Transform Participant The Dev Difference Wins TechRise Season 5 Kickoff Pitch Competition

Photo courtesy of TechRise and P33.

Cofounded by Jolene Bernagene, Jovanay Carter, and Moyosore Okeremi, The Dev Difference is an AI-powered mock interview platform that helps job seekers prepare for technical interviews through a combination of technical and behavioral training.

At the TechRise Season 5 kickoff, Bernagene took the stage alongside four other female founders to pitch to a live audience. After the presentations, the judges deliberated and awarded The Dev Difference the top prize

“The TechRise competition was a great experience to be a part of, especially in a cohort of other leading future of work businesses led by female founders,” said Bernagene following the win. “Walking away with this win was such an amazing push of encouragement for our business. We’re excited to start using some of that funding to boost our marketing efforts and get more early career talent personalized interview prep.”

The victory follows another recent milestone for the team, having also taken top honors in the 2024 Social New Venture Challenge.

The company is currently participating in the Polsky Center’s Transform accelerator, which kicked off earlier this year and has played a critical role in shaping its business strategy.

“We have the Transform accelerator to thank in helping us expand our business strategy beyond just student support to now helping employers find the right fit for their companies,” Bernagene added. “All of that training and mentorship really helped us to win TechRise!”

By prioritizing communication skills and structured practice alongside technical assessments, the platform aims to create a more equitable and effective hiring process — particularly for those early in their career.

As they continue to grow, the team is actively seeking new partnerships with employers looking to connect with vetted early-career talent.