with Lisa Spalla, Danielle Campeau, and Isa Madden