The University of Utah Opportunity Quest, a collegiate business-model executive-summary contest, announced the top 10 teams today for 2020-21. These teams will be competing for a chance to win $10,000 in cash prizes, including a $5,000 grand prize. The winners will be determined on competition day, Jan. 28, 2021.
The competition is managed by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, a nationally ranked division of the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, and sponsored by Zions Bank.
“Each of these teams have innovative ideas that we are excited to showcase,” said Kearsa Rawson, student co-chair of Opportunity Quest.
Opportunity Quest competitions are held at colleges across Utah. Winning teams receive cash and in-kind prizes. 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 Utah for $60,000 in cash and prizes.
Learn more about Opportunity Quest at lassonde.utah.edu/oq.
University of Utah Opportunity Quest Top 10 Teams 2020-21
Here are the top 10 teams in the University of Utah Opportunity Quest for 2020-21. These teams will advance to the final judging on competition day. 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 patients 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.
2020-21 Competition Timeline
- Application Opens: Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, at noon
- Application Deadline: Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, at midnight
- Online Judging: Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, to Monday, Dec. 14, 2020
- Announce Top 10: Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, at midnight
- Top 10 Video Deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2021, at midnight
- Top 10 PowerPoints Due: Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, by 5 p.m.
- Competition Day: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021
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 new five-story innovation space and housing facility for all students. Learn more at lassonde.utah.edu.
