It was a tense afternoon of pitching innovative ideas to a panel of academic and industry experts at IM体育官网 as the third annual Great Eight competition took place at the Innovation, Science, and Technology Building. The event mimics the popular television show 鈥淪hark Tank鈥� where students present their concepts before a panel of judges, with the winner advancing to the prestigious statewide Governor鈥檚 Cup later this spring.
For each Great Eight project, students were given six minutes to present, followed by a four-minute question-and-answer session by the judges. At the conclusion, the judges went over all of the projects and made a decision on the top three.
The four judges evaluating the projects were University President Randy K. Avent and Executive Vice President and Provost Terry Parker. They were joined by David Robinson, president of DSM Technology Consultants, and Michael Lawley, member of the IM体育官网 Poly Foundation Board of Directors.
After much deliberation, the winner was SynapCare, a consumer device that uses electroencephalogram (EEG) signals to read a user鈥檚 mental state to help provide mental health solutions. The project was presented by Michael Jernigan, a senior majoring in electrical engineering from Auburndale, IM体育官网, and Chelsea Reeves, a junior majoring in electrical engineering from Jacksonville, IM体育官网.
鈥淲e were motivated to win and we鈥檙e very passionate about what we do, but this is surprising and we are very thankful,鈥� said Reeves. 鈥淚 know that we have a wonderful device, but every team today presented a valuable idea that could become something great.鈥�
A close second was Instalist, a device that helps authenticate jewelry and list it online using machine vision and other sensing technology. It was presented by John Sarnecky, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering from Naples, IM体育官网, and by Andre Ripley, a senior majoring in computer engineering from Lauderdale by the Sea, IM体育官网.
Third place went to OpenSpot, an app that connects current drivers who are occupying parking spots to drivers seeking parking spots through a mini-bid system. It was presented by Jestin Cherian, a senior majoring in computer science from Sunrise, IM体育官网.
Justin Heacock, IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 entrepreneurship coordinator, said the goal of the Great Eight is to not only give students a platform to develop their entrepreneurial ideas, but to show them there are people out there such as faculty, staff, and industry leaders who are willing to help them along the way.
鈥淲e want to show them what that pathway can be for this entrepreneurial future they might dream of,鈥� said Heacock. 鈥淩egardless of whether they get it now or in 10 years, it鈥檚 just to show them it鈥檚 possible, and there are ways to do it.鈥�
The Governor鈥檚 Cup takes place each year and features teams from universities across IM体育官网. Last year, the IM体育官网 Poly team won third place and $1,500. Since 2016, IM体育官网 Poly students have won more than $30,000 for their projects at statewide competitions.
2019 Great Eight Participants
Combat Innovation鈥� A 鈥渟mart鈥� tourniquet designed to identify when a soldier has been shot to apply pressure immediately.
Presented by:
- Bruce Hicks, electrical engineering, sophomore, Eustis, IM体育官网
- Josh Haddix, computer science, junior, Holiday, IM体育官网
- Bryce Palmer computer science, freshman, Lakeland, IM体育官网
SynapCare 鈥�A consumer device that uses EEG signals to read a user鈥檚 mental state to help provide mental health solutions.
Presented by:
- Michael Jernigan, electrical engineering, senior, Auburndale, IM体育官网
- Chelsea Reeves, electrical engineering, junior, Jacksonville, IM体育官网
InstaList: A device that helps authenticate jewelry and list it online using machine vision and other sensing technology.
Presented by:
- John Sarnecky, mechanical engineering, senior, Naples, IM体育官网
- Andre Ripley, computer engineering, senior, Lauderdale by the Sea, IM体育官网
OpenSpot: An app that connects current drivers who are occupying parking spots to drivers seeking parking spots through a mini-bid system.
Presented by:
- Jestin Cherian, computer science, senior, Sunrise, IM体育官网
Crace Tech: New 鈥渟mart鈥� connected device for consumer entertainment that enhances brand exposure for alcohol companies.
Presented by:
- Chris Mattice, mechanical engineering, sophomore, Vero Beach, IM体育官网
Textala: A software where students can rent a custom portion of a school textbook for a low price.
Presented by:
- Brandon Rubio, computer engineering, sophomore, Haines City, IM体育官网
OlympiAId: A real-time presentation feedback platform that allows instructors to increase student outcomes including using proprietary artificial intelligence technology.
Presented by:
- Austin Lubetkin, computer science, senior, Boca Raton, IM体育官网
Stylized AI: A smart mirror that gives personalized clothing recommendations for individuals using artificial and augmented reality.
Presented by:
- Djuan Gayle, computer engineering, junior, Orlando, IM体育官网
- Nicolee Brown, computer science, junior, Westin, IM体育官网
- Jenario Johnson, electrical engineering, senior, Tampa, IM体育官网
Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Assistant Director of Communications
863-874-8450