4 Winners Revealed for 2025 BNY UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The BNY UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge, an annual competition to promote entrepreneurship that advances solutions with long-term benefits to Southwestern Pennsylvania, has named four winners for the eighth cycle of the competition.

D.A.D. App (Doing it All Day) and Wombs were awarded the grand prize ($75,000) and second prize ($50,000) for the Early-Stage Track, while Parcel Health and DashStrom were awarded the grand prize ($125,000) and second prize ($75,000) for the Advanced-Stage Track.

“UpPrize exemplifies how partnerships like ours with BNY can accelerate innovation that truly serves the community,” said Ven Raju, President and CEO of Innovation Works. “By activating our networks, engaging regional partners, and offering targeted programming, we ensure that the challenge is not just accessible, but truly impactful. We’re proud to help create a platform that connects high-potential social entrepreneurs with the resources they need to scale and bring about meaningful change.”

The D.A.D. App is a mobile platform that supports fathers through personal growth, parenting resources, and community connection. It offers tools for mental health, life skills, job search, and local services, all tailored to the fatherhood experience. With features like an AI check-in coach and curated content, the app helps dads stay balanced, motivated, and supported.

Wombs is a platform transforming maternal healthcare by connecting expecting mothers with traditional and non-traditional providers through a centralized digital hub. Its Digital Doula offers personalized, preventative care while helping providers reduce administrative work and improve access. By integrating pricing transparency, insurance, and Medicaid support, Wombs expands access to high-touch, concierge-level care for a broader population.

Parcel Health delivers innovative pharmaceutical packaging that protects people and the planet. Patented plastic-free solutions, such as the curbside recyclable Tully Tube, combine safety, usability, and elegant design. Inspired by the golden age of pharmacy, the company is leading a new era of sustainable healthcare packaging.

DashStrom is a youth fitness platform that turns screen time into active play, helping kids build confidence, resilience, and a growth mindset through fun, movement-based games. The program equips coaches with engaging, research-backed activities that promote physical and emotional development. DashStrom also offers a turnkey path to start a local children’s fitness business with all necessary training, tools, and support.

The winners will join the UpPrize Masterclass series beginning in January 2026, focused on various aspects of business growth. They will also gain access to Innovation Works’ extensive network of resources, events, and ongoing technical assistance to maximize their social impact throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.

The BNY UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge, administered by Innovation Works and fully funded by BNY, has awarded more than $3.4 million to social innovators since its inception. The challenge continues to serve as a platform for entrepreneurs creating technology that delivers measurable community benefits.

Learn more about the BNY UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge.

About Innovation Works

Innovation Works is one of the most active early-stage investors in the country and the most active in Pennsylvania. Since its inception of the seed fund in 1999, Innovation Works has invested in over 780 companies that have gone on to raise $3.3 billion in follow-on funding. Portfolio companies have generated and retained over 20,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. Innovation Works is part of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners network, which has catalyzed economic growth over the last 30 years by providing access to capital and networks that help foster innovation and technology-based economic development in Pennsylvania. Learn more at innovationworks.org.

About BNY

BNY is a global financial services company that helps make money work for the world – managing it, moving it and keeping it safe. For more than 240 years BNY has partnered alongside clients, putting its expertise and platforms to work to help them achieve their ambitions. Today BNY helps over 90% of Fortune 100 companies and nearly all the top 100 banks globally access the money they need. BNY supports governments in funding local projects and works with over 90% of the top 100 pension plans to safeguard investments for millions of individuals, and so much more. As of September 30, 2025, BNY oversees $57.8 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration and $2.1 trillion in assets under management.

BNY is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Headquartered in New York City, BNY has been named among Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies and Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators. Additional information is available on www.bny.com. Follow on LinkedIn or visit the BNY Newsroom for the latest company news.