Judges and winners of the 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»and eMerge Americas Startup Pitch Night gather after the event on Feb. 13. From left: Sean Malott president and CEO of the Central 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Development Council; Diane Vidoni, COO of eMerge Americas, Christin Strawbridge, president of Catapult Lakeland; Daniel Herrera, managing director and advisor at eMerge Americas; Brian Alvarez-Bailey, the community winner for his project, Allison; Arthur Guiot, the student winner for his app, Elva; Andreas Calabrese, general partner at Tampa Bay Ventures; and Adrian Muhammad, managing partner at Jackson | Shah & Co. and member of the 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly Foundation Board.
Four teams of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»students put their best foot forward at the eMerge Americas and 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly Startup Pitch Night on Monday, Feb. 13.
The event brought together student and community entrepreneurs, giving them the opportunity to present their business idea to a panel of judges. Winning teams received $2,500 and were given fast-tracked entrance to the eMerge Americas Startup Showcase 2023 in Miami Beach, 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» this April.
βWe were really impressed and we had great quality from both the student and community side,β said Diane Vidoni, COO of eMerge Americas. βIβm always fascinated by the ideas they have, and I love to hear what people ideate on and are passionate about.β
Arthur Guiot, a junior majoring in computer science, won the student competition for his app, Elva, an app that helps users organize events, get ideas for activities, and receive food and drink deliveries.
βOur idea is to connect groups of friends together and basically improve their Friday nights,β Guiot said. βAs an entrepreneur, itβs amazing to be able to do this. I think our product is great and we have a crazy amount of ideas that I hope to get the funding for to make them a reality.β
Eight students competed in the event.
βThis is a tech school and we have so many unique students here with tons of really fresh ideas,β said Alis Craig, a freshman majoring in computer engineering. βI think itβs great we have a chance to talk to people who can help us develop these ideas and encourage us to take them further.β
Craig and her teammates, Colby Manrodt and Michael Giraldo, presented the Aerial Sports Track Kit, a product of their business, Yellow Jacket Aerial Sports. The kit improves the data available in aerial drone race competitions, allowing for live updates to both racers and spectators.
βIβve been flying drones for about four years and recently I started getting into drone racing,β said Manrodt, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering. βAs I explored that world, I noticed the issue with courses not providing adequate data, and it surprised me to learn there wasnβt a solution for it because the solution to me seemed pretty easy.β
Other teams of students included pitches for Pocket Wheels, a skateboard wheel replacement option to allow for smoother rides over rough surfaces; and Real Estate Exchange, a company that will allow users to buy and sell portions of properties.
βAlbert Einstein said, βLogic will get you from A to B, but imagination will take you everywhere,β and thatβs why weβre here,β said Kathy Bowman, 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polyβs vice president of advancement and CEO of the 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»Foundation.
Members of the Lakeland, 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» community presented their ideas in a separate competition. These included entrepreneurial ventures such as Brewβn Up Barks, a dog-friendly bar and cafΓ©, and Allison, a startup connecting financial technology businesses to community banks.
The event was sponsored by the 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly Foundation and Central 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Development Council.
Arthur Guiot, a junior majoring in computer science at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polytechnic University,
won the eMerge Americas and 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly Startup Pitch Night student competition on
Monday, Feb. 13. He received a $2,500 prize and a fast track to eMerge Americasβ Startup
Showcase in Miami Beach this April.
Contact:
Lydia GuzmΓ‘n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
