Last year’s InVenture Prize finalists are working around the clock to bring their innovative solutions into the marketplace.
Published December 31, 2019
Soon entering its 12th year, the InVenture Prize at Georgia Tech is a groundbreaking competition that exacts months of intensive work from participants. It also provides them with invaluable guidance in design, collaboration, and marketing, and along the way they develop skills that will prepare them for real-world entrepreneurship.
But for some, making it to the finals — and even finishing in first place — is only the beginning.
What does success mean for those teams? Generally, it translates into even longer hours and harder work as students take their products from the realm of the possible into the realities of the market.
Here’s a look at what last year’s finalists, People’s Choice Award winner, and first- and second-place finishers are doing now.
Finger Flyer team members Austin Condict and Jacob Parker.
Finger Flyer
(Finalist)
“It’s the most intuitive thing that no one’s ever thought of.”
What is it?
A finger-controlled quadcopter drone.
The team is working on improving user experience and increasing personalization options. They anticipate releasing the product soon, patent pending.
Unfoldit team members Max Brauer, Ryan Miles, Jackie Elliot, Cliff Panos, and Michael Xu.
Unfoldit
(Finalist)
“If it’s not fun to do, no one’s ever going to pick it up and use it.”
What is it?
A gaming app that provides entertainment while also enhancing cognitive development and
spatial reasoning.
Unfoldit is focused on increasing user accessibility and creating new features to enhance user experience. The team plans to release an Android version in early 2020.
Nix team members Mohammed Aamir, Robert Patterson, and Cory Stine.
Nix
(People’s Choice Award)
“Instead of keeping you addicted to nicotine, it helps you quit.”
What is it?
An e-cigarette that automatically tapers users’ nicotine intake.
They are currently finalizing the fully functional prototype; their website allows consumers to preorder the device for delivery in early 2020.
TremorTrainer team members Colten Spivey, Nicolette Prevost, and Nisha Goddard.
TremorTrainer
(Second Place)
“For every user we talk to, there’s something new that this can help them with.”
What is it?
A weighted glove to help patients suffering from hand tremors carry out everyday tasks.
Having completed the packaging design, TremorTrainer is working on a patent while also making the glove more accessible and personalized.
Ethos Medical team members Cassidy Wang, Dev Mandavia, and Lucas Muller.
Ethos Medical
(First Place)
“We’re trying to give physicians X-ray vision, in the most realistic way possible.”
What is it?
An ultrasound-guided needle system designed to make spinal punctures safer, more accurate,
and less painful.
The winning team has produced a needle device, Iris, which works in tandem with a commonly used portable ultrasound. They are developing a business model to sell the device to hospitals.
Register TODAY for the 2020 InVenture Prize!
CREDITS
Video: Georgia Tech Social Media
Writer: Stacy Braukman
Design: Monet Fort