The bar is high and competition is fierce for student entrepreneur teams at the University of Utah. During the spring 2016 semester, the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute’s Get Seeded program received over 200 applications from the student teams to receive funding for their business ideas. Of these, 44 were awarded funding totaling $81,000 in grant money to develop their ideas into successful businesses.
The Get Seeded program is funded by Zions Bank and managed by students in partnership with the U’s StaC program. U MBA student and co-president of Get Seeded, Jake Mendenhall said, “One of the greatest things about the program is that it is for students, by students. We all help each other with ideas and critical feedback. You can’t ask for a better way to learn how to fail and, more importantly, learn how to succeed as an entrepreneur.”
The program allows students from all over Utah to apply for funding. This year’s awardees included ideas for specialized outdoor climbing and communication gear, robotic surgical lighting systems and virtual reality police training simulators. To receive funding, students apply online where they are judged and given feedback on how well they are executing lean startup principles. After which, the top teams from each month are given several minutes to pitch the idea in front of the audience, who ultimately decides whether they get the funding or not.
Jared Pieper, a U MBA and mechanical engineering graduate student expressed his excitement in helping run the program next year: “I have been so impressed with the hard work and determination we get in our program. You can tell that the teams are very passionate about their ideas, but they are even more passionate about making a difference. The program is definitely growing and I am excited to see the great ideas we will get next year.”
If you have an idea, would like to judge, or would like assistance developing an idea, please reach out and get involved in the Get Seeded program. Learn more at: lassonde.utah.edu/getseeded.
Here are the projects that received funding in the Spring 2016 semester:
Round 1
- Hometown Advantage, $950 – A flag fundraising to represent local teams on game day.
- Hive Genomics, $1,450 – A platform to accelerate genetic research.
- Field Vision Systems, $2,442 – A lidar-based crop monitoring device.
- PCM Thermal Management, $440 – A new material to mitigate lithium ion battery heat issues.
- Backcountry Ascent Tools, $2,500 – A packable snowshoe designed for steep ridgelines.
- Sybo Technology, $1,232 – Robotic surgical lighting and instrument tracking system.
- Lone Peak Headset, $2,000 – A headset that climbers can use to communicate with one another.
- Jefferson Pen, $470 – A pen that can digitally record writing on any surface.
- Tive, $2,450 – Platform to monetize hotel WiFi systems.
- Ambendo, $730 – A telemedicine imaging device for physical therapy.
- UClash, $930 – An online debate platform.
Round 2
- Eco Pigeons, $500 – A biodegradable clay pigeon.
- Funeral Services, $1,715 – A low cost funeral home.
- Catum Carrier, $800 – A sleek back pack and baby carrier combo.
- Uterine Vacuum Assisted Contraction (UVAC), $2,000 – Medical device to treat postpartum hemorrhaging.
- SenseTech, $731 – A crop monitoring system.
- EMS Trauma Report, $1,350 – An information platform to streamline trauma patient treatment.
- Pediatric Oxygen Delivery, $1,400 – A comfortable, wearable oxygen delivery system
- Backcountry Ascent Tools, $2,900 – A packable snowshoe designed for steep ridgelines.
- ActiviGame, $1,655 – An interactive projector game.
- Utah Tonsil Clamp, $3,500 – A medical device to prevent bleeding with tonsil removal.
Round 3
- Runout Resole, $1,500 – A new way to re-sole rock climbing shoes instead of throwing them out.
- Dinner at Yours, $1,150 – An at-home food service.
- EMS Trauma Report, $1,820 – An information platform to streamline trauma patient treatment.
- Glo Light, $3,500 – A disposable speculum light.
- UClash, $1,350 – An online debate platform.
- FormaZorb Full Thickness, $1,800 – An imitation skin to allow open caskets for donors.
- Signal Discovery, $2,400 – eDiscovery made easy for small attorneys.
- MyRVdestinations.com, $2,950 – A comprehensive RV travel guide and rating platform.
- The Little Hemmingbird, $1,900 – Modern, stylish children’s clothing business.
- Sybo Technology, $1,870 – Robotic surgical lighting and instrument tracking system.
Round 4
- MyRVdestinations.com, $3,475 – A comprehensive RV travel guide and rating platform.
- TEG Flue, $770 – Thermal-electric generator that uses wasted flue heat.
- Backcountry Ascent Tools, $3,350 – A packable snowshoe designed for steep ridgelines.
- PCM Thermal Management, $1,800 – A new material to mitigate lithium ion battery heat issues.
- Jefferson Pen, $863 – A pen that can digitally record writing on any surface.
- Smart Stream, $3,500 – An audio streaming mixer.
- Renaissance Astronaut, $990 – A motivational video game using gamification psychology theory.
- TV Audio Transmitter, $1,600 – A home WiFi audio transmission system.
- Priivue, $3,499 – A virtual shopping software to try it (virtually) before you buy it.
- BEST Police Training Simulator, $2,500 – Virtual reality de-escalation police training device.
- Bon Appetit Crepes, $1,700 – An on-campus crepe cart.
- V Thunder, $2,500 – Luggage set with exchangeable cases.
- Barolock Hip, $1,850 – Longer lasting hip implant.
