Two TU student-led ventures were named recipients of the 2026 Maryland Student Venture Showcase & Pava Innovation Awards, created by the Pava LaPere Legacy of Innovation Act of 2024.
John Gonsalves, founder of Opsify, and Trevor Brake, founder of Event Hopper, each received $50,000 in non-dilutive funding, as well as mentorship and strategic guidance from an advisory board, administered by TEDCO.
This year’s showcase, hosted by UpSurge at the 4MLK building, recognized nine student-founded companies from Maryland colleges and universities that are advancing innovative, market-ready solutions.
Event Hopper by Trevor Brake
Trevor Brake runs the Rosebud Flea, a pop-up vintage market that hosts events from Towson to Newark, Delaware. While organizing those events, he saw firsthand how difficult it can be to manage the logistics. Event Hopper aims to streamline the process with a platform that handles vendor applications and payments and features an interactive booth map.
Opsify by John Gonsalves
Opsify, founded by John Gonsalves, is an all-in-one platform for service-based businesses that helps to turn time-consuming tasks like scheduling, quoting and communication into just a few clicks. Scalable and affordable, Opsify adapts to each business’s needs, delivering powerful tools without the bloat, so owners can focus on growth, not administration.
Both Trevor and John are no strangers to programming at the StarTUp at the Armory. Trevor participated in the 2024 College Cup. In 2026, John won second place in the College Cup, taking home $5,000 to further grow Opsify.
TU’s formula for success
The StarTUp team provided hands-on support throughout the students’ hard work and celebrated their achievements, exemplifying Towson University’s commitment to fostering innovation among student entrepreneurs
Towson University’s ability to, once again, secure two of the nine winning spots in such a competitive showcase is a testament to its entrepreneurial ecosystem. TU’s wins underscore the power of its community, resources and mentorship.
