Clean Seat, a toilet seat that prevents messes caused by common negligence, won first place and the $4,000 grand prize at the 2020-21 University of Utah Opportunity Quest business-model, executive-summary competition today. Ten teams advanced to the final judging and awards event hosted online via Zoom. The competition is managed by students at the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute and sponsored by Zions Bank and Bank of the West.
Other top teams included the second-place winner uAir (which won $2,000), the third-place winner Parq ($1,000), the best-video winner H2OWake ($500), and judge’s award winners Haven Rest and Kurl Up ($250 each). See below for a complete listing and descriptions of all the finalist teams.
“Opportunity Quest provides student entrepreneurs the chance to make their business ideas a reality,” said Suraj Ramkumar, the student co-chair for Opportunity Quest. “These 10 teams put forth their best efforts, and I am astounded at the level of professionalism that these teams had as our event was moved virtual.”
Clean Seat won the grand prize with a toilet seat that prevents messes.
Clean Seat is a retrofittable toilet seat that prevents messes caused by common restroom negligence. The seat’s mechanism automatically rests in the upright position while it is not in use so that it is removed from areas prone to stray urine or debris. The mechanism also has a built-in delay system so that the seat will remain lowered for a few seconds after use before moving back to the upright position.
The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, a top-10 ranked division of the David Eccles School of Business, hosts branch Opportunity Quest competitions across the state at partner universities. Participants are judged by industry experts based on the quality of their submission and pitch. Winning teams at Opportunity Quest receive prize money, and the first-place winners advance into the top 20 of the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge, where they will develop a full business model and compete against students across the state of Utah for $60,000 in cash and prizes.
All university students in the state of Utah are welcome to apply now to enter the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge. The application is open until Feb. 8, 2021. Apply online and learn more at lassonde.utah.edu/uec.
Learn more about Opportunity Quest at lassonde.utah.edu/oq.
Winner Announcement Video
Top 10 Teams 2020-21
Here are the top 10 teams in the University of Utah Opportunity Quest for 2020-21. They are listed in alphabetical order:
- Clean Seat: A toilet seat that prevents messes caused by common negligence and is convenient for all users.
- Fitness Academy: A premium, live-in, fitness, and weight-loss program designed for working professionals in metropolitan areas that provides a nutritionist, personal trainer, and housemates.
- H2OWake: A smart water bottle that also functions as a modern alarm clock tied to sleeping patterns. This product will enable consumers to wake up more efficiently.
- Haven Rest: A packable, lightweight travel lounger for infants 0-6 months that is high quality and safe for continued use.
- Impact.EDU: Two database management services, Scholar Scout and Donor Scout, that aim to streamline the administrative process and empower students and institutions by improving the existing scholarship database and provide a secure place for donor financial transactions.
- Kurl Up: A line of affordable, high-quality hair products that are targeted towards consumers with curly hair. The products have formulas that nourish and strengthen hard to tame hair.
- Medical Innovation Laboratories: A company that develops, licenses, and sells solution-based medical technologies that aim to help medical practitioners improve patient care.
- O2Go: An add-on to existing two-wheeled walkers for patients who require an oxygen tank. This allows patients to have a hands-free solution to carrying their oxygen and using their walker.
- Parq: A peer-to-peer platform that allows home and business owners to rent out their unused parking spaces.
- uAir: An innovative new inhaler that addresses the patient’s need for portability and the physician’s need for accessibility. It will allow patients to have a rescue readily available that best addresses their disease state.
About the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute
The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute is a nationally ranked hub for student entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Utah and an interdisciplinary division of the David Eccles School of Business. The first programs were offered in 2001, through the vision and support of Pierre Lassonde, an alumnus of the Eccles School and successful mining entrepreneur. The institute now provides opportunities for thousands of students to learn about entrepreneurship and innovation. Programs include workshops, networking events, business-plan competitions, startup support, innovation programs, graduate seminars, scholarships, community outreach and more. All programs are open to students from any academic major or background. The Lassonde Institute also manages Lassonde Studios, a five-story innovation space and housing facility for all students. Learn more at lassonde.utah.edu.
