Students Pitch Innovative Ideas for Tech for Social Impact in Jones Idea Challenge Corporate Reverse Pitch

2020 Jones Idea Challenge Winners
February 28, 2020

On Friday, February 28, 2020, fifteen student teams participating in the Jones Idea Challenge Corporate Reverse Pitch pitched their ‘intra-prenurial’ ideas to a panel of company judges and a packed room of students, coaches, and faculty.

In its inaugural year, the Jones Idea Challenge is a competition for undergraduate entrepreneurial-driven students. It challenges them to solve real company problems by working with a team business coach and compete for $5,000 in cash prizes. In the end, the Jones Idea Challenge produces innovative student solutions for real business problems.

The Jones Idea Challenge is funded by the Herbert B. Jones Foundation, which also supports other IEC programs, including the Harriet Stephenson Business Plan Competition and the Jones Progress Awards

Five companies, including Giving Tech Labs, Oleo, Keiretsu Forum NW, Delta Dental of Washington, and Encora, pitched their real-world societal problems along the theme of ‘Tech for Social Impact.’ Undergraduate students from the Albers School of Business and Economics, the College of Science and Engineering, and the College of Arts & Science formed teams and selected problem to tackle. Each team was then personally matched with a local professional volunteer to create an innovative solution.

Sharon Ideguchi and Veronica Garcia (Team Sheronica) won first prize for their solution to Giving Tech Labs’ reverse pitch problem. Giving Tech Labs presented the problem that sexual assault survivors don’t have convenient access to with the essential resources to seek the help or assistance they need. Team Sheronica designed a widget that offers personalized resources through simple user experience and empowering language. Their widget is easily accessible on all devices and can be accessed easily through a QR code, the internet, or text message.

FIRST PLACE: $2500

Team Sheronica: Sharon Ideguchi and Veronica Garcia

Coach: Michael Morrow

SECOND PLACE: $1500

Team Ryshun: Ryshun Sampson

Coach: Alex Andrade-Walz

 Ryshun Sampson at the 2020 Jones Idea Challenge Finals

THIRD PLACE: $1000

Team Double Trouble: Alejandro Ramirez and Jaidev Vella

Coach: David Prindle

 Alejandro Ramirez and Jaidev Vella at the 2020 Jones Idea Challenge Finals

From team coaches, students, and companies, there are many people essential for the Jones Idea Challenge to be successful. The Albers Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center would like to thank the team coaches who provided invaluable leadership and guidance to the teams: Brien Kennedy, Mark Orzech, Kristian Swank, Jessica Bishop, Kathryn Gardow, Barna Mahapatra, Michael Morrow, Alex Andrade-Walz, Jeff Levy, Samuel Mwangi, David Prindle, Erik Soper, Joe Vogel, Claire Dillow, Angela Kelly, and Stuart Walton.

2020 Teams:

Bon Bons

   Benjamin Carlson

Future Founders

   Tanir Guzay

   Thariq Satrio

   Xiaolin Huang

Good Green Boys

   Jin Lee Gunvalson

   Martin Wilson

   Stanley Huang

Alpha

   Vy La

KA Ladies

   Amber Larsh

   Kelsey Crowder

Team Sheronica

   Sharon Ideguchi

   Veronica Garcia

Widget Women

   Emmelene Guzon

   Francesca Loo

   Natalie Trinh

Team Christopher Gibbons

   Christopher Gibbons

Double Trouble

   Alejandro Ramirez

   Jaidev Vella

KKDS

   Katrina Kearsley

   Dhruv Sarda

Team Name

   Andrew Park

   Kaan Kramer

Ryshun

   Ryshun Sampson 

Team Ironman

   Emilio Monroy

99

   Ngan Duong

   Thao Nguyen

The Boat Boys

   Bobby Murray

   Derek Heath