The Boeing New Business Challenge finalists.
Claire Brown
On March 4, the VioClean team participating in the Boeing New Business Challenge earned first place, winning $8,000 in a $15,000 prize pool.
Andrew Zelinka, Layla Jeries and Ethan Punch are the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) students who won the 2022 edition of the Boeing New Business Challenge with their presentation of an ultraviolet garment warmer. Their product is intended to disinfect garments with its built-in ultraviolet lights while also warming them, and if desired, scented beads can be added to make them smell good. The product’s ultimate goal is to swiftly and conveniently freshen clothes. VioClean received $8,000 as the winner of the competition which will allow it to further develop and refine its product. For any business inquiries, VioClean can be reached at vioclean.uah@gmail.com.
Gaming Oasis composed of UAH students Fred Wiersig, Patrick Doolin, Christian Martin and Grant Whitt also participated in the competition and earned second place. Gaming Oasis is an esports production organization aiming to establish competitive gaming in the southeast with Huntsville as its base. The group is currently hosting the first official season of its esports league, the Southeastern Esports League (SEL), and plans to build a facility worth $3.5 million to host tournaments along with other gaming and entertainment events. Gaming Oasis received $5,000 as the runner-up of the event which will help the SEL continue hosting high quality esports competitions. Business inquiries for Gaming Oasis can be directed to Wiersig, who may be contacted at frederickw@hsvgamingoasis.com.
Finally, Krishnakumar Patel, Dylan Wright and Ben Puckett presented FitAI, a mobile phone fitness application that placed third in the competition. The application’s software scans a user’s body to recommend a personalized workout regimen and diet that adapts as the user’s body changes. Additionally, the app includes other functions like checking form while exercising and live group exercising. Completing the $15,000 prize pool, FitAI received $2,000 for placing third. FitAI may be reached at fitai7979@gmail.com for business inquiries.
The final round of the Boeing New Business Challenge consisted of three parts. First, each team was allotted 10 minutes to present their business work before several judges; three judges were Boeing representatives and the rest were UAH faculty from the College of Business. Next, judges had seven minutes to ask teams questions about their businesses. During the presentations and question sessions judges also filled out a scoresheet for each team. Finally, judges had 10 minutes to discuss their thoughts about each team amongst themselves and finish filling out their scoresheets. After the final presentation, Boeing representative, Alex Campos, and the Dean of the College of Business, Dr. Jason Greene, commended the students for their professionalism in their presentations and announced the results.
The Boeing New Business Challenge is an annual event hosted by the College of Business at UAH. Students of any discipline at UAH are invited to form teams to pitch business ideas for an opportunity to win thousands of dollars in scholarships. Applications for the next installment of the competition open this upcoming fall. Teams will participate in two rounds, one in the fall and one in the spring. To keep up with updates about the next Boeing New Business Challenge, follow the UAH College of Business on Facebook and Instagram.
