2022 Finalists and Winners

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David CooperbergDAVID COOPERBERG

Hometown: Montreal, Canada

Major: Management

Class: Junior

 

The universal scanner is an all-encompassing product, putting all the power into the consumer's hands. This scanner will be similar to the others you may see employees of retail companies using; however, it is an attachment for the phone. The product's purpose is to allow the user access to all relevant information within the store, including prices, discounts, and the location of products. Once satisfied with the items the customers have, the scanner will allow you to check out independently from the app. With the payment method connected, all that is left to do is walk out. The service will be available to all retailers for a fee to have their company appear on the app. The target market is medium to large-size chain retailers. The scanner itself will also cost the buyer a one-time expense. This universal scanner will work in any affiliated store. All the customer has to do is enter which location they are in. The product can alleviate a store's employees, allowing them to focus attention on other aspects of the customer experience. The customers gain the ability to shop in-store with the same autonomy as online shopping.

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Ryan CortRYAN CORT

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

Major: Finance and Banking

Class: Junior

 

I would like to present EVoltz, the first electric vehicle charging station of its kind. EVoltz is a self-sufficient EV charging station that not only offers fast charging to its customers but also offers many amenities to its customers. Some of these amenities include workstations, convenience stores and even dining options while customers wait on their vehicles to charge. What makes EVoltz green and self-sufficient is that it is fully solar-powered. After strenuous research in solar power options, I have devised a strategic plan that could be implemented at EVoltz that would allow for not only the electric vehicle chargers to be run off solar energy but also the amenity stores. This sustainability tactic would also set EVoltz apart from its competition globally. Currently, the EV charging market is sitting at $84 billion and with just a mere 5% market share, EVoltz would yield over $4.2 Billion. EVoltz would be a perfect fit for the Big Idea pitch competition for its pledge to green energy and sustainability as well as its rapidly growing industry. 

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Grace DangerfieldGRACE DANGERFIELD

Hometown: Asheville, NC

Major: Business Management

Class: Senior

 

It's no secret that apps track our phones for data in order to market to us better. However, this is a breach of privacy, especially when you talk about a subject and the next thing you know it shows up on your Instagram. With this new app idea, Data Safe, it's no longer a problem. It's an app that is essentially a VPN blocker for social media apps such as Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, etc. While you can ask apps not to track you, many times you have to allow them access to be allowed to use the app. Instead of not having an app like TikTok, which is known for breaching customers' trust, you can use this app and still be safe. The app could be installed on any apple product, as well as Samsung, so it could work for Iphones as well as laptops. The app would also show you a monthly report of what information is being kept safe so that you know it's working.

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Haley Daniels

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD 

HALEY DANIELS

Hometown: Newland, NC

Major: Business Management

Class: Senior

 

My idea is an interactive virtual closet/outfit shopping app that would allow you to style outfits from anywhere. With retail marketing shifting more online, this innovation could revolutionize how consumers shop and style clothes on the web. Using artificial intelligence, the subscription model app would survey your style and preferences and recommend pieces from all across the globe through web scrapping. This could be obtained through retailer partnerships who would be able to access your style too. Another unique feature about this app would be that you could see the clothes on a 3d version of yourself (like a more realistic Bitmoji) that would have your similar body type with exact measurements, skin color, hair color, etc. This way, you can see exactly how the pieces look on you without having to try them on. With the scanned pieces already in your wardrobe, you can mix and match what you already own to pieces online that you can buy. For example, you could see exactly how those black business pants in your wardrobe would look like with that new blazer on the J.CREW website before buying. The app could also make new outfit combination suggestions based on your already-owned pieces. Overall, this app would stand out from other closet apps because it allows you to try out pieces on a realistic version of yourself without physically having to try them on, be able to shop your wardrobe online together, and style outfits from your smartphone.

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Sanders FullwoodSECOND PLACE WINNER 

SANDERS FULLWOOD

Hometown: Harrisburg, NC

Major: Finance and Banking

Class: Senior


An issue many students have is that they don’t have much experience cooking for themselves in a healthy, affordable, and creative way. Many students have not been taught how to create a meal plan, shop on a budget, and cook for themselves before coming to college. Finding recipes and creative resources can be a daunting task with so many ingredients and styles to choose from. This leads to indecisiveness and a waste of groceries. Planning for meals, acquiring groceries, and preparing food can add a lot of time to cooking that students may or may not have time to add to their busy schedules. Sous Easy is an app that empowers your inner chef by providing you with the recipes and skills to make cooking at home exciting and effortless. Our app would be more than a database of recipes. This would include features to help you learn cooking techniques, manage your pantry, and aid you while cooking to make cooking fun again. With a focus on UX/UI design, it would be an app that is simple to use for any demographic. Although our original focus is college students who want to learn how to cook, many other demographics would find Sous Easy helpful. Families could utilize meal planning, and pantry tracking features to organize their weeks. Health professionals could utilize the app to track what their patients are cooking and offer them healthy and easy recipes through the app. Sous Easy has many applications for every At-Home-Chef.

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Jacob KiddJACOB KIDD

Hometown: Greensboro, NC

Major: Industrial Design, Product Design Concentration

Class: Junior

 

The big idea that my team designed is SheltAir. This is an inflatable camping tent designed with people in mind who are bound to a wheelchair, whether it’s from a disability they were born with, a car crash, or an injury in combat. This tent can also be used by the elderly, or people with little knowledge of how to set up a tent. The tent is designed for two handicapped individuals and allows for ample space inside for maneuvering a wheelchair. The inflatable design allows it to be self-constructed in 5-8 minutes. The tent has an integrated pump that inflates as well as deflates the tent for easy setup and disassembly. Other features include a wide enough door for two wheelchairs to pass through, a rollout plastic and foam floor mat under the tent for ease of use over rough terrain, a door operated by a pulley system at waist level for easy entry, sandbags to keep the tent sturdy and eliminating tent stakes that can be difficult to drive into the ground, and integrated air mattresses that inflate with the structure. This makes it easy for someone who is wheelchair-bound to get out and enjoy the fresh air at a lower cost than any of the competing Americans with Disabilities Association (ADA) while offering a wider range of features. All of these efforts help make it easier for a handicapped individual to enjoy the outdoors and be independent for only $399. Easy as a breath of fresh air, choose Sheltair.

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Taylor PittFIRST PLACE 

TAYLOR PITT

Hometown: Boone, North Carolina

Major: Industrial Design - Product Design

Class: Senior

 

When on the trail or camping many people bring silverware. They also often bring spices or salt and pepper. Packing space is at a premium when it comes to what you can haul on a trip, so being able to limit how much you carry on your back or in your pack is essential. What better way to conserve space than to use negative space in a positive way? By putting salt and pepper in separate handles of silverware you eliminate the extra containers you’d normally try to cram into your already overstuffed pack. I have a plan to add a dispensing system in the handles of the cutlery. This camping silverware would allow the hungry camper to turn the handle and push their selected spice out of the ends. A rubber cap would ensure no spillage inside your bag. Trailware would come as a set: a fork with a handle for pepper, a spoon with a handle for salt, and a knife for the hiker or camper to add whatever spice they’d like. Where will you take your Trailware?

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James SmithJAMES SMITH

Hometown: Pinehurst, NC

Major: Marketing and Sales

Class: Senior

 

My idea is a pedal that raises and lowers a toilet seat. There is also another section of the pedal that when pressed, flushes the toilet. This eliminates the need to touch public or private toilet seats. The pedal would be compatible with any toilet and improve overall cleanliness.

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River SmithSECOND PLACE WINNER 

RIVER SMITH

Hometown: Halibut Cove, Alaska

Major: Industrial Design, Product Design

Class: Senior

 

 

 

Addison Meink

ADDISON MEINK

Hometown: Lexington, SC

Major: Industrial Design, Product Design

Class: Senior

 

We are looking to start a van life conversion and rental business in Homer, Alaska. We have both grown up in the Pacific Northwest and believe there’s a huge area of opportunity to establish our business in one of the top tourist destinations in the world. With our skills and knowledge of industrial design, we will convert simple passenger vans into extremely capable, comfortable, and livable vehicles. Beginning with a single van, we plan to serve Homer and steadily acquire more vans, eventually forming a fleet and possibly expanding to other locations. From branding ideation to conceptual product development, we are continuously building our assets to properly launch this brand. Our company’s name will be called Faar North, which is a common nickname for the state of Alaska. Faar North will provide extremely unique and memorable experiences for many of the millions of people who visit Alaska each year. Most van rental businesses in Alaska are located in Anchorage, but Homer, Alaska is the end of the US highway system and has a gigantic tourism industry. We would fill that gap and become a unique starting point for a van life journey. Our goal is to eventually build a fleet of vans that will allow custom user experiences for families, pet owners, couples, lone wolves, and more. Whether our clients want to stay a few nights at a local campground or venture out into the unknown, we will provide freedom in the Faar North.

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Bulong ThaoBULONG THAO

Hometown: McGrady, NC

Major: Marketing

Class: Senior

 

Do you have an elderly dog that has a hard time moving around or an injured pet that needs help? As I was taking my dog to go outside to use the bathroom, I saw that she was having a hard time getting up and laid back down on her bed. I got worried that she wasn’t going to make it, so I tried to carry her, even though she is big. I had a hard time carrying her while trying not to hurt her as well. I thought to myself, I wish there was an easier way for me to transport her without hurting her. Introducing Stretch-EZ, a portable pet stretcher with wheels to make it easier to transport your furry little friend. It’s easy to collapse and put back.