IdeaStorms are entry-levels pitch competitions open to all UI students. These competitions are designed to introduce students to innovation by encouraging them share their idea in two minutes or less with their peers and a panel of judges. Students do not need a business plan, prior pitching experience, or a presentation to pitch – this allows students to have a soft introduction to the world of entrepreneurship.

A total of 91 individuals joined us at these competitions where they heard 46 UI students pitch their creative ideas. These students represented a variety of majors and areas of study making this competition a great example of multidisciplinary innovation across UI’s campus. The top ideas selected by judges were awarded cash prizes at each competition, as well as a People’s Choice award that was selected by students who attended the event.

As you will see below, this semester’s winning students represented a wide variety of academic areas. Congratulations once again to our Spring 2020 IdeaStorm winners!

Health Initiatives IdeaStorm – February 10 -  Hosted in Seamans Center
Students shared ideas that aim to help create a better well-being through health care innovation.

• 1^st Place, $500 | Aaron Silva (Engineering)
  • Catheter with fiber optics within it that allows for disinfection
• 2^nd Place, $400 | Anna Fox (Interdepartmental Studies and Pre-Dentistry)
  • ​​​​​​​Safer way for mobile dentistry clinics to dispose of biohazardous waste
• 3^rd Place, $300 | Ian Steinbrech  (Enterprise Leadership)  
  • Facetime for people who suffer from depression contemplating suicide
• People’s Choice $150 | Keri McKewen (Engineering) 
  • Workout app for people with mobility limitations

Creative Concepts IdeaStorm – February 11 – Hosted in Shaeffer Hall

• 1st Place, $500 | Stephanie Zullo (Pre-Business)
  • Lingerie Shapewear
• 2^nd Place, $400 | Addie Bushnell (English and Creative Writing
  • Hawkeye Publishing Press, opportunity for students to publish and sell works in local bookstores
• 3^rd Place, $300 | Jacob Sobel (Graduate Student, Business Analytics)
  • Golf Club Customization
• People’s Choice $150 | Emma Sherlock (Marketing)
  • Changeable and removable walker wheels to adapt to different terrain
• Judge’s Choice $200 | Mitchell Kabenda (Global Studies)
  • East African Apparel Line

Common Good IdeaStorm – February 13 -  Hosted in Gilmore Hall

Students shared ideas that inspire change through social and sustainable solutions that benefit the common good.

• 1^st Place, $500 | Ethan Bennett (Computer Science) 
  • App encouraging socialization between users by turning talking to each other into a game.
• 2^nd Place, $400 | Anaze Benedict (Psychology)
  • Online farmer’s market featuring locally sourced foods in eco-friendly packaging
• 3^rd Place, $300 | Erika Law  (Management)
  • ​​​​​​​Food Cents – Educational game for elementary students about nutrition and calories
• 4^th Place, $200 | Logan Fonken (Management)
  • Lug nut stopper
• 5^th Place, $100 (Tie) | Paris Sissel (Marketing)
  • Use recycled plastics from the ocean to make furniture
• 5^th Place, $100 (Tie) | Nicholas May (Pre-Law)
  • Living Essentials made out of biodegradable bamboo
• Honorable Mention, $50 | Keifer McCaw (Journalism)
  • App with a timing system to help people wean off of vaping
• People’s Choice | Erika Law (Management)
  • Food Cents – Educational game for elementary students about nutrition and calories

Consumer Solutions IdeaStorm – February 13 – Hosted at Pappajohn Business Building
Students shared ideas that explored solutions to everyday problems through new products or services.

• 1^st Place, $500 | Kristoff Poole (Business)
  • ​​​​​​​Proactive Homeless Help
• 2^nd Place, $400 | Kendall Stark (Mechanical Engineering)   
  • ​​​​​​​Lift chair device to assist disabled and elderly into lower sitting sedans
• 3^rd Place, $300 | Katie Westbrook   (English and Creative Writing)  
  • ​​​​​​​Virtual reality weld training simulator to train the basics of welding without the safety hazards and cost
• People’s Choice $150 (tie) | Kristoff Poole  (Business)  
  • ​​​​​​​Proactive Homeless Help 
• People’s Choice, $150 (tie) | Katherine Westbrook (English and Creative Writing)
  • Virtual reality weld training simulator to train the basics of welding without the safety hazards and cost
• Start Tomorrow Award, $200 | Nate Elsey Williams (Enterprise Leadership)
  • Trash and recycling pick-up service for high-rise apartment complexes
• Passion Project Award | John Larkin (Exercise Science)
  • High performance training focusing on physical/mental development for athletes and general public of all ages.

Congrats to all who participated in pitching their ideas!