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IdeaBounce® makes BIG Impact on Student Startups

Skandalaris Center
May 6, 2020
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WashU’s excitement for entrepreneurship continues with Olin’s Big IdeaBounce®. The Skandalaris Center is proud to support Olin Business School and Doug Villhard, Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship and Academic Director for Entrepreneurship, in this competition where students shared a two-minute video pitch for the chance to win up to $2,500.

The $20,000 prize pool was sponsored by Olin’s Entrepreneurship Program, the Skandalaris Center, Holekamp Seed Fund, and NSIN (National Security Innovation Network). Jake Laktas, NSIN University Program Director at Washington University in St. Louis, shared, "Olin's Big IdeaBounce is a prototypical example of the innovative thinking NSIN is seeking to cultivate and support at WashU. It was great to see such strong participation by the students and mentors. We look forward to supporting this platform as it continues to pull together WashU entrepreneurs in future iterations." 

The inaugural Olin’s Big IdeaBounce® featured pitches from students in a variety of WashU’s entrepreneurship courses, including the Hatchery, Management 150, Social Entrepreneurship, MBA Intro to Entrepreneurship, SMBA Entrepreneurial Capstone as well as the Skandalaris Center’s St. Louis Entrepreneurial Fellowship program.

Fifty student-led ventures received $250 prizes and validation of the potential of their project, from a distinguished panel of judges, comprised of entrepreneurs, VCs, startup mentors, and professionals from WashU's alumni network. Ten Honorable Mentions recognized promising teams of graduate and undergraduate student entrepreneurs to refine their concepts and continue their entrepreneurial journey.

The first and second place categories were awarded to graduate and undergraduate students. Pareto won first place and $2,500 among graduate teams. This came only one day after Pareto won first place and $10,000 in the 2020 Skandalaris Venture Competition, to prototype their proprietary infusion drug dispenser designed to address a multibillion-dollar medical inefficiency identified by Mitchell Lynn, Rachel Heymach and Kelly Coalier.

3Dux Design led by Ayana Klein took home the top prize of $2500 in the undergraduate category for her architectural modeling system, consisting of cardboard connectors and curriculum, which supports STEM education globally. Ayana is a Liberal Arts undergraduate student and member of the St. Louis Entrepreneurial Fellowship program through the Skandalaris Center. Last month, 3Dux Design was also named the winner of the 2020 Global Impact Award and received $20,000 to expand her entrepreneurial venture. Ayana plans to use a portion of the prize money to employ her fellow Washington University students as interns with 3Dux Design and offer educational opportunities to children, while schools are closed due to COVID-19.

The two-second place $1250 awards were given to Alms Banking, led by undergraduate Chase Kallhoff and Lifted Pouches, led by Olin MBA Candidate, Derek Leiter.

Congratulations to all the participants of the inaugural Olin’s Big IdeaBounce®!

Check out the Olin Blog to read more about Olin’s Big IdeaBounce® and the 50 runners up. https://olinblog.wustl.edu/2020/05/ideas-win-big-at-olins-first-bigidea-bounce/

The Skandalaris Center is excited to assist you along your entrepreneurial journey! Fill out our get connected form for information about our mentorship programs, Pop Up Support sessions, and more.