Encouraging Technological Innovations that Shape the Future

It all starts with an idea—one that is encouraged, cultivated, and given the space to thrive. At the University of San Diego (USD) Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, it is this model that is behind the Torero Entrepreneurship Challenge (TECh), an annual virtual competition where students from across the campus community compete for up to $20,000 in seed funding for entrepreneurial technological ventures. 

Funded by the Larry Kull Endowed Student Award in Engineering and Entrepreneurship, TECh encourages students to think outside of the box, and to put engineering principles into practice through a months-long journey of exploration, education and mentorship. All of this culminated in the April 11 selection of five finalist student teams and their business ideas—SCOUT, Keys to Success, BatteREVIVE, Lift Switch, and Uflo—with all moving ahead to the pitch competition on April 24.

Check out the student teams below for a sneak peek of the exciting innovations that they’ll be pitching at the 2024 TECh Competition.

Fostering Global Connectivity with Telecommunications Protection: SCOUT

Addressing underwater infrastructure concerns is the motivation for the business idea SCOUT, which will use “advanced underwater autonomous vehicles” to provide protection for critical telecommunications infrastructure. 

For team members Honorebel Walker, Mikaela Morris, Clareese Santiago and Cristian St. Clair, this is an increasingly relevant issue in a world where destabilization can occur through cyber attacks on digital infrastructure.

“This business idea embodies USD's Changemaker identity by prioritizing safety and expansion in the telecommunications sector,” says Walker. “[It] also enables companies to penetrate new markets previously inaccessible due to inadequate communication facilities…fostering global connectivity and development.”

Hands-on Learning Education: Keys to Success

Introducing more students to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields is the Keys to Success mission, being pitched by team members Nicole Ramirez, Ana Rusk and Tiffany Perez. 

“Our main value is affordable and hands-on learning education,” says Ramirez. 

This “do-it-yourself” model utilizes DIY keyboard kits to “promote creativity and excitement in the STEM world” while “encouraging educational curiosity through innovation with a self-taught component.”

Initially a smaller scale keyboard design, the team plans to expand to full keyboards and those that support a multitude of languages in the future. 

Sustainable Ways to Address Electronic Waste: BatteRevive

Addressing electronic waste is behind the business idea BatteREVIVE, which focuses on finding a “second-life application” for batteries in an effort “to design for humanity.”

For team members Gedeon Baende and Demili Pichay, it’s all about “creating a more sustainable culture around battery disposal,” with a circular economy approach that sees new potential for “waste.”

“Even though a battery no longer has the capacity to power its intended application, it should not just be treated as waste, as the remaining capacity may still have the potential to power another application.”

Human-Centered Design Approach for the Slopes: Lift Switch

Personal snowboarding experiences brought Josh Corvi, Derek Johnson, Mitch Seto, Paxton Earl and Noah Schliesman together for Lift Switch. With a human-centered design approach, they sought to address “pain points” many snowboarders experience on chairlifts.

“We address the widespread problem of ‘snowboarder’s ankle’ with a mechanical locking device that provides 90 degrees of rotation, thereby relieving a proven pain point,” says Corvi. “Additionally, we utilize a smart-binding system with IMU technology to provide valuable ride metrics and emergency functionality.”

For the team, it’s about ensuring accessibility and listening to the consumers. With software applications extending beyond snowboarding, prototyping is already underway.

Maximizing Learning Through Artificial Intelligence: Uflo

Harnessing the power of learning through artificial intelligence is the focus for Uflo. For team members Zach Kinzler, Joseph Defina and Sina Azizi, Uflo can “uncover the optimal interface between humans and machines for enhanced learning.” 

This includes the “potential for processing large-scale data, offering practice opportunities based on analytics, and suggesting, through real-world scenarios, application of knowledge for local actions with global impacts.”

For the team, this can make learning more accessible for students, who can experience a more personalized approach to education through technology. Focusing on this “optimal interface” will make “academic content more comprehensible” and enhance the learning experience for everyone.

Seed Funding for the Future

From addressing everything from the safety of underwater telecommunications infrastructure to hands-on learning opportunities, these ideas show how an interdisciplinary, Changemaker approach to entrepreneurship and technological innovation is positively shaping our world. 

For the finalist teams, the April 24 TECh event will be just the beginning as they look ahead to a future where their business ideas continue to grow. Be sure to register today for this virtual pitch event and watch as these teams demonstrate innovation and entrepreneurship in action. 

— Allyson Meyer