Neve Palmeri ’27
Neve Palmeri ’27
Marketing and management double major
BIG EAST Startup Challenge winner
When Neve Palmeri ’27, a marketing and management double major at Providence College, received an assignment in her marketing class to come up with 10 ideas for an entrepreneurship project, she engaged her passion for creative problem-solving.
A personal experience with a relative having her drink spiked while on vacation led Palmeri to develop an idea for a reusable straw that can detect date rape drugs added to drinks. She saw a need and sought to solve it.
Her innovative product, called SmartSip, earned her first place in the 2025 BIG EAST Startup Challenge, a competition featuring student entrepreneurs from 10 colleges and universities. The straw she developed is designed to help prevent sexual assaults by changing color when it detects Rohypnol, GHB, or ketamine, three common date-rape drugs, in a drink.
“Winning the BIG EAST competition is a huge step forward for SmartSip, and I’m excited for what’s next,” said Palmeri, who received $1,500 in prize money to help develop her product. “The challenge was an amazing experience and one that I will never forget. It was a great opportunity to connect with and learn from fellow entrepreneurs.”
Her participation in the BIG EAST Startup Challenge followed her win at the second annual Donald Ryan Incubator Elevator Pitch Challenge held at PC.
She will use the prize money to develop and pilot test her product at PC, working in collaboration with Jay Pike, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry, and chemistry students. Pike provided expertise on the feasibility of her straw concept. Kelly Ramirez, director of the Donald Ryan Incubator for Entrepreneurship in the Arts and Sciences, enlisted the help of the incubator’s advisors and alumni to mentor her.
Palmeri’s achievement underscores the strength of a PC liberal arts education — one that fosters interdisciplinary thinking, collaborative learning, and a vibrant network of professors and alumni who offer meaningful guidance and support.
“I couldn’t have done it without the incredible support from PC’s entrepreneurial community,” Palmeri said. “A special thank you to Kelly Ramirez and the amazing PC alumni who guided me throughout this journey. Their mentorship has been invaluable.”
