15 Students Share $4,000 in Fall IdeaStorm Winnings

Friday, September 23, 2022

Written by

University of Iowa JPEC

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Fifteen students shared $4,000 in prize money at the Fall IdeaStorm competition Sept. 22 in the Hawkeye Room in the Iowa Memorial Union. The event was presented by the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center.

First-place $500 winners were Owen Pullam (consumer solutions), Celia Hernandez (common good), Ivy Pan (creative concepts), and Joanna Moody (health initiatives).

A total of 32 individuals pitched their creative ideas. These students represented a variety of majors and areas of study making this competition a great example of multidisciplinary innovation across the University of Iowa campus. The top ideas selected by judges were awarded cash prizes, as well as a People’s Choice Award (Donald Gillis) that was selected by their peers.

IdeaStorm is an entry-level pitch competition open to all University of Iowa students. The competition is designed to introduce students to innovation by encouraging them share their idea in two minutes or less via an in-person pitch describing how they would solve a problem in a unique way. Students do not need a business plan, prior pitching experience, or a presentation to pitch — this allows them to enjoy a soft introduction to the world of entrepreneurship.

The event is sponsored by Jay and Cindy Greenzweigh (Health Initiatives), Michelle Bates and Ann Camblin (Common Good), and Nicole and Curtis Strait (Consumer Solutions).

Health Initiatives
Students shared ideas that help create better well-being through health care innovation.

$500 | Joanna Moody (Microbiology, Public Health)
Lyme disease screening test
$300 | Hannah McCumber (Biology Cell and Development)

Brace design for negating joint damage

$200 | Marissa Ulrich (Entrepreneurial Management)

Non-profit program pairing children with mental disorders with support animals

Creative Concepts

$500 | Ivy Pan (Enterprise Leadership)

Exercise and art program.

$300 | David Torrence (Enterprise Leadership)

Swimming goggles that look like sunglasses

$200 | Sebastian Olmos (Computer Science)

TikTok video organization and transcription app

Common Good

Students share ideas that inspire change through social and sustainable solutions that benefit the common good.

$500 | Celia Hernandez (Enterprise Leadership, Latino Studies)
Video call translating app
$400 | Jennifer Apitz (Enterprise Leadership)

Mobile curated thrift store

Consumer Solutions
Students share ideas that explore solutions to everyday problems through new products or services.

$500 | Owen Pullam (Pre-Business)
Heated stadium seat rental service
$300 | Katherine Esquivel (Psychology)
Disposable coffee cups with thermometer to prevent burns
$200 | Bailee Fogle (Enterprise Leadership)