The University of Central Florida’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Ideas Competition. This event showcases students’ ideas for addressing essential problems with innovation and startup venture proposals. This year’s competition required students to submit 2-minute idea pitch videos that experienced experts judged from Orlando’s entrepreneurship community. This inclusive competition offered opportunities for students to share solutions in four tracks spanning the interests of disciplines across our campus – Technical Innovation Solutions, Social and Health Solutions, Culture and Entertainment Solutions, and Retail Products and Services. The winners of each track earned $1,000 each.
Technical Innovation Solutions Track: The winner is Elizabeth Trader (PhD, Computer Engineering) with their idea for RentalPI. This solution addresses problems with assessing rental properties by combing through large swaths of independently verified data using machine learning to provide scores and overviews similar to a credit score for an apartment complex.
Social and Health Solutions Track: The winners are Milagros Camargo (BS, Economics) and David Ramirez (BS, Finance) won with their idea for BUDDY. This solution addresses problems faced by overburdened mental health professionals with an AI-powered chatbot that conducts initial consultations, offers tailored insights, generates referrals to local providers, and automates patient intake processes.
Culture and Entertainment Track: The winner is Max Wang (BS, Mathematics) with their idea for Kava Cafe. This solution addresses problems for those seeking social engagement opportunities that don’t feature alcohol by offering an alternative non-alcohol bar that fosters community and features hand-squeezed libations made with kava powder.
Retail Products and Services Track: The winner is Alina Gonzalez (BS, Environmental Engineering) with their idea for Pickles’ Prints. This solution addresses problems for Moster High doll collectors by offering 3D-printed Monster High doll replica accessories for half the cost of original, highly collectible accessories.
The Ideas Competition is an annual event by UCF’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. It empowers ALL UCF students with entrepreneurial mindsets and skillsets, connects students to entrepreneurial career paths, and supports student-led startups. These contributions support graduates’ career readiness and professional success and enrich UCF’s entrepreneurial culture and economic impact.