IOWA CITY, IOWA (February 21, 2020) — Aaron Silva of Bettendorf, Iowa (52722) was one of 24 students at the University of Iowa who were awarded cash prizes after successfully sharing their idea in two minute or less in four uniquely-focused "IdeaStorm" competitions staged in early February at various locations on the UI campus.
IdeaStorms are entry-level pitch competitions coordinated by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) across the University of Iowa's campus that encourage students to share their innovative ideas with others, all while familiarizing themselves with the pitching process. They encourage UI students to share their new, never-heard-before ideas without the requirements of a business plan or proposal and provide a collaborative environment where students can get feedback and resources on how to make their ideas into a reality. Students share their business idea in two minutes or less with a panel of judges and an audience. The top ideas at each competition will be awarded cash prizes to help take their idea to the next level.
A total of 91 UI students participated where they heard 46 of their peers pitch their creative ideas. The students represented a variety of majors and areas of study making the competition a great example of multidisciplinary innovation across the UI campus. Silva is majoring in Engineering.
The top ideas selected by judges were awarded cash prizes. A People's Choice award selected by students who attended each of the four IdeaStorms was also a prize-winner.
Health Initiatives IdeaStorm (Hosted at Seamans Center)
Students shared ideas that aim to help create a better well-being through health care innovation.
1st Place, $500 | Aaron Silva (Engineering)
Catheter with fiber optics within it that allows for disinfection.
2nd Place, $400 | Anna Fox (Interdepartmental Studies and Pre-Dentistry)
Safer way for mobile dentistry clinics to dispose of biohazardous waste.
3rd Place, $300 | Ian Steinbrech (Enterprise Leadership)
Facetime for people who suffer from depression contemplating suicide.
People's Choice $150 | Keri McKewen (Engineering)
Workout app for people with mobility limitations.
Creative Concepts IdeaStorm (Hosted at Shaeffer Hall)
1st Place, $500 | Stephanie Zullo (Pre-Business)
Lingerie Shapewear.
2nd Place, $400 | Addie Bushnell (English and Creative Writing)
Hawkeye Publishing Press, opportunity for students to publish and sell works in local bookstores.
3rd Place, $300 | Jacob Sobel (Graduate Student, Business Analytics)
Golf Club Customization.
People's Choice $150 | Emma Sherlock (Marketing)
Changeable and removable walker wheels to adapt to different terrain.
Judge's Choice $200 | Mitchell Kabenda (Global Studies)
East African Apparel Line.
Common Good IdeaStorm (Hosted at Gilmore Hall)
Students shared ideas that inspire change through social and sustainable solutions that benefit the common good.
1st Place, $500 | Ethan Bennett (Computer Science)
App encouraging socialization between users by turning talking to each other into a game.
2nd Place, $400 | Anaze Benedict (Psychology)
Online farmer's market featuring locally sourced foods in eco-friendly packaging.
3rd Place, $300 | Erika Law (Management
Food Cents — Educational game for elementary students about nutrition and calories.
4th Place, $200 | Logan Fonken (Management)
Lug-nut stopper.
5th Place, $100 (Tie) | Paris Sissel (Marketing)
Use recycled plastics from the ocean to make furniture.
5th Place, $100 (Tie) | Nicholas May (Pre-Law)
Living Essentials made out of biodegradable bamboo.
Honorable Mention, $50 | Keifer McCaw (Journalism)
App with a timing system to help people wean off of vaping.
People's Choice | Erika Law (Management)
Food Cents — Educational game for elementary students about nutrition and calories.
Consumer Solutions IdeaStorm (Hosted at Pappajohn Business Building)
Students shared ideas that explored solutions to everyday problems through new products or services.
1st Place, $500 | Kristoff Poole (Business)
Proactive Homeless Help.
2nd Place, $400 | Kendall Stark (Mechanical Engineering)
Lift chair device to assist disabled and elderly into lower sitting sedans.
3rd Place, $300 | Katie Westbrook (English and Creative Writing)
Virtual reality weld training simulator to train the basics of welding without the safety hazards and cost.
People's Choice $150 (tie) | Kristoff Poole (Business)
Proactive Homeless Help.
People's Choice, $150 (tie) | Katherine Westbrook (English and Creative Writing)
Virtual reality weld training simulator to train the basics of welding without the safety hazards and cost.
Start Tomorrow Award, $200 | Nate Elsey Williams (Enterprise Leadership)
Trash and recycling pick-up service for high-rise apartment complexes.
Passion Project Award | John Larkin (Exercise Science)
High performance training focusing on physical/mental development for athletes and general public of all ages.
Iowa JPEC is committed to helping students, faculty, staff, and community members launch and grow businesses. To learn more, click HERE.
About the University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is one of the nation's premier public-research universities, dedicated to academic excellence, groundbreaking discoveries and creations, commitment to Iowa and the world, and a culture that prizes community, diversity, and opportunity.
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