Semi-finalists for Pitch 2017 Selected
9 December 2016 Semi-finalists for Pitch 2017 Selected
Contestants in the Stu Lieblein 90 Pitch Contest are one step closer to making their startup ideas a reality, as 11 students representing seven teams move to the semi-finals. This year, 20 project proposals were submitted to the selection committee, a record number in the history of the entrepreneurial contest. In the coming weeks, the semi-finalists will receive mentorship and guidance refining their ideas through a series of workshops organized by the Centennial Center for Leadership (CCL).
Several ideas are products that need a prototype for testing while others require substantial startup funds that they will apply toward items like leasing a storefront or developing an app, says Associate Director of CCL Amy Forbes.The selection committee had difficult decisions to make but they felt that these seven semi-finalists showed the most potential in terms of overcoming barriers and being able to execute a viable product or service.
The Pitch is an entrepreneurial leadership contest that is designed to bring one idea to life through a $10,000 grant. Students propose, refine and pitch their startup, and are judged by a panel of experts on their creativity and viability in todays marketplace. In recent years, winners have gone on to found a variety of organizations, ranging from a college prep company to an energy-efficient greenhouse initiative.
Its not every day that you have an opportunity to change the world, or to win $10,000 doing it.The Pitch is just one step toward keeping the entrepreneurshipmovement on campus constantly growing, says semi-finalist Dominique DeRubeis 18, who is teaming up with Angel Salas-Espana 18, to pitch an organization that would provide microloans to refugees in Jordan.
The full list of semi-finalists and their proposals include:
Maxim Zibitsker 19 Aqua Salutem Technologies, software to help lifeguards identify drowning victims faster. The system is designed to accurately locate swimmers and quickly alert lifeguards to danger.
William Jasper White 20 Hillside Hydro, a portable hydroelectric generator and power storage system that will that will allow campers to harness natural energy from the outdoors.
Sam Solomon 17 Pizza Del Posto, a farm-to-table pizzeria for downtown Geneva in which all ingredients will be locally sourced, and the pizza cooked in a brick-oven.
Gheorghe Gyuri Dragomir 17 and Ato Bentsi-Enchill 17 Qoopons, a coupon distribution application that uses geo-location to present coupons offered by retailers in confined spaces, such as airports, colleges, college towns, stadiums, concert arenas and city submarkets.
Angel Salas-Espana 18 and Dominique DeRubeis 18 Rabit Microfinance Initiative (RFMI), an organization that would provide microloans to refugees in Jordans Zaatari camp, providing credit to growing business initiatives and empowering individuals to pursue opportunities that also develop their financial literacy and business management experience.
Madison Schmalz 17, Taylor Lopez-Balboa 17 and Natasha Jewett 17 SageRides, a service and ride-sharing app that provides safe and efficient rides for college students.
Carlyle Klein 17 The Wash Wheel, a product that efficiently transfers laundry from the washing machine to the dryer.
The 2017 Stu Lieblein 90 Pitch Contest will be held on Thursday, March 2, 2017 in the Vandervort Room of the Scandling Campus Center.