Students brought groundbreaking ideas that spanned technology, sustainability, and social impact to the 2024 Husky Innovate Pitch Competition.
“The competition highlighted the transformative power of innovation,” said Jonathan Leinonen, director of Husky Innovate and an assistant dean and teaching professor in management in the College of Business. “We’re incredibly proud of all the participants.”
The annual idea pitch competition is designed to encourage creativity, entrepreneurship, and community-driven problem-solving. Participants pitch their ideas to a panel of judges and compete for prizes, recognition, and the opportunity to advance their concepts.
Fourteen teams competed for first, second, and third place cash prizes, along with additional awards for social innovation and audience choice.
Judges were Nate Yenor, director of technology business incubation at Michigan Tech; Daniel Yoder, associate regional director, Upper Peninsula Region, for the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC); Jordan Craven, a business consultant with the regional SBDC office hosted at Tech and a former pitch competition winner; Elham Asgari, assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship in the Michigan Tech College of Business; and Rourke Sylvain, a PhD student in biomedical engineering, multiple winner of pitch competitions, and founder of Integrated Molecular Innovations.
And the 2024 Idea Pitch Winners Are …
First Place: Kiran Sapali
- Idea: Portable Vaccine Storage Device
Kiran Sapali, a graduate student in engineering management, secured the top spot with an innovative solution for vaccine storage challenges. His portable device offers a reliable, efficient way to transport and store vaccines, making it particularly impactful for remote and underserved regions. Sapali also earned the Social Impact Award.
Second Place: Adithya Laakso
- Idea: AI-Powered Language Learning App
Adithya Laakso, a second-year major in computational biology, impressed judges with an app designed to revolutionize language learning. By leveraging AI chatbots capable of rich, natural, and engaging conversations with fictional characters, users can immerse themselves in their target language in a fun and creative way.
Third Place: Nila Horner
- Idea: Eco-Friendly Dolls
Nila Horner, a graduate student in humanities, earned third place for her eco-conscious approach to toy design. Her line of sustainable dolls aims to promote environmental awareness and empathy through thoughtful, age-inclusive designs.
Audience Favorite Award: Brenda Chepngeno
- Idea: Concrete Sensing Tech
Brenda Chepngeno, a graduate student in engineering management, earned the award for her groundbreaking non-contact ultrasonic testing system. The technology she presented offered a game-changing approach to monitoring concrete health, improving construction safety and efficiency.
In addition to the Idea Pitch competition, Husky Innovate hosts workshops, guest speakers, and connects entrepreneurs with resources. Visit the Husky Innovate website or email us if you’re interested in being involved as either a student or a presenter with resources to offer.
“We strive to help every student take their ideas into the world,” Leinonen said.
About the College of Business
The Michigan Tech College of Business prepares tomorrow’s business professionals through STEM-infused, AACSB-accredited degree programs and minors. The college offers nine bachelor of science degree programs in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing. We offer master’s degree programs in accounting and analytics, applied natural resource economics, engineering management, and the TechMBA®.
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