Teams of graduate and undergraduate students at Augusta University presented what they believe can be solutions for real-world challenges.
They competed in the 6th Annual INNOVATE Pitch Competition hosted by the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center. The first competition in 2019 was to find solutions for a 15-year-old girl who was living with a colostomy bag, one of an estimated half-million people with the same challenge.
Teams were given five minutes to present their solutions to solve a local challenge and improve the community. The pitches were given to a panel of judges that this year included Cynthia Rhodes of Rhodes Porter, a business development logistics management company.
“We are here observing all of the new innovations coming here through our students, through Augusta Tech, Augusta University, as well as our entrepreneurship community,” she told ABD. “We are creating, a whole system, a community of thinkers and innovators. I am so excited about what they have come up with this year.”
Rhodes referred to a change in this year’s competition. In addition to students, INNOVATE this year featured an entrepreneur’s track, thanks to a contribution from Vinea Capital.
“We had President Keen (Russell Keen, President of Augusta University) open the event up. He really touched on the fact that he views AU and the Georgia Cyber Center not just as a resource to the students, but as a resource to the community,” said Allan Soto, Vinea’s Founder and CEO. “Being able to pull the community into this competition, just think of how much exponentially we can grow the idea base by tying in the community to it.”
Rhodes agreed, saying, “It can definitely be a game changer, because it does say that we still see you. We value you, and we are here to support you as a city, as a community.”
INNOVATE is sponsored by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Lynsey Steinberg, Director of Innovation at the Cyber Center, said local businesses can be guiding mentors who are giving back to the community.
“That’s really what we’re here for, and that’s what the innovative spirit is all about. It’s not just producing new technology for the fun, creative side of producing new tech,” she said. It’s for helping people in the community. I think this is the empowerment of that entrepreneurial spirit that we’ve been really looking for, and we cannot do it without incredible partners like Allan Soto and Vinea Capital.”
Steinberg noted that another business participating this year was one of Richmond County’s largest companies, Aurubis Richmond, LLC.
“It leads back to economic development for the entire region, both sides of the river. What can we do to solve some of these problems as a community?” she said. “Partners, like bringing in Aurubis with our economic development authorities, we work with Cal Wray (Augusta Economic Development Authority) identifying partners who want to contribute and be a part of some of the student success. That’s the cycle of life; that is what’s truly going to change for the betterment of Augusta.”
The following photos were provided by Augusta University.
This year’s winners were:
VINEA CAPITAL ENTREPRENEUR WINNER:
Shaun Andrews for MindHac, an AI app designed to help children with autism.
AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE WINNERS:
First Place Sponsored Award by Aurubis: Patrick Rimbey – College of Science and Math, Physics and Biophysics, for AeroSniff, an air chemical sensor designed to be easy to use and cost efficient.
AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY GRADUATE WINNERS:
First Place Sponsored Award by Aurubis: Chandler Covert – College of Allied Health Sciences, Physician Assistant Program, for Easy Dose It, a pill organizer to help people track their medications.
