Santa Cruz Launchpad 2024 Pitch Competition Winners
Video filmed and edited by James Snell (snell.ajames@gmail.com) and Yuliya Monastyrska (ymonasty@ucsc.edu)
The 2024 Santa Cruz Launchpad event at the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove on May 29 saw a vibrant turnout with 12 student teams, 32 participating companies and organizations, and over 500 attendees. This bustling day of innovation and networking kicked off at noon with a dynamic pitch competition, where each team delivered a compelling 5-minute presentation. The standout teams from the pitch competition were recognized for their innovative ideas with a financial award and are listed at the bottom of this article.
A highlight of the event was the keynote speech by Chrissybil Boulin, a Haitian American entrepreneur and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in 2022. Boulin, who currently leads Vero Learning, a startup offering AI-powered vocational training, shared her journey and inspired the audience with her commitment to affordable and accessible education. She recounted her entrepreneurial beginnings with Jump Start Tutoring Center, a tutoring business launched with just $500, and emphasized her dedication to fighting poverty through education.
From 5-7pm, attendees had the opportunity to explore over 400 job openings across various sectors, including healthcare, education, finance, and technology, offering career seekers a diverse array of prospects.
The event was organized by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED) and the UCSC Innovation and Business Engagement Hub, in collaboration with Santa Cruz Works, Cabrillo College, Blackstone Launchpad, UC Santa Cruz QB3, and the City of Santa Cruz.
Full SC Launchpad 2024 Recording
Full SC Launchpad 2024 Recording
CHAPTERS: 09:35 Tallyrus 14:06 TerraNova Bio 20:54 ShowerTech 28:02 Done Today 36:29 Mirage Labs 43:18 Power Path 50:55 Collegiate 58:40 Hot Spot Creative 1:05:47 Operation Blue 1:12:36 Med Log 1:20:26 Light Links 1:27:55 Crisis Link 1:35:14 Introduction of Keynote Speaker Chrissybil Boulin 1:37:40 Chrissybil Boulin 1:51:01 Manel Camps & Organizers 1:52:49 Winners
Pitch Competition Awardees
Tallyrus
Tallyrus is a web application designed to address the time-intensive task of essay grading. Tallyrus uses AI to quickly and accurately assess student essays.
Social Impact Award Recipient: $6,000
TerraNova Bio
Using nature (fungi) to solve humanity’s greatest problem, plastic pollution.
Biotech/Health Award Recipient: $6,000
Climate Action Award Recipient: $10,000
Light Links Inc.
Connect to the internet through the Light coming from your home light bulbs! Reliable as Wi-Fi, fast as Light!
Technology Award Recipient: $6,000
Audience’s pick: $2,000
Done Today
An online platform connecting students who need money, to neighbors who need a helping hand.
Community Impact Award Recipient: $4,000
Shower Tech
The showerhead of the world: enrich the lives of the future through the actions taken in the present.
Runner Up: $2,000
MiRage
A virtual reality-based application that gamifies labs to make them more engaging and effective at demonstrating the scientific principles at play.
Runner Up: $2,000
Power Path
Solar panels for roads!
Runner Up: $2,000
Collegiate
Supercharge college admissions support through personalized mentorship.
Runner Up: $2,000
Hotspot Creatives
A platform for creatives by creatives.
Runner Up: $2,000
Operation Blue
Reshaping the future of the plastic economy in California, where pioneers of the materials future don’t just survive, they thrive.
Runner Up: $2,000
MedLog
More is possible daily with MedLog, a platform connecting chronic patients with family, doctors and other caretakers.
Runner Up: $2,000
Crisis Link
An independent communication network.
Runner Up: $2,000