The InVenture Prize
The 2024 GA Tech InVenture Prize
3/14/2024 | 1h 26m 47sVideo has Closed Captions
The InVenture Prize at Georgia Tech is a live, student innovation competition.
Nicknamed American Idol for Nerds, the Emmy Award-winning GA Tech InVenture Prize is an innovation competition for undergraduates and recent graduates Georgia Tech. Created in 2009 and organized by Georgia Tech faculty, the competition brings together student innovators from all academic backgrounds across campus in an effort to foster creativity, invention, and entrepreneurship.
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The InVenture Prize is a local public television program presented by GPB
The InVenture Prize
The 2024 GA Tech InVenture Prize
3/14/2024 | 1h 26m 47sVideo has Closed Captions
Nicknamed American Idol for Nerds, the Emmy Award-winning GA Tech InVenture Prize is an innovation competition for undergraduates and recent graduates Georgia Tech. Created in 2009 and organized by Georgia Tech faculty, the competition brings together student innovators from all academic backgrounds across campus in an effort to foster creativity, invention, and entrepreneurship.
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How to Watch The InVenture Prize
The InVenture Prize is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>>> THANKS FOR LETTING ME JOIN YOUR UNICORN STRATEGY MEETING, JEFF AND TYLER.
SINCE YOU WON THE VENTURE PRIZE LAST YEAR, I FEEL LIKE I'M WORKING WITH CELEBRITIES.
>> THANK YOU, IT'S AN HONOR.
>> YEAH, WE'RE EXCITED TO BE BRAINSTORMING SOME IDEAS TO TURN SALARIES INTO A UNICORN COMPANY.
>> OKAY, I'LL KICK IT OFF.
THE FIRST STEP IS CLEARLY -- >> I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE NEEDING THOSE.
>> IT'S OKAY.
I BROUGHT SOME FOR EVERYBODY.
>> THANKS.
>> I THINK THE KEY IS FINDING OUR IDEAL CUSTOMER PROFILE.
>> YEAH, AND MAXIMIZING OUR ADDRESSABLE MARKET -- >> UNICORNS LOVE GLITTER.
IT'S THE QUICKEST WAY TO FIND ONE, WHICH IS KEY.
>> WAIT, DID YOU THINK WE WERE ACTUALLY FINDING UNICORNS?
>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A UNICORN COMPANY, A STARTUP THAT REACHES A BILLION DOLLAR VALUATION.
>> OH, YEAH, I TOTALLY KNEW THAT.
UMM, IT'S WHAT MY NOTES SAY.
I FORGOT TO ADD IN THE RAINBOWS!
I KNEW I WAS MISSING SOMETHING.
GUYS!
I GOT THIS.
♪ ♪ >>> LIVE, FROM THE CAMPUS OF THE GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, IT'S THE 2024 GEORGIA TECH VENTURE PRIZE.
WATCH AS GEORGIA TECH'S BEST INNOVATORS COMPETE FOR $35,000 IN PRIZES AND VALUES.
>> I THINK IT'S FABULOUS.
>> PLEASE WELCOME YOUR HOST, FROM CBS SUNDAY MORNING, AND NPR, EMMY WINNER FAITH SAILY!
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> HELLO!
WELCOME TO THE SHOW.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE 16th ANNUAL GEORGIA TECH VENTURE PRIZE.
TONIGHT, WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR SWEET 16.
NORMALLY, WE HAVE $35,000 OF PRIZES TO GIVE OUT TO THE WINNING TEAM, BUT THIS YEAR, ALL OF THAT MONEY WAS SPENT ON BUY THING SHOW A CAR!
IT WAS EITHER A CAR OR A TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERT TICKET, AND THE CAR WAS CHEAPER.
IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THIS LITTLE SHOW IS 16 YEARS OLD.
WHEN I TURNED 16, WE HAD A PARTY, AND I PLAYED TEARS FOR FEARS ON THE BOOM BOX AND WE DANCED IN OUR LEG WARMERS.
IT WAS TOTALLY TUBULAR.
I'M SURE YOUR SWEET 16 WAS EXACTLY THE SAME.
NO?
REGARDLESS OF OUR MINOR AGE DIFFERENCE, ONE THING I KNOW FOR SURE IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A SWEET TIME TONIGHT.
OH, AND SPEAKING OF SWEET, I WAS REALLY EXCITED, BECAUSE RIGHT BEFORE THE SHOW, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS GOING TO BE PIE BACKSTAGE.
BUT WHEN I WENT TO GET SOME, IT WAS JUST THE NUMBER PI PAINTED ON A WALL, AND ANOTHER WALL, AND ANOTHER WALL.
I MEAN, I STILL TRIED TO EAT IT, BUT INSTEAD OF SATISFYING MY SWEET TOOTH, I CHIPPED IT.
IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, I LOVE BEING A PART OF THIS SHOW, AND SEEING THE INCREDIBLE IDEAS AND CREATIONS FROM SOME OF GEORGIA TECH'S BRIGHTEST STUDENTS.
I'M SO HAPPY TO BE BACK, AND ANOTHER PERSON WHO IS BACK IS MY LOVELY CO-HOST, ASHLEY MAYWASSER.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU.
THANKS, FAITH.
THIS MAY BE GETTING OLDER, BUT MY CO-HOST AND I STILL REMAIN THE SAME, AS LONG AS THE PRIZES, AS WELL.
THIS YEAR'S FIRST PLACE TEAM WILL BE AWARDED $20,000 AND WILL RECEIVE AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE INTO GEORGIA TECH'S CREATE STARTUP PROGRAM.
SECOND PLACE IS REWARDED WITH $10,000.
BOTH FIRST AND SECOND PLACE PRIZES ALSO INCLUDE UP TO $20,000 EACH TO ASSIST WITH THEIR PATENTS FILING.
THAT'S SPONSORED BY THE GEORGIA THOSE TWO PRIZES WILL BE DECIDED BY OUR PANEL OF EXPERT JUDGES.
HOWEVER, OUR COMPETITORS ARE ALSO VYING TO WIN TONIGHT'S COVETED PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD.
THAT'S WHERE YOU COME IN.
THERE'S A $5,000 PRICE VOTED ON BY YOU, OUR AUDIENCE, BOTH HERE AT THE FIRST CENTER AND AT HOME.
IT WILL BE ANNOUNCED LIVE AT THE END OF OUR SHOW.
VOTING WON'T OPEN UNTIL ALL OF THE TEAMS HAVE PRESENTED.
AT THAT POINT, YOU CAN VOTE BY TEXTING YOUR TEAM'S KEY WORD, OR VOTE ONLINE.
BUT ONLY ONE VOTE PER DEVICE WILL COUNT, AND DON'T WORRY IF YOU DIDN'T GET THOSE DETAILS, WE'LL REMIND YOU THROUGHOUT THE SHOW.
NOW BACK TO FAITH SO WE CAN MEET OUR JUDGES.
>> THANKS, ASHLEY.
WE ARE HONORED TO BE JOINED BY A PANEL OF THREE ESTEEMED JUDGES.
THE FIRST JUDGE IS A VETERAN OF OUR SHOW, APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR, HE SERVED AS THE CITY OF ATLANTA'S SENIOR TECHNOLOGY ADVISER WHICH HE LEAD ACES.
AS YOU CAN TELL FROM THE SHIRT HE'S WEARING.
HE IS A GEORGIA TECH GRADUATE.
PLEASE WELCOME BACK DONNIE BEAMER.
[ APPLAUSE ] OUR NEXT JUDGE IS THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF PEDIATRIC TECHNOLOGY AT GEORGIA TECH WHERE SHE WORKS WITH CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS TO IDENTIFY UNMET CLINICAL NEEDS AND PROVIDE SOLUTIONS.
SHE'S ALSO PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S ADVISORY NETWORK.
PLEASE HELP ME WELCOME LEEANN WEST.
[ APPLAUSE ] OUR THIRD JUDGE IS CHAIRMAN, CEO, AND FOUNDER OF THE NOVA SOLUTIONS.
A MULTINATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING ORGANIZATION EMPLOYING OVER 50,000 PROFESSIONALS WORLDWIDE.
WITH MORE THAN 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH HAS A MASTERS DEGREE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING FROM GEORGIA TECH.
RAJ SARDANA.
[ APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU.
THANK YOU TO ALL Y'ALL FOR BEING HERE.
AND NOW THAT WE HAVE MET OUR JUDGES, LET'S MEET OUR COMPETITORS.
OUR FIRST TEAM IS READY TO GET CANDID ABOUT WHY THEY SHOULD WIN TONIGHT'S COMPETITION.
♪ ♪ >> HI, I'M RISHI.
>> AND HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A POTHOLE AND DRIVEN OVER IT DAY AFTER DAY.
DID YOU REPORT IT?
WHAT ABOUT A BROKEN STREET LIGHT OR FALLEN TREE?
THESE ARE EXAMPLES OF PROBLEMS WE SEE ALMOST EVERY DAY.
BUT FEW PEOPLE REPORT THEM.
WHY?
>> THE TRUTH IS, THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS.
ONE, IT'S HARD TO KNOW HOW TO EVEN REPORT THE PROBLEM OR WHO TO CONTACT.
SECOND, ONCE YOU EVEN REPORT THE ISSUE, IT'S COMPLICATED, UNTRANSPARENT AND SLOW.
>> WE WANT TO RESTART THE SYSTEM BY REVOLUTIONIZING THE WAY THINGS ARE REPORTED AND MANAGED.
WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, REPORTED STARTED REPORTING INCIDENTS.
WE'RE SEEKING TO SIMPLIFY THE WAY CHANGE IS MADE FOR EVERYONE.
AND WHAT IS A BIGGER MARKET THAN THAT?
>> HERE NOW TO BE OPENED AND HONEST ABOUT THE VALUE OF COMMUNICATION, TEAM CANDOR.
[ APPLAUSE ] >> HI.
YOU'RE DRIVING TO WORK AND THERE IT IS AGAIN.
THAT SAME POTHOLE YOU REPORTED A WEEK AGO.
YOU PULL OUT YOUR PHONE TO CHECK IF ANY UPDATES HAVE BEEN MADE, AND NOTHING.
SO YOU'RE LEFT CONFUSED, WONDERING WHY YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS T GOTTEN BACK TO YOU GET.
WE MET WITH MY HOMETOWN'S COMMISSIONER AND WHAT HE SAID MAKES SENSE.
MY HOMETOWN GETS OVER 200 ISSUES EVERY WEEK, AND A SINGLE STAFF MEMBER IS TASKED WITH MANAGING ALL OF IT.
SHE ROUTES ISSUES TO THE RIGHT DEPARTMENT AND TRYING TO COLLECT INSIGHT, ALL WHILE SHE WAS FLOODED WITH 50 DIFFERENT E-MAILS ABOUT A PIPE THAT BURST IN THE AREA.
>> SO -- >> SO HERE'S HOW THEY DO IT, RIGHT?
THEY HAVE LONG, COMPLICATED FORMS AND ALL THE WORK BOILS INTO THESE SPREAD SHEETS THAT LOOK LIKE THIS.
AND WE SPOKE WITH A TON OF DIFFERENT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AROUND THE AREA, AND THEY HAVE A VERY SIMILAR PROCESS.
COLOR CODING, SPREAD SHEETS AND EMAIL FORMS.
AND THIS IS HOW THEY DO IT.
>> MY NAME IS STREAKER.
WE'RE LOOKING TO SAVE TIME FOR GOVERNMENTS WHILE BUILDING AN IMPORTANT ISSUE REPORTING PROCESS FOR CONSTITUENTS.
>> HERE'S HOW WE DO IT.
AT CANDOR, OUR MODELS INTEGRATE WITH YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S EXISTING FORM OF COMMUNICATION, WHETHER TEXT, EMAIL OR THE WEB.
TO REPORT AN ISSUE, INSTEAD OF FILLING OUT A LONG FORM, SEND A PICTURE OR A SHORT DESCRIPTION, AND THE MODEL EXTRACTS THE NECESSARY INFORMATION BEFORE ASKING YOU FOR ANY FOLLOW UPS.
THEN THE SPAM IS ISSUED AND ALL THE RELEVANT DETAILS ARE COMBINED, SO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE PRESENTED WITH A CLEAN DASH BOARD VIEW OF ALL THEIR CUSTOM WORK FLOWS AND THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOLS, JUST ONE CLICK.
SO NOW IF A LOCAL GOVERNMENT RECEIVES 50 DIFFERENT COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME POTHOLE, THEY DON'T HAVE TO ADDRESS EACH INDIVIDUALLY.
THEY JUST RESPOND TO ONE, AND EVERYONE IS NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY.
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS LOVE THIS.
WE LAUNCHED IN THREE CONSTITUENCIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, SERVING 120,000 PEOPLE.
WHEN WE LAUNCHED, IN JUST FIVE DAYS PEOPLE REPORTED 836 ISSUES.
PEOPLE LOVE THE SIMPLICITY.
THAT'S MORE ISSUES THAN WERE REPORTED IN THE ENTIRE MONTH BEFORE.
WHEN WE SIGNED THE CONTRACT WITH DISTRICT THREE RIGHT HERE IN ATLANTA TO DO A PILOT, THEY TOLD US THAT THEIR TIME SPENT MANAGING ISSUES WENT DOWN FROM 15 HOURS TO JUST TWO.
SAVING THEM $35,000 ANNUALLY IN JUST STAFF TIME.
>> WHILE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE A FOCUS, THIS IS JUST A PART OF THE MARKET.
SCHOOL BOARDS AND HOAs HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE REACHED OUT TO US ASKING TO USE CANDOR.
LAST WEEK, WE LAUNCHED A PAID PILOT WITH AN HOA IN MIAMI THAT SERVED 150 HOMES PRICED AT $6,000 ANNUALLY.
CANDOR SAVES TIME, MONEY AND FOSTERS CHOICE FOR THE ELECTED ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE U.S.
SO JOIN US AND LET'S SIMPLIFY CHANGE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
AND THAT'S YOUR TIME.
NICE TEAM WORK THERE, Y'ALL.
NOW IT'S TIME FOR TEAM CANDOR TO BANTER WITH OUR JUDGES.
DO YOU WANT TO START OUT, DONNIE?
>> SURE.
AS A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL ON THE PANEL, I GUESS IT MAKES SENSE.
AND YOU HAD TO BRING UP POTHOLES.
I WILL SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE GENERALLY DO GET FEEDBACK, SO I NEED TO MAKE A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW ABOUT ATL-311.
YOU CAN CALL 311 AND TALK TO A REAL PERSON ABOUT THE POTHOLE OR USE THE MOBILE APP.
SO WE, YOU KNOW, MAY NOT GET TO THE POTHOLE AS FAST AS YOU WANT, AND THAT'S SOME OF THE PROBLEM.
EVEN IF WE DO 30 POTHOLES A DAY, ABOUT WHERE WE ARE TRENDING, IF WE DON'T DO YOUR POTHOLE, THAT'S STILL A PROBLEM.
IS THERE ANYTHING AROUND HELPING US GET TO THE RIGHT ONES FASTER?
LIKE YOU SAID, THERE'S 50 THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
HOW DO WE PRIORITIZE AND IS THAT PART OF YOUR OFFER?
>> JUST TO START, THE 311 SYSTEM IS GREAT, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF SMALLER GOVERNMENTS ACROSS THE NATION THAT DON'T HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE OR MONEY TO BUILD OUT THEIR OWN 311 SYSTEMS.
SO THEY RELY ON JUST SPREAD SHEETS, EMAILS, COLOR CODING AS WE MENTIONED.
AND THEN THERE ARE, LIKE, DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 311 AND US.
WE SEEK TO PRIORITIZE ISSUES BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT POST THEM AND DUPLICATE NEWER TEACHERS WITH AI THAT HAVE TAKEN CARE OF BUSINESSES AND INCORPORATE THAT SAME TECHNOLOGY IN GOVERNMENT TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS.
>> ONE ADVANTAGE IS THAT ALL THE ISSUES COME IN THE SAME FORMAT, BECAUSE WE PREPROCESS THEM.
SO WE'RE WORKING WITH THE CONSTITUENCIES WE WORKED WITH TO HELP THEM PRIORITIZE AND DEAL WITH THIS DATA IN A BETTER WAY.
>> WHAT IS A GISU.
>> IT'S LIKE A MAPPING TOOL TO SEE WHERE THE ISSUES ARE EXACTLY, AND HELP LIKE SOLVE THEM QUICKER, I GUESS.
>> AND DOES IT AUTOMATICALLY PICK WHERE YOU ARE ON THE MAP WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR PICTURE SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO ENTER ANYTHING?
>> YEAH.
FROM THE META DATA, MOST PICTURES HAVE THAT.
BUT IF IT DOESN'T HAVE THAT FOR SOME REASON, THE CHAT ASKS YOU TO CLARIFY THE LOCATION BEFORE IT GETS THERE.
>> SO DO YOU HAVE A COMMERCIAL MODEL?
HOW DO YOU CHARGE FOR YOUR SERVICES?
>> YEAH.
I CAN TAKE THIS ONE.
SO FOR GOVERNMENTS, WE'RE CHARGING $12,000 ANNUALLY.
THAT'S JUST A FIXED COST.
THERE'S A LOT TO LEARN WITH COMPLIANCE AND REGULATION, AND WE JUST WANT TO GET OUR PRODUCT IN THE HANDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
USUALLY, THERE'S SOME COMPETITORS THAT CHARGE UPWARDS OF $100,000.
FOR HOAs, WE'RE STICKING TO $6,000 ANNUALLY.
THAT JUST DEPENDS ON -- THAT'SEN AVERAGE, BUT IT DEPENDS ON BIG THE HOA IS.
>> HOA, HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION?
>> YES.
>> WHAT IS THE BASELINE TECHNOLOGY THAT YOU USE?
ARE YOU USING THE -- YOU KNOW, THE CRMs, LIKE SALESFORCE OR ANYTHING ELSE AND THEN CUSTOMIZE IT FOR THE GOVERNMENT?
>> YEAH.
SO CURRENTLY WHAT WE HAVE BUILT IS JUST BASICALLY THE AI TOOLING THAT ALLOWS FOR THE ISSUE INTAKE AND FOR THE ISSUE, LIKE MANAGEMENT AND THE DUPLICATION AND SUCH TO BE EASY.
WE BUILT OUT A VARIOUS LIGHTWEIGHT VERSION OH OF THAT DASH BOARD.
THE GOVERNMENTS THAT WE TALKED TO DIDN'T HAVE THEIR OWN SALESFORCE OR A MANAGEMENT TOOL.
WE'VE BEEN IN TALKS WITH A COUPLE OTHER GOVERNMENTS THAT USE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
SO WE CAN JUST USE OUR AI MODEL AS A LAYER IN BETWEEN THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND THEIR WHATEVER PLATFORM THEY USE.
>> SO WE'VE GOT ABOUT 45 SECONDS LEFT FOR A QUESTION.
>> I WAS GOING TO ASK, ME AS SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT BE WANTING TO REPORT A POTHOLE, DO YOU HAVE AN APP THAT I WOULD USE OR AM I TEXTING IT TO A NUMBER AND I JUST NEED TO KNOW THAT?
>> YEAH.
SO ONE THING WE DO, ANY PROCESS YOU'RE USED TO IN THE GOVERNMENT, WE TAKE CARE OF THOSE.
SO SMS, EMAIL, PHONE CALL, WE TREAT IT WITH ALL OF THOSE.
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD CANDOR RIGHT NOW FROM THE APP STORE AND REPORT ANY ISSUE.
>> DO YOU HAVE CUSTOMERS?
>> YES, WE DO.
>> DO YOU HAVE REVENUE?
>> YES.
SO WE'RE GETTING $6,000 A YEAR FROM OUR H OH, -- HOA IN MIAMI.
AND WE SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH DISTRICT THREE.
THAT'S CURRENTLY IN ITS FIRST PHASE SO WE HAVEN'T GAPED ANY MONEY.
BUT IF WE REACH OUR METRICS, WE'RE LOOKING AT $12,000 A YEAR.
>> THAT'S YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, TEAM CANDOR.
[ APPLAUSE ] AND NOW ASHLEY IS STANDING BY WITH SOMEONE READY TO STAND BY WHY THEY ARE A FANDOR OF CANDOR.
>> CAN I BE FRANK?
LIFE COMES WITH ISSUES AND WHEN WE NEED TO SORT THEM OUT, WE NEED TO GO TO A HIGHER POWER.
WHO IS THAT?
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
D.J.
TERRY IS A DISTRICT THREE COUNCILMAN.
HOW IS CANDOR CONTRIBUTING TO YOUR COUNCILMEN'S MISSION TO BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES?
>> CANDOR IS A REVOLUTIONARY PLATFORM THAT WE LAUNCHED ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO.
SO CANDOR IS LITERALLY GOING TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS FOR US COMMUNICATING WITH CONSTITUENTS.
WE WILL LAUNCH THIS FULL DISTRICT WIDE NEXT WEEK AT OUR TOWN HALL.
CONSTITUENTS AND NEIGHBORS LOVE IT, AND WE LOVE IT.
>> HAPPY NEIGHBORS MEANS HAPPY NEIGHBORS FOR US.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS INTERVIEW.
THANK YOU.
TO REPORT CANDOR FOR THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD, TEXT CANDOR TO THE NUMBER.
>> THANKS, ASHLEY.
THE NEXT TEAM HAS DEVELOPED A PRODUCT WITH A MESSAGE THAT I THINK WE CAN ALL GET BEHIND.
THAT WOMEN'S HEALTH MATTERS.
PERIOD.
>> HI, WITH MY CO-FOUNDERS, WE HAVE CREATED OUR STARTUP LILY PAD HELP.
CURRENTLY IN THE U.S., 10 MILLION WOMEN DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A GYNECOLOGIST OR ROUTINE BLOOD TEST.
THIS LACK OF ACCESS HAS LEFT MILLIONS OF WOMEN WITHOUT BEING SCREENED FOR DISEASES.
NOT ONLY IS ACCESSIBILITY AN ISSUE, BUT INVASIVE PROCEDURES ARE AN ISSUE.
PELVIC EXAMS AND PAP SMEARS ARE GOLD STANDARDS FOR TESTING FOR DIFFERENT DISEASES.
HOWEVER, WOMEN REPORTED THEM TO BE VERY INVASIVE.
THAT'S WHERE WE COME IN.
WINNING THE INVENTURE PRIZE WOULD CONTINUE TO BREAK DOWN THESE BARRIERS AND FILE OUR PATENT, WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO REACH EVEN MORE PEOPLE.
WE KNOW THAT WOMEN WANT A NEW SOLUTION TO THEIR ISSUES AND WE'RE READY TO PROVIDE THAT.
>> HERE TO DISRUPT THE STATUS FLOW OF THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY, TEAM LILY PAD HEALTH.
[ APPLAUSE ] >> I'M ETHAN.
>> WE'RE LILY PAD HEALTH.
SYRINGES,STER RUNS AND SPECULUMS, THESE ARE THE TOOLS BEING USED IN WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE AROUND THE WORLD AND HAVE BEEN FOR 200 YEARS.
WHILE AI AND SELF-DRIVING CARS HAVE BECOME NORMALIZED IN OUR SOCIETY, THE FIELD OF WOMEN'S HEALTH IS STUCK IN THE PAST.
RELYING ON OUTDATED TOOLS LIKE THESE.
A NEW SOLUTION IS NEEDED TO BRING WOMEN'S HEALTH INTO THE MODERN ERA AND ENSURE PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE HELP THEY DESERVE.
AT LILY PAD HEALTH, WE DEVELOPED A NOVEL WAY TO MONITOR YOUR HEALTH IN A SIMPLE AND NONINVASIVE MANNER.
RATHER THAN DRAWING FLOOD FROM YOUR ARM OR A PAP TEST, THE LILY PAD EXTRACTS CRUCIAL INFORMATION FROM A SOURCE THAT HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED AND CONSIDERED WASTE FOR CENTURIES, MENSTRUAL BLOOD.
THE LILY PAD IS THE FIRST DEVICE TO INTEGRATE WITH THE MENSTRUAL PAD AND ABLE YOU TO MEASURE FERTILITY HORMONES, STDs AND PRECANCEROUS BIOMARKERS.
WE DESIGNED THE LILY PAD TO MAXIMIZE USER COMFORT, WHILE ALSO PRESERVING THE COLLECTED SAMPLE.
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS.
AFTER YOU RECEIVED YOUR LILY PAD KIT, REMOVE THE DEVICE FROM THE PACKAGING AND APPLY TO YOUR MENSTRUAL PAD OF CHOICE AND GO ABOUT YOUR DAY.
REMOVE THE COLLECTION STRIP AND PLACE IT INTO OUR PRIMARY RECEP TICKLE AND USE THE PREPAID SHIPPING LABEL TO SEND IT TO A LAB.
YOUR RESULTS WILL BE SENT TO YOUR PERSONAL MOBILE DEVICE.
>> WE REALIZED WE CAN'T JUST TEST FOR DISEASES AND LEAVE THE USERS WITH RESULTS.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE BUILDING OUT OUR PLATFORM TO CONTAIN MORE INFORMATION ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.
SO AFTER YOU RECEIVE YOUR RESULTS, YOU CAN SCHEDULE A FOLLOW UP CALL.
SO FAR, OUR TEAM HAS RAISED OVER $130,000 FROM BOTH AWARDS AND PRIVATE INVESTMENTS.
WE WERE SELECTED FOR THE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM WHERE OUR TEAM WILL HAVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND MENTORS AT THE NIH TO BRING OUR DEVICE TO MARKET.
OUR TEAM HAS PRESENTED THIS TECHNOLOGY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND EVERYWHERE WE GO, WE'RE APPROACHED BY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BUY THIS KIT NOW.
THE SAME RESPONSE WAS SEEN IN AN NIH SURVEY.
OUT OF 5,000 WOMEN, 87% SAID THEY WOULD PREFER A MENSTRUAL BLOOD TEST OVER THE TRADITIONAL PAP TEST.
WINNING THE INVENTURE PRIZE WOULD HELP OUR TEAM AS WE FILE OUR NONPROVISIONAL PATENT, FINALIZE A REGULATORY PATHWAY AND BEGIN CLINICAL TRIALS ACROSS ATLANTA.
JOIN US ON OUR MISSION TO EMPOWER USERS, REDEFINE MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY TO TESTING, ONE DROP AT A TIME.
>> NICE DROB.
I'M SURE OUR JUDGES ARE READY TO CYCLE THROUGH A FEW QUESTIONS.
LEEANN, DO YOU WANT TO TAKE IT AWAY?
>> SURE.
SO AS A FEMALE, I GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT YOU ARE DOING THIS, 100% IT IS BETTER THAN WHAT WE GO THROUGH GENERALLY.
SO I WANTED TO KNOW, ARE YOU ALL WORKING WITH A PARTICULAR LAB TO TEST THE BLOOD, AND HOW DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SCALE WITH MAYBE HOW OFTEN THIS MIGHT BE USED INSTEAD OF THE TRADITIONAL METHODS?
>> RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN TALKS WITH QUEST DIAGNOSTICS, ONE OF THE LARGEST LABORATORY SERVICES IN THE U.S. AND SO WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM TO POSSIBLY EXPAND TO AN LDT, WHICH WOULD BE A LAB TEST.
SO QUEST HAS A GREAT SPAN OVER THE U.S.
SO THIS WOULD HELP BRING OUR DEVICE INTO THE HANDS OF CUSTOMERS.
>> ARE THESE STANDARD TESTS, OR THESE ARE SPECIALIZED TESTS THAT YOU CREATED?
BECAUSE THE SPECIMENS ARE DIFFERENT.
>> YEAH.
SO THE ACTUAL TESTING PROCEDURES ARE ALL THE SAME STANDARD PROCEDURES THAT YOU WOULD DO FOR TESTING LIKE DISEASES LIKE HPV AND OTHER STDs IN THE LAB.
THAT'S WHAT IS SO GREAT ABOUT OUR PRODUCT.
WE'RE NOT TRYING TO REINVENT THE WHEEL IN TERMS OF TESTING MECHANISMS.
WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY, WE JUST NEED TO APPLY IT IN THIS FIELD THAT HAS BEEN UNDERUTILIZED.
>> I SEE.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SOFTWARE APPLICATION TO MANAGE ALL THIS PROCESS?
>> YEAH.
SO RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE IT FULLY DEVELOPED, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON, BOTH OF A WEB PLATFORM AND MOBILE APP THAT WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO STREAMLINE THIS IN FACT AND GET IN CONTACT WITH CARE PROVIDERS.
>> WHAT IS THE CURRENT TESTING FREQUENCY AND COST OF THE TEST YOU'LL PROVIDE?
I FEEL LIKE IF YOU MAKE THIS SO EASY THAT YOU COULD DO IT EVERY MONTH, YOU COULD JUST DO IT SO MUCH THROUGH QUEST THAT YOU MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.
>> I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT IT.
EASY ACCESS TO ROUTINE TESTING.
IF SOMETHING IN YOUR LIFE CHANGES, YOU HAVE ACCESS TO SOMETHING THAT'S SIMPLE AND ORDER IT TO YOUR HOUSE.
TO DATE RIGHT NOW, THERE'S AROUND 26 MILLION PAP TESTS PERFORMED ANNUALLY.
BUT THAT'S REALLY JUST LOOKING FOR CERVICAL CANCER AND HPV.
WE'RE GOING TO EXPAND FURTHER OUT AND LOOK INTO FERTILITY HORMONES, AS WELL AS OTHER DISEASES LIKE GONORRHEA.
SO YOU CAN TEST FOR THOSE MORE ROUTINELY LIKE YOU WERE SAYING.
>> AND ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT TRYING TO MAKE THIS WORK WITH SAY TAMPONS OR OTHER FEMININE PRODUCTS?
>> YEAH.
SO WE DEFINITELY -- INITIALLY WE CHOSE THE PAD BECAUSE IT IS DEFINITELY THE MOST ACCESSIBLE, WHETHER IT'S DUE TO CULTURAL STIGMA NOT WANTING TO USE TAMPONS.
PADS ARE MORE USED AND WE'RE ABLE TO COLLECT THE SAMPLE USING IT.
WE WOULD LOVE TO CREATE TAMPONS ONE DAY, BUT FOR EVEN LIKE MENSTRUAL CUP USERS CAN STILL USE OUR PADS.
WE ALSO HAVE A PLAN OF POSSIBLY DISTRIBUTING ALONGSIDE PAD MANUFACTURERS, SO THAT COULD INCLUDE THOSE THAT MANUFACTURE TAMPONS, INCLUDING ONE OF OUR KITS OR PADS WITHIN THEIR OWN PADS, AS WELL.
>> COULD YOU TEST ANYTHING FROM JUST LIKE BLOOD ON A BAND-AID, OR IS THIS ALL FEMININE RELATED TESTS?
>> YEAH, I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE EXCITING THINGS.
WE'RE GOING INTO THE FIELD OF GYNECOLOGY FIRST, BUT SIT A BLOOD TEST.
MENSTRUAL BLOOD IS BLOOD.
SO YOU CAN TEST FOR THINGS LIKE H BA.1-C WHERE YOU MEASURE YOUR BLOOD SUGAR.
SO IT'S BEEN PROVEN TO BE ABLE TO TEST FOR THINGS THAT YOU WOULD TEST FOR IN REGULAR BLOOD.
>> DO YOU HAVE A GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGY?
>> ONE OF OUR GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGIES IS DIRECT TO CONSUMER.
SO YOU CAN ORDER FROM OUR WEBSITE, BUT WE HAVE A B-TO-B-TO-C PRODUCT, SO WE CAN INCLUDE A LILY PAD IN THE BOX OF PADS ALREADY.
>> WHAT IS B-TO-B-TO-BC MEAN?
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS TO CUSTOMER.
>> HOW MUCH DO THE TESTS COST AGAIN?
>> RIGHT NOW, WE'RE BASICALLY PLANNING ON PRICING IT AT AROUND $50.
THAT'S SIMILARLY PRICED TO OTHER KITS SOLD ONLINE, AS WELL.
BUT WE DO, OF COURSE, WE WANT TO MAKE THIS A VERY AFFORDABLE SOLUTION FOR PEOPLE THAT ALSO DON'T HAVE ACCESSIBILITY TO -- >> SORRY, THAT'S YOUR TIME.
SORRY TO STOP THE FLOW.
IT'S NOW THAT TIME OF THE SHOW TO CHECK IN WITH ASHLEY.
>> YEAH, FAITH.
TELEVISION NEWS, THERE'S AN EXPRESSION, IF IT BLEEDS IT LEADS.
MY GUEST IS A GT BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PROFESSOR WHO KNOWS A LOT ABOUT PERIOD PRODUCTS.
PROFESSOR WENDY, BASED ON YOUR PROFESSIONAL PAST LIFE, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE IMPACT OF LILY PAD?
>> I STARTED MY CAREER WORKING ON FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.
THIS TEAM HAS DONE SOMETHING SO CLEVER BY HARNESSING THAT BLOOD FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS.
I CAN IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE A WOMAN EVERY 28 DAYS GETS ALL THE INFORMATION SHE NEEDS ABOUT HER BODY, AND SHE NEVER HAS TO TAKE ANOTHER BLOOD TEST.
>> SO LONG, STIRRUPS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> WE CAN'T PAD THE VOTE TODAY, BUT TO ENSURE THE VOTE, TEXT KEY WORD HEALTH WHEN VOTING.
FAITH?
>> OH, ASHLEY.
YOU'RE BLOODY FUNNY.
THE SIX FINALISTS COMPETING TONIGHT HAVE HAD QUITE THE JOURNEY TO MAKE IT TO THIS MOMENT.
TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE MORE INSIGHT ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE IT TO THE FINALS.
LET'S SEE WHAT OUR COMPETITORS HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS PAST YEAR WITH THE ROAD TO THE INVENTURE PRIZE.
♪ ♪ >> FOR FROM MORE THAN 50 TEAMS -- >> HELLO.
>> WE ARE TEAM CARS FOR KIDS.
>> OUR PROJECT IS REALLY COOL.
>> DOWN TO THE SIX FINALISTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATED THE ROAD TO THE INVENTURE PRIZE.
>> LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION.
>> THE JOURNEY FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS BEGAN LAST SEPTEMBER WITH A KICKOFF EVENT.
>> WELCOME.
>> INTENDED TO LET STUDENTS NETWORK AND JUMP START THEIR IDEAS.
RECEIVING A FEW WORDS OF WISDOM FROM FORMER FINALISTS.
>> ALWAYS STRIVE TO GO OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE.
>> HOW DID YOU STAND OUT FROM YOUR COMPETITORS?
>> REAL INTERACTION WITH THE REAL WORLD.
THAT'S WHAT SET PEOPLE APART.
>> MEANWHILE, STUDENTS ACROSS CAMPUS WERE PREPARING FOR GEORGIA TECH'S CAPSTONE DESIGN EXPO, WHERE JUDGES WERE TAKING NOTE OF THE ACTION.
INVITING SELECTEES TO SKIP THE PRELIMS BY HANDING OUT GOLDEN TICKETS.
>> YOU GUYS ARE GETTING A GOLDEN TICKET.
>> AT THE PRELIMINARY ROUND, STUDENTS DID THEIR BEST TO STAND OUT IN A CROWDED FIELD.
>> YOU CAN IMPACT THE LIVES OF CHILDREN NATIONWIDE.
>> WE WANT TO BE THE MIDDLEMAN FOR THE LITTLE MAN.
>> I THINK IT'S FABULOUS.
>> THOSE INVITED TO CONTINUE WERE OFFERED A WORKSHOP WHERE THEY COULD CRAFT AND PERFECT THEIR PITCH.
WHILE GETTING FEEDBACK FROM INVENTURE PRIZE MENTORS.
>> YOU WANT THE AUDIENCE TO SUPPORT YOU.
YOU WANT PEOPLE TO JOIN YOUR TEAM.
>> YOU HAVE TO GET AWAY FROM YOUR THOUGHTS.
WHAT IS YOUR INVENTION?
>> THE INTENSITY INCREASED AT THE SEMIFINALS.
WHERE CREATIVITY WAS KEY.
>> THESE ARE ALL THINGS WE'RE IT -- ITERATING ON.
>> SIX TEAMS TRIUMPHED, CHOSEN AS FINALISTS AND INVITED TO COMPETE IN TONIGHT'S FINAL ROUND LIVE ON TELEVISION.
NOW, ONLY ONE QUESTION REMAINS -- WHO WILL WIN THE 2024 GEORGIA TECH INVENTURE PRIZE?
>> OUR NEXT TEAM IS READY TO START A NEW CHAPTER IN GREEK LIFE.
I GIVE YOU TEAM GREEK CONNECT.
>> I'M MATTHEW.
>> I'M NOAH.
>> AND WE ARE TEAM GREEK CONNECT.
>> WE'RE FRATERNITY BROTHERS HERE AT GEORGIA TECH.
BEING A PART OF A FRATERNITY AND GREEK ORGANIZATION MEANS WE HAVE CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS WE HAVE TO MEET.
WE TRACK ALL THESE AS POINTS.
>> TO BE IN GOOD STANDING, MEMBERS HAD TO GET THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF POINTS.
AS A RESULT, WE GET OVERWHELMED WITH DOZENS OF EMAILS REQUESTING UPDATES ON THE POINTS STATUS.
ORIGINALLY, WE JUST CREATED TO SOLVE A PROBLEM IN OUR OWN FRATERNITY.
BUT WE SAW THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS ALMOST UNIVERSAL.
>> WE KNEW WE WERE ONTO SOMETHING WHEN FRATERNITIES REACHED OUT TO US BEFORE WE EVEN HAD A LANDING PAGE FOR THE SOFTWARE.
WE HOPE TO BRING GREEK CORRECT TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND ALLOW MEMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THEY STAND ON THEIR POINTS THROUGH OUR APP.
>> OKAY.
HERE TO PROVE WHY THIS IDEA IS READY TO RUSH TO MARKET, GREEK CONNECT.
>> HI, MY NAME IS MATTHEW PINTO.
THIS IS MY BUSINESS PARTNER NOAH PIERCE.
WE'VE BEEN IN THAT CLASS WHERE YOU'RE NEARING THE END OF A SEMESTER AND NO GRADES HAVE BEEN PUT IN YET.
YOU'RE NOT SURE WHERE YOU STAND OR HOW YOU'VE BEEN PERFORMING.
FUNNY ENOUGH, SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR HAPPENS IN GREEK LIFE.
THERE ARE MANDATORY POINTS, WHETHER ATTENDING EVENTS OR COMPLETING SERVICE HOURS THAT ARE LIKE GRADES.
WITH POINTS, IF YOU DON'T GET ENOUGH OF THEM, THERE CAN BE CONSEQUENCES.
YOU CAN BE FINED, YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO LIVE IN YOUR ORGANIZATION'S HOUSE OR YOU MIGHT BE ASKED TO LEAVE YOUR FRATERNITY.
WITHIN OUR OWN FRATERNITY, WE HAD PROBLEMS OF POINTS.
BROTHERS WOULD SEND HUNDREDS OF EMAILS TO SEE IF THEY HAD MET THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF POINTS.
THIS TOOK HOURS EACH WEEK TO TRACK AND THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY WAS FRUSTRATING TO EVERYONE INVOLVED.
WE DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, AND THAT IS WHERE GREEK CONNECT WAS BORN.
THIS IS AN APP THAT STREAMLINES CHAPTER MANAGEMENT AND ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM OF TRACKING POINTS.
ALL USERS ARE ABLE TO EASILY REQUEST POINTS, WHETHER IT'S ATTENDING AN EVENT OR FILLING OUT A FORM.
ALL LEADERS AND ADMINS ARE ABLE TO APPROVE AND MANAGE THESE POINTS AND WE MAKE IT EXTREMELY TRANSPARENT WHERE EVERYONE STANDS.
SO WHILE WE'VE BEEN IN DEVELOPMENT, BEFORE WE HAD OUR LANDING PAGE OUT, TWO ORGANIZATIONS REACHED OUT TO US AND BEGGED US TO LET THEM USE OUR SOFTWARE.
NOW, THAT IS WHEN WE KNEW WE WERE ONTO SOMETHING.
>> WEN THEY REACHED OUT TO US, WE REALIZED THERE WAS A PROBLEM ACROSS GREEK LIFE AS A WHOLE.
WE SEND UP A MARKETING PAGE WHERE FRATERNITIES WOULD HAVE TO LOOK UP THE PROBLEM TO FIND US.
FROM THIS, WE GAINED 15 CUSTOMERS, ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND OVER $5,000 OF ANNUAL RECURRING REVENUE.
THROUGH THE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT WE RECEIVED THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE PROCESS, WE HAVE GONE TO MARKET.
WE HAVE ALREADY CALLED HUNDREDS OF FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES, AND EVEN KNOCKED ON DOORS.
FROM ALL OF THIS, WE GAINED $27,000 WORTH OF LEADS.
WE BELIEVE IF WE CONTINUE THIS MOMENTUM TO THIS SUMMER, WHERE WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON THIS FULLTIME AND WE CAN CONTINUE TO SCALE OUR BUSINESS.
>> SO LIKE NOAH SAID, WE HAVE AN INFLECTION POINT WITH OUR BUSINESS WHERE WE ARE POISED FOR EXPLOSIVE GROWTH.
WITH THIS SUPPORT, WE CAN GET THE FUNDING WE NEED AS WE MAKE THIS A FULLY FLEDGED BUSINESS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND WE ARE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY, THE MOST SUCCESSFUL TOGA PARTIES START WITH AN APP.
SO LET'S HEAR WHAT THE JUDGES THINK.
DONNIE, YOU WANT TO KICK IT OFF?
>> SO I JOINED A FRATERNITY WHEN I WAS AT GEORGIA TECH.
THIS WASN'T A THING WHEN I WAS IN A COLLEGE NOR WAS IT A PROBLEM.
MAYBE BECAUSE WE WERE SMALL, BUT IT FEELS LIKE THIS IS A SMALL MARKET IN GENERAL.
HOW MANY FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES AND CHAPTERS ARE THERE ACROSS JUST THE U.S., OR MAYBE THE GLOBE?
>> SO IN THE U.S., THERE'S OVER 50,000 FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES.
WE PLAN ON STARTING WITH THIS MARKET.
OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE A LOT OF RUNWAY AND SPACE TO GO IN THIS MARKET.
HOWEVER, ALSO BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS ARE ANOTHER PARALLEL MARKET THAT'S SIMILAR TO US.
BUT WE WANT TO START IN THE GREEK MARKET.
THAT'S WHAT WE KNOW AND FAMILIAR WITH.
AS WE GET MORE REVENUE FOR THAT MARKET, WE CAN GO INTO LATERAL MARKETS LIKE BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS.
>> IS THERE A MEMBERSHIP SIZE THAT IS A MINIMUM?
>> THERE'S NO MINIMUM MEMBER SIZE.
THE AVERAGE SIZE OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS ARE AROUND 80 TO 120 MEMBERS.
>> SO WHAT IS THE IP HERE?
HOW DO YOU PROTECT THIS?
>> SO ONE THING WITH OUR SOFTWARE, WE KNOW THIS MARKET INSIDE AND OUT.
WE ARE IN A FRATERNITY AND WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM OURSELVES.
WE UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON, AND WE CAN RESONATE REALLY WELL WITH OUR CUSTOMERS.
>> RAJ, WERE YOU EVER IN A FRATERNITY?
>> NO.
>> ALL RIGHT.
BUT I BET YOU HAVE A QUESTION.
>> SO DID YOU CREATE SOME TECHNOLOGY TO MANAGE ALL THIS?
>> YES.
SO WE HAVE AN APP, AND IT'S COMPLETELY ACROSS THE PLATFORM AVAILABLE ON ANDROID AND OUR TECHNOLOGY IS NEW.
THAT'S WHAT USER HAVE RESONATED WITH.
THEY HAVE DROPPED COMPETITORS BECAUSE THEY LOVE OUR LEAN TECHNOLOGY STRUCTURE AND INTERFACE.
>> SO IS THIS FOR THE MEMBER USE APP OR THE ORGANIZATION IS USING THE APP TO WATCH THE MEMBERS?
>> YEAH.
SO WE SELL TO ORGANIZATIONS.
HOWEVER, EVERY MEMBER USES THE APP, BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS TO REQUEST THESE POINTS, ATTEND EVENTS.
SO EVERYONE IS INVOLVED.
HOWEVER, WE DO SELL DIRECTLY TO ORGANIZATIONS.
>> SO THE POINT IS TO MAINTAIN OR MONITOR SOMEONE'S GOOD STANDING IN AN ORGANIZATION, AND IT COULD BE ANY TYPE OF ORGANIZATION, A BUSINESS, FRATERNITY, WHAT ELSE IS THERE?
I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE THIS BIGGER SO I CAN SEE THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS.
>> HOW DO YOU MAKE IT BIGER?
>> WE START WITH THOSE FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES.
WHATEVER ASSOCIATION.
IT COULD EVEN BE THE BOY SCOUTS.
I'M AN EAGLE SCOUT AND I HAD TO TRACK MERIT BADGES.
WHETHER IT'S SERVICE HOURS AT A SCHOOL, WE CAN TRACK ALL OF THAT AND WE WILL LOOK TO EXPAND.
>> NOW WE'RE TALKING.
WHAT DO THE BOY SCOUTS USE NOW?
>> IT'S BEEN A MINUTE SINCE I'VE BEEN IN THE BOY SCOUTS.
I'M NOT SURE, BUT LIKE WE SAID, WE WANT TO FOCUS ON THE GREEK MARKET.
BUT THEY'RE RIGHT DOWN THE STREET, SO WE CAN HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM, AS WELL.
>> I WAS A SCOUT LEADER.
WE USE PEN AND PAPER.
NOTHING FANCY.
>> WAS IT ALL SELF-REPORTING, IS THERE A VERIFICATION PROCESS?
>> ALL USERS CAN REQUEST POINTS, AND LEADERS ARE ABLE TO MANAGE AND APPROVE THEM.
SO SOMETIMES IF SOMEONE IS SUBMITTING A SERVICE HOUR, THEY CAN TAKE A PHOTO OF WHERE THEY'RE AT.
WE HAVE GEOLOCATION, SO YOU CAN MAKE SURE YOU WERE IN A CERTAIN SPACE, TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE AT THE LOCATION THEY NEEDED TO BE.
SO THERE ARE DIFFERENT METHODS OF ACCOUNTABILITY ON OUR PLATFORM TO ENSURE PEOPLE ARE WHERE THEY'RE AT, AND IT HAS TO GO THROUGH APPROVAL OF ADMINS, AS WELL.
>> DID YOU ANALYZE -- IF THERE IS A COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE, IS THERE SOME COMPETING PRODUCTS?
>> YES.
SO WE HAVE TWO MAIN COMPETITORS.
THE FIRST TWO ORGANIZATIONS THAT REACHED OUT TO US, THEY DROPPED ONE OF OUR COMPETITORS AND CAME TO US.
A LOT OF THESE SYSTEMS ARE OUTDATED.
LIKE WE SAID, WE HAVE A LEAN TECHNOLOGY STACK THAT NEW USER INTERFACE AND CAN RESONATE WHERE THESE CUSTOMERS ARE AT.
THAT'S BEEN ONE OF OUR MAIN ADVANTAGES AND MOST OF OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE COME FROM COMPETITORS.
>> 20 SECONDS LEFT.
>> SO FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE TRANSITIONED TO YOUR TECHNOLOGY, DO THEY TEND TO USE IT OR REVERT BACK TO PEN AND PAINER?
>> YEAH.
SO EVERYONE ON OUR APP, WHEN ADOPTING OUR SOFTWARE, WE HAVE A PDF WHERE YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO ON BOARD ALL YOUR MEMBERS OR SEND A TEXT TO EVERYONE IN YOUR FRATERNITY OR SORORITY TO BE EASILY DOWNLOADED.
>> THAT'S YOUR TIME.
YOU ARE GREEK HEROES.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, JUDGES.
[ APPLAUSE ] AND NOW LET'S HEAD OVER TO ASHLEY TO MEET SOMEONE WHO IS READY TO PLEDGE TO THE BROTHERHOOD OF GREEK CONNECT.
>> I ALREADY DID.
DID YOU KNOW I SPENT MY COLLEGE YEARS ENJOYING GREEK LIFE ON THIS CAMPUS?
ALL THE WAY FROM ILLINOIS, THE LONGEST DRIVER, ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY IS JONATHAN, VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION.
JONATHAN, HOW DOES PGN BENEFIT FROM GREEK CONNECT'S SOFTWARE?
>> SO PGN USES GREEK CONNECT FOR PROFESSIONAL, SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.
THE APP ITSELF IS SUPER USER FRIENDLY WITH NO BUGS OR MALFUNCTIONS AS WE EXPERIENCED WITH PRIOR PLATFORMS.
I HAVE THE ABILITY TO POST EVENTS ALL ON MY PHONE.
I SEE OUR MEMBER USING GREEK CONNECT FOR YEARS.
>> YOU CAME FROM ILLINOIS FOR THAT 25 SECONDS.
ZEUS IS SMILING UPON YOU.
TO VOTE GREEK CONNECT, TEXT KEY WORD GREEK WHEN THE POLL OPENS.
FAITH?
>> UP NEXT, WE HAVE A TEAM THAT IS LOOKING TO PUT A FIRST PLACE TAG ON THEIR INVENTION.
>> HI, WE'RE TEAM MAKER PAPER.
EVERY DAY PEOPLE HAVE TO WEAR NAME TAGS.
THAT'S $2 TIMES MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS.
>> THIS ISN'T THE ONLY EFFICIENCY.
ATTENDEES STRUGGLE TO MAKE MEANINGFUL LEAPS, GIVE INFORMATION TO THE EVENT ORGANIZERS, AND GIVE THE RELEVANT INFORMATION TO GO THROUGH THE EXAM.
THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR BOTH ORGANIZERS AND THE ATTENDEES.
>> WE HAVE CREATED A SOLUTION THAT SOLVES ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND IT COMES WITH A SIMPLE NAME TAG.
>> THROUGH CUSTOM OR DISCOVERY AND MENTORSHIP, WE WERE ABLE TO HONE IN ON ONE MAIN PROBLEM THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO TAKE AN ENTIRE MARKET.
>> OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE THIS THE STANDARD.
>> AT EVERY CONFERENCE, YOU KNOW YOUR NAME TAG IS MORE THAN JUST A NAME TAG.
>> DON'T CHOOSE PAPER -- >> CHOOSE MAKER PAPER.
>> OKAY.
NOW, PLEASE MEET OUR NEXT TEAM, WHO IS HERE TO SHOW US WHY THEY SHOULD MAKER THE PAPER.
>> GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS ERIN, AND I'M THRILLED TO INTRODUCE YOU TO TEAM PAPER MAKER.
WE ATTEND MANY CONFERENCES AND EVENTS AS STUDENTS, AND I'M SURE YOU HAVE, TOO.
THE MAIN THING THAT SETS APART THE GOOD EVENTS FROM THE BAD IS THE EXPERIENCE.
THAT IS WHAT ATTRACTS SPONSORS, ATTENDEES AND KEEPS PEOPLE COMING BACK.
WE HAVE CREATED THE ONLY TAG, A SOLUTION THAT REVOLUTIONIZES EVENT MANAGEMENT AND NETWORKING, AND IT'S THE ONLY SOLUTION EVENT NEEDS.
IT REPLACES EVENT APPS, PRINTED PROGRAMS, BUSINESS CARDS, AND IT CAN EVEN GET RID OF THAT NASTY CHECK-IN LINE, TOO.
ALL MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE INNOVATION OF OUR AWARD WINNING SOFTWARE AND OUR PATENT PENDING NFC PAPER.
OUR TECHNOLOGY CONSOLIDATES ALL EVENT MATERIALS INTO ONE SMART NAME TAG.
SOMETHING EVERY EVENT ALSO USES.
SO DREW, LET'S SHOW THEM SOME MAGIC.
>> JUST LIKE THAT, I GOT ALL OF HER CONTACT INFO.
I CAN TAP IN AND SEE ALL OF THE EVENT INFORMATION, LIKE AGENDAS, ITINERARIES, YOU NAME IT.
AND I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FORGETTING ABOUT WHO I MET.
THE NAME TAG REMEMBERS ALL THE NETWORKING I DO.
ONE TAP, ONE SOLUTION, NO APP REQUIRED, AND ALL AT THE SAME PRICE AS A TRADITIONAL NAME TAG, SOMETHING OUR CUSTOMERS LOVE.
>> WITH OVER 1.8 MILLION CORPORATE EVENTS A YEAR, THE ONLY TAG HAS A MARKET VALUE OF $7.2 BILLION.
THIS NUMBER JUMPS UP TO OVER $90 BILLION WHEN WE CONSIDER WHAT WE OFFER IN THE LEAD ACQUISITION SPACE.
OUR PRODUCT IS MARKET READY.
THIS IS WHERE WE SECURE CONFERENCE ORDERS BY TARGETING THE COLLEGIATE AND TECH EVENT INDUSTRY AND GIVING THEM OUR OFFER OF TEN TIMES THE VALUE FOR NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE.
AND OUR MOTTO IS SIMPLE, THAT IS WHY I JUST IN ONE MONTH WE SOLD OVER 300 UNITS, AND OUR FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF OPERATION, WE HAVE MADE $2,000 IN REVENUE, $10,000 IN NONDELUDED FUNDS AND FEATURED IN LARGE NEWS OUTLETS.
THE PROBABILITY OF OUR SUCCESS IS HIGH.
IT'S NOT JUST US WHO SEES THAT.
IT'S NOT OFFICIAL AND WE'RE GOING THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS, BUT I'M EXCITED TO SAY WE HAVE BM OFFERED OVER $150,000 FOR SECOND MAKER PAPER.
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING FOR THE ONLY TAG.
WE CAN SCALE OUR MODEL AND BECOME THE EVENT INDUSTRY STANDARD, AND SAVE A FEW MILLION TREES IN THE PROCESS.
THANK YOU.
LET'S GET INTO QUESTIONS.
>> WELL DONE.
ALL RIGHT.
YOU'RE READY.
[ APPLAUSE ] I WANT TO GO TO A CONFERENCE WITH THOSE PEOPLE.
SO THIS PRESENTATION LOOKS GOOD ON PAPER, BUT LET'S HEAR FROM OUR JUDGES.
RAJ, WHY DON'T YOU START.
>> WHO IS YOUR TYPICAL CUSTOMER?
IS IT THE EVENT ORGANIZERS OR IS IT YOU'RE SELLING DIRECTLY TO INDIVIDUALS?
>> YEAH.
SO WE'RE A PRIMARY B-TO-B COMPANY.
WE SENT TO -- >> B-TO-B MEANS BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS.
>> YEAH.
SO WE SELL TO EVENT ORGANIZERS TO GIVE THEM OUT TO ATTENDEES, WHICH IS THE TYPICAL PROCESS FOR A NAME TAG.
>> I SEE.
HAVE YOU DONE ENOUGH MARKET RESEARCH AND CUSTOMER FEEDBACK TO VALIDATE THIS IDEA?
>> YEAH.
SO OUR PRODUCT IS PRETTY GOOD.
WE HAVE TALKED WITH ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS.
WE HAVE 300 UNITS OUT, AND WE HAVE ALSO BEEN DOING A BETA WITH SOME PEOPLE IN LOUISIANA, MY HOME STATE, WHERE THEY'VE HAD OUR SOFTWARE FOR OVER A YEAR.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, JUST OFF OUR DEMOS ALONE, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO CLOSE CUSTOMERS BECAUSE THEY SEE THE NEED FOR THIS INSTANTLY.
WE ACTUALLY CLOSED ONE BACKSTAGE.
[ APPLAUSE ] >> IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A QUESTION.
>> YOU GO.
>> SO ARE THERE OTHER SOFTWARES THAT, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE ELECTRONIC BUSINESS CARDS.
IS IT SIMILAR PRODUCT LIKE THAT?
>> YEAH.
SO IT'S SIMILAR TECHNOLOGY.
WE USE NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, WHICH IS THE SAME AS THE DIGITAL BUSINESS CARDS YOU MENTIONED.
BUT SOMETHING WE DO THAT IS UNIQUE, AND IT HAS PRINTING ABILITY.
SO YOU CAN PRINT ON THIS LIKE TRADITIONAL PAPER.
THIS IS PATENT PENDING.
SO IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ALLOW YOU TO GET EVENT INFORMATION.
>> IS IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO SEE IT?
CAN I FEEL IT?
>> THAT'S PATENT PENDING, SO DON'T MESS THAT UP.
>> SO, YEAH, IT'S SIZED TO BE SIMILAR TO A REGULAR NAME TAG.
BY TAPPING, IT WILL BRING UP THIS LINK.
AND YOU CAN SEE MY NAME AND GET ALL MY CONTACT INFO BY CLICKING ON THE EVENT LOGO, I CAN SEE THE SPEAKERS, MAPS, YOU NAME IT.
AND WE OFF SOMETHING FOR SPONSORS.
A LOT OF THESE EVENTS ARE SPONSORED, AND THEY GET A LITTLE LOGO OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON THE BOTTOM.
BUT WE GO A STEP FURTHER AND WE ACQUISITION.
YOU CAN NOW CLICK AND SEE THINGS FROM THE SPONSOR, SO THEIR INITIATIVES, THEIR RECRUITING AND MORE.
>> HOW ARE WE ON TIME?
>> IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NAME TAG, IT'S ABOUT REPLACING THE APP?
BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS BIG EVENT COMING UP IN THE FALL AT ATL, AND BUILDING THE APP FOR IT, NOBODY HAS DONE THAT WELL.
SO IF YOU COULD SOLVE THAT, AND THE CHECK-IN, THAT'S AWFUL EVERYWHERE.
HOW ARE YOU FIXING THAT?
>> SO SINCE EVERYTHING IS ROUTED THROUGH THE NAME TAG, THE NAME TAG IS THE PRIMARY THING YOU NEED FOR EVENTS.
SO WE CAN -- WHEN YOU REGISTER, WE CAN PUT THE REGISTRATION ON THE WEBSITE WHERE YOU GO TO REGISTER AND GET YOUR TICKETS OR WHATEVER AND PUT THAT INTEGRATED WITH OUR WEBSITE.
SO WE GET ALL YOUR INFO AND SHIP IT TO YOU.
WE DO HAVE AN OPTION FOR ON SITE PRINTING IN CASE YOU LOSE IT.
>> CONGRATULATIONS FOR SPENDING THE MOST TIME CLOSEST TO THE JUDGES IN INVENTURE PRIZE HISTORY.
WE'VE GOT ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.
WHAT OTHER QUESTIONS DO WE HAVE?
ANDREW, COME BACK HERE SO I CAN SEE YOUR FACE.
I'M FEELING LEFT OUT.
>> I WANT TO KNOW, ARE THERE OTHER USES YOU HAVE THOUGHT FOR THIS?
BECAUSE IT SEEMS KIND OF LIKE CLEVER PAPER.
WHAT ELSE?
>> WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THINKING ABOUT THIS AS A WHOLE, WHICH IS LIKE THE NFC PAPER, WE TRIED TO DO LIKE BIRTHDAY CARDS, YOU OPEN A CARD, AND YOU'LL SEE -- THE PEOPLE'S FACE ALSO SHOW UP ON YOUR PHONE AND YOU CAN SEE THEM SAYING HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
YOU TAP YOUR MEDICINE ON A MEDICINE BOTTLE AND IT WILL TELL YOU WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU TOOK IT.
THIS WAS THE MARKET THAT WE FELT WE WANTED TO GO FOR.
>> WHEN WE CAME INTO INVENTURE, WE HAD ALL THESE DIFFERENT USE CASES, BUT THEY TOLD US WE NEEDED TO FIND A MARKET WHERE WE COULD MAKE THE BIGGEST HIT.
SO THIS WAS THE BEST SOLUTION.
AND WE'VE ALREADY SEEN GREAT SUCCESS WITH OUR CLIENTS.
>> NICE JOB.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[ APPLAUSE ] NOW WE HAVE ASHLEY STANDING BY WITH SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES TEAM MAKER PAPER HAS SOME OF THE SMARTEST STUDENTS IN THE LAND.
>> TAKE ME TO CHURCH.
MAKER PAPER HATH MADE IT TO THY LORD'S HOUSE.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAP INTO A NEW -- HOW IS MAKER PAPER BRINGING MORE HOLY GOODNESS TO YOUR MISSION, SIR?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THANK YOU, ASHLEY.
WE STRUGGLED WITH LOW ENGAMEMENT FOR OVER NINE YEARS.
NOW THROUGH THIS, WE'VE BEEN LEARNING HOW TO SEND ALL OF THE INFORMATION TO THE PARTICIPANTS RIGHT TO THEIR PHONES IMMEDIATELY.
BECAUSE SENDING INFORMATION THROUGH A POWER POINT WASN'T CUTTING IT.
NOW THROUGH THIS, WE HAVE NOT ONLY LEARNED HOW TO SEND INFORMATION TO THE PHONES IMMEDIATELY, BUT WE HAVE GROWN OVER 300%.
THIS HAS BECOME THE ENGINE THROUGH INVOLVEMENT AND VOLUNTEERING WITH AN ORGANIZATION.
ALL I CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY IS THROUGH THIS, WE HAVE LEARNED HOW TO TAP IN.
>> OH, IT FELT DIVINE.
THANK YOU, TOLA.
VERY GOOD, SIR.
AND PEACE BE WITH YOU, OKAY?
LET'S KEEP THAT SHIP ON THE PAPER, AND OFF OF OUR SHOULDERS BY VOTING.
TEXT KEY WORD TAGS TO THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN.
WE HAVE FAITH.
FAITH?
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
AS YOU KNOW, ONLY SIX OF THE 50 PLUS TEAMS WHO ENTERED THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION MADE IT TO THE FINALS.
BUT JUST BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT HAVE MADE IT TO THE STAGE THIS YEAR DOESN'T MEAN WE WON'T SEE THESE TEAMS AND CREATIONS IN THE FUTURE.
SO LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME POTENTIAL INNOVATIONS WE MAY SEE IN THE YEARS AHEAD, WITH A FUN LITTLE SEGMENT WE CALL "MAYBE NEXT YEAR."
♪ ♪ >> BILL PRITCHARD RIDING THE ACTION.
>> I KNOW THAT THIS ROBOT DOES WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO.
>> OUR MACHINE TAKES CARROTS AND TURNS THEM INTO A VEGAN ALTERNATIVE HOT DOG.
>> CONGRATULATIONS.
THIS IS FANTASTIC.
>> IMAGINE YOU'RE A GEORGIA FARMER.
>> HOW DOES IT TASTE?
>> HAVE YOU SPENT TOO MANY HOURS GETTING YOUR HAIR TAKEN DOWN?
WE HAVE A SOLUTION FOR YOU.
>> SO YOU PLACE SOMETHING UP HERE.
>> AND I CAN ALSO HEAR AMAZING MUSIC RIGHT NOW.
♪ ♪ >> WE ARE HEARING THEIR VOICE.
>> I INVENTED A SMART WATCH COMPATIBLE BAND THAT RELEASES ANTIHISTAMINES.
>> BUNNIES HAVE NOT BEEN CHASING ME.
>> THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF ROGUE CHEFS AROUND HERE.
>> WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT HAS THEM EXCITED?
>> I TRIED TO PUT AN IV IN ONE OF MY TEAMMATES, BUT THEY WOULDN'T LET ME.
>> ONCE IT'S AT THE RIGHT HEIGHT, IT WILL ACTIVATE.
>> SOMETHING THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
>> IF THEY'RE SAYING IT'S GOOD ENOUGH, WHO ARE WE?
WE'RE LIKE THE RANDOM GEORGIA TECH PROFESSORS.
>> THIS NEXT TEAM HAS MADE A WEARABLE THAT MAKES YOUR WE'RE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS KENDRA.
>> WE'RE TEAM -- >> IN AMERICA, WE'RE LIVING THROUGH A SILENT EPIDEMIC.
THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN 2023 FOR AMERICANS AGES 18 THROUGH 45 WAS FENTANYL OVERDOSE.
IN THREE OUT OF FIVE OF THESE OVERDOSES COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF NALOXOWN IS GIVEN ON TIME.
THE PROBLEM IS MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, AND EVEN IF THEY DO, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO CARRY IT, AND THEY MAY FEEL STIGMA CARRYING IT.
>> FOR SIX MONTHS, WE HAVE BEEN OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, TALKING TO DOZENS OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.
WE FOUND A SOLUTION.
>> WINNING THE INVENTURE PRIZE WILL GIVE US THE CREDIBILITY, THE VISIBILITY, AND THE RESOURCES TO LAUNCH THIS FOR A STUDENT PROJECT TO A REAL PRODUCT THAT WILL SAVE LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> AND HERE TO SHOW YOU HOW YOU CAN USE FASHION FOR POWER, TEAM NALO PACK.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE.
>> YOU'RE AT A MUSIC FESTIVAL, DANCING, HAVING FUN, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOUR FRIEND DROPS TO THE GROUND AND THEIR LIPS ARE TURNING BLUE.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
YOUR FRIEND IS EXPERIENCING A FENTANYL OVERDOSE, THE LEADING CAUSE OF YOUNG ADULT DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES.
60% OF THESE DEATHS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THEY HAD A NASAL SPRAY MEDICATION THAT CAN REVERSE AN OVERDOSE.
AMBULANCES CAN'T NORMALLY DELIVER THESE DOSES.
BY JUST THREE MINUTES, YOUR FRIEND COULD BE IN CARDIAC ARREST.
OUR HEALTH CARE SERVICES ARE NOT STOPPING OVERDOSE.
SO OUR COMMUNITIES MUST.
IN ORDER TO PREVENT EVEN MORE DEATHS BY OVERDOSE, PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES NEED TO CARRY NALOXONE.
EVEN IF THEY CAN GET PAST THE STIGMA AND WANT TO CARRY IT, IT CAN EASILY GET CRUSHED IF THEY RUN INTO A BAG OR A POCKET.
BUT WITHOUT IT, YOU ARE POWERLESS TO SAVE YOUR FRIEND'S LIFE.
>> NALO PACK IS OUR SOLUTION.
OUR CROSS BODY BAG EQUIPS YOU TO RESPOND TO AN OVERDOSE AND LETS YOU SHOW IT OFF WITH PRIDE.
DESIGNED FOR OVERDOSE HOT SPOTS, IT'S FASHIONABLE TO WEAR ON A NIGHT OUT AND FUNCTIONAL AS A MEDICAL PRODUCT.
A RIGID FRONT PANEL PROTECTS THE MEDICATION, EVEN FROM A MOSH PIT.
AND BUILT-IN INSTRUCTIONS GIVE YOU THE POWER TO IDENTIFY AN OVERDOSE WHEN HAPPENING.
IT'S DESIGNED FOR EXTREME SITUATIONS, SO IT WORKS JUST AS WELL AT A RAVE OR A WALK IN THE PARK.
MOST OF US WON'T GIVE NALOONE IN OUR DAILY LIVES, BUT WE DON'T NEED ADMINISTER MEDICATION TO SAVE LIVES.
THIS IS A CONVERSATION STARTER, GIVING YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH YOUR COMMUNITY THAT CARRYING NALOXONE IS SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF.
THAT'S WHAT NALO PACK IS ABOUT, EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITIES ON OVERDOSE.
>> WITH JUST OVER $400 IN SIX MONTHS, WE HAVE DESIGNED THESE BAGS, USER TEST THEM AND LAUNCHED PREORDERS.
WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EDUCATE OVER 800 PEOPLE, AND WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED.
FUNDING FROM INVENTURE WOULD COVER OUR MANUFACTURING EXPENSES, AND ALLOW US TO MARKET AT MUSIC FESTIVALS AND VENUES SUCH AS COACHELLA AND EDUCATE THOUSANDS.
>> NEXT WEEKEND YOU'RE AT A CONCERT AND SOMEONE NEXT TO YOU FALLS TO THE GROUND AND THEIR LIPS ARE TURNING BLUE.
THIS TIME YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO AND YOU HAVE THE POWER TO SAVE THAT PERSON'S LIFE.
>> GREAT JOB.
I WISH THERE WERE A VIDEO, I HAVE TO SAY.
[ APPLAUSE ] I WISH WE COULD SEE A VIDEO OF THE PRODUCT TESTING IN A MOSH PIT.
NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE JUDGES TO ADMINISTER THEIR QUESTIONS.
RAJ, WILL YOU START?
>> SURE.
SO WHO IS YOUR TYPICAL CUSTOMER?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
SO OUR EARLY ADOPTERS ARE A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ALREADY KNOW ABOUT NALOXONE AND ARE UPSET ABOUT THE STIGMA THAT UPSETS ABOUT, BUT THEY'RE STILL FACING CHALLENGES CARRYING IT TO EVENTS LIKE MUSIC FESTIVALS BECAUSE THE MEDICINE IS FRAGILE.
WE WANT THOSE PEOPLE TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITIES AROUND THEM BY CARRYING IT IN THIS VISIBLE, PROUD WAY.
SO EVENTUALLY, MORE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WILL BE INTERESTED IN CARRYING IT.
>> SO INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY BUYING THESE?
>> YES.
>> AND IT'S AVAILABLE ONLINE?
WE CAN BUY IT ONLINE?
>> YOU CAN PREORDER IT ON OUR WEBSITE RIGHT NOW.
>> OKAY.
HAVE YOU ACTUALLY GOT SOME CUSTOMER FEEDBACK TO VALIDATE YOUR IDEA?
>> YEAH.
SO OUR FRIENDS HAVE BEEN BEGGING US TO TEST THE BAG.
WE GOT OUR FRIENDS SAYING WE'RE GOING TO A CONCERT, CAN WE WEAR IT?
WE HAVE GOTTEN GOOD FEEDBACK FROM OUR PEERS AND WE ARE HERE AT GEORGIA TECH DURING THE DAY, BUT THE REST OF THE TIME WE'RE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, AND ACTUALLY TEST THING PRODUCT ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.
>> HOW MUCH DOES A SINGLE DOSE COST?
>> SO YOU CAN BUY NALOXONE AT TARGET FOR $40.
THERE'S A TON OF FUNDING HAPPENING FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS TO GET THIS OUT FOR FREE.
SO WE'RE IN CONVERSATIONS WITH SOME PARTNERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS AS A DISTRIBUTOR FOR FREE MEDICATION TO PARTNER WITH THEM AT EVENTS, AND THEY GIVE OUT N A, LOXONE AND OFFER EDUCATION, WE CAN OFFER THE HOW AND WHY BEHIND WHY THEY SHOULD CARRY NALOXONE.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT YOU'RE OPENING UP THE CONVERSATION.
I THINK THAT'S A GREAT THING TO DO.
WHAT IS THE IP HERE?
WHAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT FROM SOMEBODY ELSE WHO MIGHT WANT TO BUILD A BAG?
>> YEAH.
SO WE HAVE NO COMPETITORS CURRENTLY.
WE'RE THE ONLY ONES APPROACHING IT IN THIS WAY.
WE'RE HONESTLY SHOCKED, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO PATENT OUR FRONT PANEL DESIGN BECAUSE OF THE QUICK DEPLOYMENT THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TEST AND SEE GOOD RESULTS WITH.
>> SO YOU CREATED THE BAG THAT WILL HOLD THE MEDICINE, BUT YOU -- THE BAG DOESN'T COME WITH THE MEDICINE, CORRECT?
>> NO.
BUT WITH OUR WEBSITE, WE ARE CREATING A PLATFORM TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE RESOURCES.
WE HAVE SO MANY COMMUNITY PARTNERS DOING THIS HARM REDUCTION WORK.
WE FOUND WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A MORE CENTERED HUMAN APPROACH TO HELP PEOPLE GET THROUGH THE STIGMA AND CARRY NALOXONE.
>> RAJ?
>> YOU KNOW, LADIES HAVE PURSES, HAND BAGS.
IF YOU CREATE SOMETHING WHICH IS MORE STURDY AND PUT IT IN THERE, AND THEN THEY CAN SLIP IT IN THEIR BAG, IS THAT SOMETHING -- >> ABSOLUTELY.
SO THROUGH THE DESIGN PROCESS, WE FOUND THAT A CROSS BODY BAG WAS OUR EASY IN TO THIS SPACE.
BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PRODUCTS THAT THE INVENTURE PRIZE WOULD HELP US FUND DEVELOP.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S A PRODUCT FOR EACH OF THESE SCENARIOS.
SO WE WANT TO CONTINUE THAT DEVELOPMENT.
>> THAT WAY, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT -- YOU KNOW, JUST ADVERTISING NALOXONE, YOU'RE CARRYING YOUR BAG AND AS SOON AS AN INCIDENT HAPPENS, YOU'RE IN ACTION.
>> IT KIND OF MAKES YOU LIKE A LIFEGUARD.
SO YOU NEED SOMETHING -- YOU NEED MORE GREEN.
SO IT'S WHERE THIS HAPPENS AND YOU'RE ACROSS THE ROOM, BUT SOMEONE THAT IS WITH THIS INDIVIDUAL CAN SAY HEY, I SEE SOMEONE THAT CAN HELP.
I WOULDN'T PUT IT IN MY PURSE TO SERVE THIS SEED.
YOU WANT TO SHOUT IT FROM A ROOF TOP.
>> YOU NEED MORE GREEN, YOU WANT THE MONEY.
[ APPLAUSE ] >> HOW MUCH DOES YOUR BAG COST?
>> OUR PREORDERS ARE VALUED AT $ 65.
WHICH IS COMPARABLE TO THE LULLI CROSS BODY.
>> NOW LET'S CHECK IN WITH ASHLEY AS SHE IS STANDING BY WITH SOMEONE WHO IS HAPPY TO WEAR MORE THAN JUST THEIR HEARD ON THEIR SLEEVE.
>> AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THEY TOLD ME NEARLY A THIRD OF AMERICANS KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS TANGLED WITH OPIOIDS OR BATTLE.
ABBEY, FROM A RESEARCHER'S STAND POINT, HOW DO YOU EXAMINE THIS HIGH-STAKES PROBLEM?
>> YEAH.
THANKS SO MUCH.
I'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO WORK WITH THE TEAM.
GENERALLY, MY RESEARCH IS AROUND INFORMATION ACCESS.
BUT IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO THINK ABOUT HOW STIGMA IS AN INHIBITOR TO SAVING LIVES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE OVERDOSING.
PERSONALLY, MY LITTLE BROTHER DIED OF AN OVERDOSE.
I DON'T USUALLY WANT TO SHARE THIS IN THIS KIND OF VENUE, BUT IT'S THROUGH THE WORK AND WEARING NALO PACK I HAVE REDUCED STIGMA WITHIN MY OWN EXPERIENCE, AND I HOPE YOU WILL, TOO.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT.
TO BE THEM YOU PICK, TEXT KEY WORD NALO WHEN VOTING OPENS.
>> WE HAVE JUST ONE MORE FINALIST TO PRESENT, AND THEY ARE READY TO BLOW YOU AWAY WITH THEIR IDEA.
IT'S TEAM BREEZY.
>> WE ARE TEAM BREEZY.
>> LAST SUMMER, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHADOW A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN, WHERE I NOTICED PATIENTS COMPLAINING ABOUT LONG WAIT TIMES, AND DOCTORS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE TRANSITIONS FROM CONSULTATION TO CONSULTATION.
>> THESE INEFFICIENCIES ARE CAUSED BY ONE COMMON PROBLEM, PATIENT ASSESSMENTS.
>> NURSES ARE OVERBURDENED AND UNDERSTAFFED.
IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE UNITED STATES EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT NURSING SHORTAGE.
EVEN MY BACKGROUND IN COMMUTER SCIENCE, WE KNEW WE WERE POSITIONED TO FIND A SOLUTION THAT HELPS EVERYBODY.
>> I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIND A FIX SINCE LAST SUMMER, AND SINCE I'VE BEEN TALKING TO DOCTORS AND NURSES TO LEARN MORE.
BREEZY IS GOING TO WIN THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR DOCTORS, NURSES -- >> AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, PATIENTS LIKE YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT.
NOW IT'S TIME TO HEAR ALL ABOUT EASY BREEZY BEAUTIFUL PATIENT FLOW.
TEAM BREEZY, TAKE IT AWAY.
>> HI, WE'RE CHANGING THE WAY YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE WITH BREEZY.
LAST SUMMER, I SHADOWED A DOCTOR WHERE I FIRST HAND EXPERIENCED THE FRUSTRATIONS OF PATIENTS WAITING UPWARDS OF 30 MINUTES, NURSES STRETCHED THIN DUE TO HEAVY WORKLOADS AND DOCTORS RUSHING IN BETWEEN APPOINTMENTS.
THE BOTTLENECK CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS ARE PATIENT ASSESSMENTS.
THIS IS WHEN THE NURSE COMES IN AND ASKS YOU QUESTIONS WHAT ARE YOU IN FOR TODAY OR WHAT SYMPTOMS DO YOU HAVE?
THIS IS A RUSHED AND INEFFICIENT PROCESS, LEADING TO DOCTORS NOT BEING FULLY PREPARED BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT.
PRACTICES THEREFORE ARE NOT -- THEY ARE WASTING TIME AND MONEY ON DOCUMENTATION WHILE PATIENTS ARE GETTING ASKED REPETITIVE QUESTIONS.
TALKING TO 50 OTHER DOCTORS, WE FOUND THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.
THAT'S WHY WE BUILT BREEZY.
>> OUR SOLUTION STREAMLINES THE PATIENT INTAKE PROCESS.
THROUGH A FORM AND A CONVERSATION WITH OUR DIGITAL NURSE, WE ALLOW PATIENTS TO COMPLETE ALL NECESSARY ASSESSMENTS BEFORE STEPPING INTO THE PRACTICE.
BREEZY WILL COMPILE THIS INTO A DETAILED AND THOROUGH REPORT THAT GETS POPULATED INTO THE DOCTOR'S HEALTH RECORD SYSTEM.
THIS IS NOT THE STRENUOUS, TYPED ALL ONE-SIZE FITS ALL FORM.
WE CAN CUT OUT PATIENT WAIT TIMES AND GIVE DOCTORS ALL THE CONTEXT THEY NEED HOURS IN ADVANCE.
RIGHT NOW, A MEDICAL PRACTICE WILL ALLOW THREE MINUTES OF TIME FOR A PATIENT.
BUT WE CAN CUT OUT TEN MINUTES BY DOING ASSESSMENTS AT HOME.
>> IN JUST THE PAST TWO MONTHS, WE PARTNERED WITH TWO PRACTICES AND ONE HOSPITAL.
FOUR WEEKS AGO, WE PICKED UP THE PHONE AND MANUALLY CALLED PATIENTS TO COMPLETE ASSESS MENS.
WE PUT OUR CONVERSATIONS INTO BREEZY THAT GENERATED A REPORT THAT WE COULD EMAIL.
THREE WEEKS AGO, WE BUILT OUT AN END-TO-END PRODUCT.
TWO WEEKS AGO, TESTED IT WITH AROUND TWO PATIENTS A DAY, LAST WEEK, TEN, AND THIS WEEK 30 PATIENTS PER DAY.
TO PUT THE IMPACT OF THIS CO-CONTEXT, THE DOCTOR ESTIMATES THAT SHE CAN SEE A 27% INCREASE IN WEEKLY PATIENT FLOW, LEADING TO AN ADDITIONAL $4500 IN WEEKLY PROFITS.
>> WE HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY IMPROVING BY GETTING FEEDBACK.
WE HAVE PUSHED 17 UPDATES ALONE IN TWO WEEKS BASED ON FEEDBACK.
WE HAVE THREE LETTERS OF INTENT TO PURCHASE BREEZY THE MOMENT WE BECOME HIPA COMPLIANT.
THE U.S. IS SHORT 1.1 MILLION NURSES, AND THIS, COMBINED WITH THE RISE OF TELEHEALTH, GIVES US A SMALL WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO ACT.
SO JOIN US IN TRANSFORMING HEALTH CARE WITH BREEZY.
THANK YOU.
[ APPLAUSE ] >> WELL, THEY MADE THAT LOOK LIKE A BREEZE, BUT SOMETHING TELLS ME WE HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS IN THE CROSSWINDS.
LEEANN, WHY DON'T YOU KICK IT OFF.
>> YEAH.
SO I'M A RARE DISEASE PATIENT, SO I SEE A LOT OF DOCTORS EVERY YEAR.
SO I CAN APPRECIATE MAKING THESE VISITS MORE EFFICIENT.
BUT I WILL SAY ONE THING THAT I SEE IS SOMETHING THROUGH MY CHART, WHICH A LOT OF CLINICIA S USE, AND THEY HAVE AT AN AT-HOME ASSESSMENT FORM THAT YOU FILL OUT BEFORE YOU GO.
HOW IS YOURS DIFFERENT FROM THAT?
YOU SAID IT'S DYNAMIC, SO TELL ME HOW.
>> NUMBER ONE, WE'RE PURELY CONVERSATIONAL.
SO INSTEAD OF TYPING OUT AND CLICKING ON THOSE SMALL BUTTONS, YOU'RE ENGAGING IN A CONVERSATION WITH A VIRTUAL NURSE THAT SOUNDS HUMAN.
SECOND OF ALL, WE ARE USING A LANGUAGE MODEL TO GENERATE THE QUESTIONS.
THIS WAY WE'RE ABLE TO PROBE PATIENTS WITH GREATER DETAIL THAN WHAT THE FORMS CAN DO.
>> WE CAN ASK FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS.
IF YOU SAY YOU HAVE A SORE THROAT, WE CAN ASK DO YOU HAVE A FEVER, REDNESS, ET CETERA.
>> I LOVE THIS, THE VERBAL PART, AND I HAVE TWO YOUNG ONES AT HOME.
HOPEFULLY THEY'RE WATCHING.
SO WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THE NURSE'S HOTLINE.
COULD I CALL THEM AND THEN GET FEEDBACK ON WHAT I SHOULD DO, OR IS THIS JUST AN ASSESSMENT THAT YOU GIVE TO A DOCTOR AND DECISIONS ARE MADE BY A PROFESSIONAL?
>> YES.
SO THE ASSESSMENTS THAT WE'RE DOING WOULD BE SENT TO A PATIENT AFTER THEY HAVE SCHEDULED THEIR APPOINTMENT.
THEY WOULD TAKE THE ASSESSMENT ABOUT A DAY IN ADVANCE.
BREEZY GENERATES THE REPORT BASED ON THIS CONVERSATION THEY HAVE, WHICH GETS INTEGRATED INTO THE DOCTOR'S PREEXISTING ELECTRONIC HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, SO THEY CAN VIEW IT FROM THERE RATHER THAN THE PATIENT HAVING TO PROVIDE IT.
>> YOU STILL NEED A PROFESSIONAL TO COME IN AND SAY BASED ON WHAT I HEARD, THIS IS WHAT THE DIAGNOSIS IS?
>> RIGHT, WE'RE JUST GIVING NURSES MORE TIME TO TEND TO PATIENTS RATHER THAN JUGGLE WITH DOCUMENTATION.
>> DO YOU HAVE A GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGY?
>> YES.
SO THE WAY WE'RE PLANNING TO GO TO MARKET IS BY THE SHORT TERM GOALS AND THE END OF THE MONTH WE ARE LOOKING TO BECOME HIPA COMPLIANT.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH A PROFESSOR HERE, HE WAS THE HIPA PRIVACY LAW, HE LED THAT PROGRAM UNDER THE WHITE HOUSE.
AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH HIM TO BECOME HIPA COMPLIANT.
WE ARE PLANNING TO GO TO MARKET STARTING WITH PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTICES.
WE WANT TO GAIN OUR FIRST TEN CUSTOMERS THAT DAY, THEN PRIVATE GROUP PRACTICES, THEN URGENT CARE CENTERS AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND THEN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
>> WE'VE GOT ABOUT TWO MINUTES.
>> ALL RIGHT.
SO THINKING ABOUT OTHER WAYS THAT YOU COULD USE THIS, BECAUSE HE MENTIONED CALLING THE HEALTH LINE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOUR KIDS GOT, DO I NEED TO COME TO THE HOSPITAL OR NOT.
ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT OTHER AM CASES TO EXPAND INTO?
>> DEFINITELY.
WE'RE LOOKING AT BUILDING A SUITE OF TOOLS THAT CAN AFFECT PRACTICES IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.
SOME EXAMPLES CAN BE IN PATIENT AND CLINICAL NOTES, WHEN THE DOCTOR IS IN THE OFFICE, THIS COULD ALSO INVOLVE AUTOMATED PROCESSES LIKE BILLING AND SCHEDULING, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY ALSO VERY, VERY MANUAL.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY INVESTORS RIGHT NOW?
>> CURRENTLY, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY INVESTORS.
WE ARE FINDING THAT AT THE MOMENT, WE ARE JUST PAYING FOR API CREDITS AND DATABASE OUT OF OUR OWN POCKET, SO THAT'S FINE.
SO WHEN WE START SCALING IS WHEN WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR MORE INVESTORS.
>> HOW MUCH DOES IT COST A COMPANY TO IMPLEMENT YOUR SYSTEM?
>> SURE.
>> RIGHT NOW, WE'RE CHARGING PRACTICES AROUND $10 PER PATIENT PER MONTH.
SO WE'RE CALCULATE THING BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF PATIENTS THAT ARE SEEN BY A PRACTICE.
AND WE CHOSE THIS BY A VALUE-BASED APPROACH.
SO WE TALKED TO THE PRACTICES THAT WE PILOTED WITH.
WE FIGURED OUT HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL PROFIT THEY'RE GETTING BY THE AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL PATIENT INFLOW THEY'RE GETTING THROUGH BREEZY.
>> WE'RE NOT CONSIDERING OTHER BENEFITS, LIKE NOT HAVING TO PAY OVERTIME TO NURSES, AS WELL AS WE GUARANTEE THAT THEY HIT THEIR REQUIREMENTS, WHICH ARE REQUIREMENTS TO GET REIMBURSEMENTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
>> TEN SECONDS.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A MILLION DOLLARS TOMORROW?
>> WE WOULD KEEP BUILDING BREEZY AND TRY TO CHANGE HEALTH CARE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THAT'S YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[ APPLAUSE ] ALL RIGHT.
JUDGES, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE HAVE HEARD FROM ALL OUR COMPETITORS.
NOW IT'S TIME TO STEP AWAY AND DELIBERATE.
GOOD LUCK.
IT'S A STUFF DECISION.
WHILE OUR JUDGES LEAVE THE STAGE TO MAKE THAT DECISION, LET'S ELIMINATE THE WAIT TIME AND JUMP RIGHT TO ASHLEY SHE IS WITH A SPECIAL GUEST FROM TEAM BREEZY.
>> I LOVE INVADING PEOPLE'S PRIVACY, BUT I WOULDN'T RISK IT WITH MY GUEST, WHO CREATED HIPPA'S PRIVACY RULE.
HE ONCE SERVED AS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CHIEF COUNSELOR AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
PETER, HOW HAS TEAM BREEZY LEANED ON YOU AS THEIR CHIEF PRIVACY ADVISER?
>> MANY TIMES IN HEALTH CARE PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT PATIENT PRIVACY.
HERE THEY CAN TEAM ONE THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND HAVE A BUSINESS ASSOCIATE CONTRACT FOR THAT, TEAM UP WITH THEIR I.T.
PROVIDER, HAVE A CONTRACT THERE, SO IT'S SAFE AND SECURE AND PRIVATE THROUGH THE SYSTEM.
>> VERY GOOD.
WE'RE PROUD TO HAVE YOU, PETER.
YOU ANSWERED THOROUGHLY WITHOUT AIRING TOO MANY DETAILS.
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
IF YOU WANT TEAM BREEZY TO WIN THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD, TEXT THE WE WORD BREEZY.
WITH THAT, WE HAVE CONCLUDED ALL OF OUR TEAM PRESENTATIONS AND INTERVIEWS.
SO IT IS TIME FOR THE PEOPLE TO PICK THEIR FAVORITE.
PEOPLE'S CHOICE VOTING IS OFFICIALLY OPEN.
TO VOTE, TEXT YOUR FAVORITE TEAM'S KEY WORD TO 4159657445 OR VOTE ONLINE AT GPB.ORG/VOTE.
ONLY ONE VOTE PER DEVICE WILL CORRECT.
WATCH OUT FOR AUTO CORRECT.
YOU HAVE TO SPELL YOUR TEAM'S KEY WORD CORRECTLY FOR YOUR VOTE TO COUNT, KNOW THAT.
LET'S GO OVER THE KEY WORDS ONE MORE TIME, AUDIENCE.
CANDOR, TEAM LILY PAD HEALTH TO OBG WIN YOUR KEY WORLD IS HEALTH.
TEAM GREEK CONNECT, THE KEY WORD IS GREEK.
IF YOU NAMED PAPER MAKER AS THE WINNER, TEX THE WORD TAGS.
AND IF NALO PACK GIVES YOU LIFE, NEXT THE WORD NALO.
IF YOUR TEAM IS EASY FOR TEAM BREEZY, USE THE WORD BREEZY.
AGAIN, THAT NUMBER TO TEXT IS 4159657445.
YOU WILL RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION TEXT AFTER YOU VOTE.
LIKE I SAID, THAT VOTE WILL ONLY COUNT ONE TIME PER DEVICE.
AND SPEAKING OF THOSE DEVICES, IF YOU ARE ON YOUR COMPUTER, VOTE ONLINE BY GOING TO GPB.ORG/VOTE.
OUR PEOPLE'S CHOICE VOTING WILL ONLY REMAIN OPEN FOR A SMALL WINDOW, SO GET THE KEY WORDS SET.
WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER SHORTLY.
WITH THAT, BACK TO YOU, FAITH.
>> THANKS, ASHLEY.
AS OUR JUDGES ARE BUSY DELIBERATING, I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT GEORGIA TECH INVENTURE PRIZE'S SISTER PROGRAM, IN K-12 SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.
THIS YEAR, THEY'RE CELEBRATING THEIR TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, AND WE HAPPEN TO HAVE A VIDEO TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE INCREDIBLE SUCCESSES OF THIS PROGRAM.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK.
♪ ♪ >> THE K-12 INVENTURE PRIZE AT GEORGIA TECH IS CELEBRATING OUR TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
>> WE'RE CELEBRATING.
>> WE'RE CELEBRATING.
>> WE'RE CELEBRATING.
>> WE'RE CELEBRATING.
>> WOO-HOO.
>> YEA.
>> WE'RE CELEBRATING A DECADE OF DISCOVERY.
>> TEN YEARS OF AMAZING STUDENT INVENTIONS.
>> THAT'S A FULL DECADE OF DISCOVERY.
>> REACHING MORE THAN 60,000 K-12 STUDENS ACROSS GEORGIA.
>> 60,000.
>> THAT'S A LOT.
>> PARTNERING WITH MORE THAN 750 AMAZING TEACHERS, LIKE ME.
>> AND ME.
>> AND ME.
>> WE'RE CELEBRATING A DECADE OF DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CURRICULUM.
>> AND TRAINING THAT ALLOWS TEACHERS TO HELP STUDENTS FIELD THEIR INVENTIONS.
>> HELPING STUDENTS BRING THEIR UNIQUE CONCEPTS TO LIFE.
>> AND A LOT OF WORK BRINGING STUDENT INVENTIONS TO THE MARKETPLACE.
>> THESE TEACHERS ARE AMAZING.
>> WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR SUCCESS, CONNECTING AND UPLIFTING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.
>> BY EXPANDING ACCESS TO S.T.E.M.
EDUCATION TO EVERYONE.
>> AND I MEAN EVERYONE.
>> AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO GET INVOLVED.
>> INSPIRING K-12 STUDENTS THROUGH OUR COMPETITION.
>> COMPETITIVE AND FRIENDLY EVENTS THAT EMPOWER STUDENTS TO SUCCEED AT NATIONALS AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS.
>> WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR COLLABORATION.
>> CELEBRAING OUR EXPANSION INTO RURAL COMMUNITIES.
>> PARTNERING WITH LOCAL LEADERS.
>> CREATING NEW JOB PATHWAYS.
>> AND REVITALIZING MANUFACTURING THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
>> WE'RE CELEBRATING A DECADE OF DISCOVERY.
>> WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED.
>> THANKS TO YOU.
>> THANKS TO YOU.
>> YOU ROCK.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANKS, Y'ALL.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANKS.
>> THANK YOU!
>> THANKS, Y'ALL.
♪ ♪ >> THANK YOU.
>> AND NOW, LET'S MEET THE FORCE BEHIND THE K-12 INVENTURE PRIZE, DR. ROXANNE MOORE.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, FAITH.
>> HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU WATCHED THAT VIDEO?
>> I CRIED THE FIRST TIME, SO I'M GLAD IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME I AM SEEING IT LIVE.
>> HOW DID THE K-12 INVENTURE PRIZE BEGIN?
>> IT STARTED WITH TWO TEACHERS AMANDA BASKET AND DEAN LANDERS WHO SAW THIS SHOW AND THOUGHT I WANT TO DO THIS WITH MY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
THEN IT STARTED WITH A CHECK FROM THE FITZGERALD FOUNDATION, WHICH WAS GIVEN TO ME.
I WAS TOLD GO DO SOMETHING WITH THIS.
TURNED OUT TO BE A GOOD INVESTMENT WITH.
THAT LITTLE CHECK, HERE WE ARE TEN YEARS LATER.
>> SO THOSE ARE THE FOLKS WHO GOT IT STARTED.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE OTHER FOLKS WHO MAKE THIS PROGRAM SO SUCCESSFUL.
WE SAW SO MANY TEACHERS IN THAT VIDEO.
>> WHAT'S BEEN AMAZING IS HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE RALLIED AROUND THIS PROGRAM AND RALLIED AROUND ME TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL.
SO, YOU KNOW, A YEAR AFTER WE STARTED, THE FIRST ELEMENTARY COOL TEACHERS CALLED ME UP AND SAID WE WANT TO DO THIS WITH OUR FIFTH GRADERS?
OF COURSE I SAID YES.
AND THEN IT GREW FROM THERE.
SO MANY OF OUR EDUCATORS HAVE WRITTEN CURRICULUM, TAKING ON NEW ROLES AT THE POLICY LEVEL OR WORKING AT THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE.
AND THE STUDENT STORIES, MANY OF WHOM ARE HERE AT GEORGIA TECH OR OTHER DIFFERENT PATHWAYS WORKING ON THEIR OWN COMPANIES.
SO IT'S AMAZING TO BE PART OF.
AND I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT MY TEAM.
CAREERS ARE BEING BUILT HERE BECAUSE OF THE TEAM THAT I PUT TOGETHER AND THAT WE BUILT.
>> WE HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT.
I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF THIS PROGRAM THAT YOU HAVE NOTICED ON THE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE.
>> I'M GLAD YOU ASKED.
SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE STUDYING IS INVENTTIVENESS.
HOW TO DEFINE IT, MEASURE IT AND CULTIVATE IT.
SO WE'RE LOOKING AT NOT JUST THIS INVENTURE PRIZE CURRICULUM, BUT FIGURING OUT WHAT THE IMPACTS OF IT ARE.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE NOTICED IS THAT STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE, IT REDUCES THEIR MATH AND SCIENCE ANXIETY, INCREASES THEIR INTEREST, AND INCREASES THEIR PERFORMANCE.
THAT'S JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.
OTHER TEACHERS CITED TEAM WORK, COMMUNICATION, PROBLEM SOLVING, ALL OTHER KINDS OF SKILLS.
>> THAT'S A GOOD LIST.
CONGRATULATIONS.
THANK YOU.
MAY THERE BE TEN TIMES TEN TIMES TEN TIMES YEARS MORE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO DR. MOORE.
[ APPLAUSE ] WE WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS IN YOUR PROGRAM.
ALL RIGHT.
NOW LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO POP BACKSTAGE WITH ASHLEY WHO IS STANDING BY WITH THE FINALISTS.
HOW ARE THINGS GOING BACK THERE, ASH?
>> OH, YEAH.
BETTER THAN EVER, FAITH.
I DECIDED TO ADDRESS THE OTHER FACTOR PRO-FELLING THEM TO GREATNESS.
THAT'S THE CHINESE ZODIAC.
2024 IS THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON, A CREATURE REPRESENTING POWER E CREATIVITY AND GOOD SUCCESS.
ANDREW?
>> PREPARATION IS ALWAYS GREAT, BUT THE FACT THAT -- I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE MET CHRIS CLAUSE, A MILLIONAIRE AND ALUM OF GEORGIA TECH.
HE HELMED US WITH INVENTURE.
>> LILY PAD?
>> WE'VE BEEN FEELING THAT DRAGON ENERGY FROM OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
>> NALO PACK?
>> DOZENS OF PEOPLE REACHED OUT DURING THIS PROJECT TO SHARE THEIR PERSONAL STORIES, EVERY TIME WE SHARE ONE OF THOSE, IT MAKES THIS ALL FEEL WORTH IT.
>> CANDOR?
>> WE FEEL THAT WE'RE DRAGON SPIRIT.
WHEN WE HEAR BACK FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THEY TELL US HOW MUCH WE HELPED THEM.
>> GREEK CONNECT?
>> WE ARE SO BLESSED BECAUSE OF YOU THAT SUPPORT US, ESPECIALLY T.J. MIDDLEBROOKS AND ALL THE PRIZE WINNERS THAT HAVE BEEN SO GENEROUS WITH THEIR TIME.
>> BREEZY, REAL QUICK, LIKE THE WIND.
>> YEAH.
WE'VE BEEN REALLY BLESSED TO GET ALL THE FEEDBACK AND TRACTION THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN IN TWO MONTHS.
IT'S BEEN A GREAT PROCESS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
EVERYBODY IS SUPPORTED BY THE DRAGON AND DRAGON SPIRIT.
GOOD LUCK.
FAITH, BACK TO YOU.
>> THE JUDGES ARE BACK IN THEIR SEATS.
THEY HAVE REACHED A DECISION.
SO TELL US, HOW DID IT GO?
WAS THIS A DIFFICULT DECISION?
>> VERY DIFFICULT.
>> DEFINITELY A DIFFICULT DECISION, BUT ALL THE TEAM WRS REALLY AMAZING AND BLEW US AWAY.
>> YES.
>> WAS IT UNANIMOUS WHEN YOU DECIDED ON THE WINNER?
>> IT WAS.
>> THERE'S NO ARM WRESTLING?
>> WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF DECIDING?
>> THERE'S SO MANY GOOD TEAMS AND GREAT IDEAS.
IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CHOOSE, YOU KNOW, WHICH SHOULD BE FIRST, SECOND, THIRD.
I WISH THERE WAS THIRD TEAM ALSO.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS.
AND NOW, IT IS FINALLY TIME TO LEARN WHO THIS YEAR'S INVENTURE PRIZE WINNERS ARE.
ALL RIGHT.
PEOPLE'S CHOICE VOTING IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED.
SO LET'S BRING ALL OF OUR FINALISTS BACK ON STAGE TO ASK THE JUDGES, WILL Y'ALL COME DOWN AND JOIN ME.
TO HELP US PRESENT THIS YEAR'S TROPHIES, WE HAVE A FEW PARTICIPANTS FROM OUR K-12 INVENTURE PRIZE.
SO PLEASE WELCOME MARISA DAVIS FROM THE SCHOOL OF LIVING SCIENCE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND FROM SOAK CREEK ELEMENTARY, SHAWN AND EMERSON TOY.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.
[ APPLAUSE ] MARISA, I'LL TAKE THAT FROM YOU NOW.
THANK YOU.
WE WILL KICK IT OFF WITH THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD WORTH $5,000.
AND IT IS TEAM CANDOR!
[ APPLAUSE ] CONGRATULATIONS.
ALL RIGHT.
MOVING ON WITH A CASH PRIZE OF $10,000, OUR SECOND PLACE WINNER, THANK YOU, OF THE 2024 GEORGIA TECH INVENTURE PRIZE IS -- TEAM MAKER PAPER!
[ APPLAUSE ] CONGRATULATIONS.
ALL RIGHT.
NAME ONE PERSON YOU WANT TO THANK.
>> I WANT TO THANK JESUS CHRIST.
>> JESUS.
>> JESUS IS VERY POPULAR HERE TONIGHT.
>> MY GRAND PA. >> MY FAMILY.
>> MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, Y'ALL.
>> HOLD THIS FOR ME.
THANK YOU.
ARE YOU READY FOR FIRST PLACE?
I AM -- THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
CAN I GIVE YOU THIS BACK?
THANK YOU.
I'M THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE RECIPIENT OF ACCEPTANCE INTO GEORGIA TECH'S CREATE STARTUP PROGRAM AND A CHECK FOR $20,000, THE WINNER OF THE 2024 GEORGIA TECH INVENTURE PRIZE IS -- TEAM LILY PAD!
[ APPLAUSE ] ALL RIGHT.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO SPEND THESE INVENTURE PRIZE WINNINGS?
>> OH, GETTING LILY PAD TO MARKET AS FAST AS WE CAN.
>> YEAH, JUST GETTING IT OUT ON THE MARKET AND HELPING AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
>> Y'ALL ARE GOOD TEAMMATES.
AND WHOM WOULD YOU LIKE TO THANKING?
>> DEFINITELY PROFESSOR WENDY FOR COMING BACK, DR. WAGNER AT EMERY, ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND BACK HOME WATCHING.
WE LOVE YOU GUYS.
>> YEAH, MY MOM, MY FAMILY.
RAUL AND ALL OF OUR FRIENDS THAT CAME TO SUPPORT US.
>> ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SURPRISING THING ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE FOR YOU?
>> DEFINITELY JUST ALL THE MENTORSHIP AND ADVICE WE HAVE GOTTEN.
IT'S BEEN, YEAH, PRICELESS.
>> I THINK IT'S PEOPLE'S REACTIONS.
I THINK WE WERE A LITTLE NERVOUS HOW PEOPLE WOULD REACT TO IT.
IT'S JUST BEEN EXCITEMENT AND REALLY REWARDING TO HEAR EVERYBODY'S RESPONSES.
>> I THINK DEFINITELY WE SEE THAT PEOPLE WANT A CHANGE IN WOMEN'S HEALTH, AND WE CAN SEE THAT ENERGY FROM PEOPLE, SO WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING THAT TO THEM.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, Y'ALL.
JUST LIKE THAT, WE HAVE COME TO THE END OF THIS YEAR'S GEORGIA TECH INVENTURE PRIZE.
IT HAS BEEN A PHENOMENAL CELEBRATION OF INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF TONIGHT'S WINNERS.
PEOPLE'S CHOICE, TEAM CANDOR, SECOND PLACE, TEAM PAPER MAKER, AND FIRST PLACE, TEAM LILY PAD HEALTH.
JOIN US FOR THE INVENTURE PRIZE BROADCASTING AND STREAMING LIVE TWO WEEKS LIVE AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY AT 7:00 P.M.
PLEASE GIVE IT UP FOR MY CO-HOST, ASHLEY.
AND OUR JUDGES, LEEANN, DONNIE, AND RAJ.
Y'ALL ARE FANTASTIC.
AND THE PLETHORA OF PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES AT GEORGIA TECH AND ON OUR PRODUCTION CREW WHO WORKED SO HARD TO BRING YOU THIS SHOW.
AND THANKS TO YOU, OUR AUDIENCE, FOR CELEBRATING OUR SWEET 16 WITH US.
AND THEY HAVE, EVER FORGET, NECESSITY MAY BE THE MOTHER OF INVENTION, BUT GEORGIA TECH IS YOUR DADDY.
GOOD NIGHT!
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] CONGRATULATIONS!
CONGRATULATIONS!
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY, GEORGIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING.
GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION.
AND THE GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.
>> THE CONFIDENCE TO COMPETE.
♪ ♪ THE CREATIVITY TO ADAPT.
THE INSPIRATION TO INNOVATE.
GEORGIA TECH, IGNITES PASSION AND POSSIBILITY.
BE SO BEHOLD.
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The InVenture Prize is a local public television program presented by GPB