Last week, the UTD Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship hosted the 2023 Big Idea Competition. Ten startup teams from across campus came together to compete for cash and scholarship prizes. This year, the teams pitched in front of a panel of experts at the Blackstone LaunchPad with over 100 people in attendance. 

Student Track

(WINNER) Routora – Tom Vazhekatt, BS’24 Computer Science / Erik Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science

Routora is a route planning solution that creates faster and more efficient multi-stop routes by optimally reordering a list of addresses to save you time and money on the road.

(RUNNER UP) Manta Systems – Tamara Marshall, MBA’24 / Naveen Jindal School of Management

Manta Systems is designing the first automated, app-enabled, frozen fish food feeder on the market.

(RUNNER UP) BuildQuota – Xavier Madison, MBA’23 / Naveen Jindal School of Management

BuildQuota is an AI-driven Construction Supplier Diversity Management software focused on simplifying the diversity compliance workflow for all stakeholders on projects, increasing job site productivity, and minimizing the risk of non-compliance.

Olive Tree Therapeutics – Madison Valdivia, BS’23 Biology / School of Behavioral Brain Sciences

The Coupage Vest is a high-frequency, vibrating vest that is strapped firmly around the thoracic cavity of a patient to break up thick mucus in the lungs as a therapeutic modality for various upper respiratory illnesses.

Alumni Track

(WINNER) Creator Camp – Jacky Chao, BA’22 Animation / Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology

Creator Camp is an education technology company that is on a mission to empower children with hands-on creative-tech skills, while also making sure they have a lot of fun. 

(RUNNER UP) Catenate Corp – Sameer Ranjan, MS’20 Business Analytics / Naveen Jindal School of Management

Catenate’s AI-driven platform aids decision-making at every important node of human life. Our products built over this platform can assist school students in choosing the right career, professionals track and improve their soft skills, people manage their well-being and individuals make wealth based on their risk profile. 

(RUNNER UP) EKUSO – Karlin Oei, BS’20 Finance / Naveen Jindal School of Management

Using the innovative EKUSO method, we merge education, gaming, and social-emotional learning to create innovative environments for those who feel left out. Our e-learning provider provides fully customized youth esports training programs for middle and high schools.

Research Commercialization Track

(WINNER) OptiMIND – Chandramallika Basak – Associate Professor, Center for Vital Longevity / School of Behavioral Brain Sciences

OptiMIND is a series of brain training games designed to enhance brain and cognition across the lifespan, ensuring that you stay sharp and focused at any age.

(RUNNER UP) Kile Technology – Stefano Leonardi – Professor,  Mechanical Engineering / Erik Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science

Kile Technology is developing digital twins of wind farms to optimize power production, increase durability and mitigate the risk of investment.

(RUNNER UP) Think! LLC – Joseph Friedman, Associate Professor, NeuroSpinCompute Laboratory  / Erik Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science

Artificial intelligence processing units (AIPUs) that learn efficiently and autonomously.

A big “thank you” to our six expert panelists – Veena Somareddy (MA’14) from NeuroRehab VR, Jillian Levovitz from FemHealth Insights, Jeff Williams (BS’87 ) from Interlock Ventures, Annabel Reeves from Goldman Sachs, George Brody from InfoNet of Things, and Dennis Dayman an entrepreneur and investor- for asking key questions and providing valuable feedback to each team on their ventures.

Specialty awards were also awarded to select ventures.

UTDesign Startup Challenge – Manta Systems, Athlete Reserve, Longshots Disc Golf, Olive Tree Therapeutics

Center for Retail Innovation and Strategy Excellence “RISE” Startup Challenge – Manta Systems

Bass AHT Challenge Award – Belonging Again

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