An immigration app and waste plastic conversion technology were two Science companies competing in Concept's Spring '22 $5K pitch competition. The competition offers the opportunity for University of Waterloo student led companies with innovative solutions and high potential business ideas to showcase their hard work and compete for grant funding.
During two nights of competition 20 hopeful student teams pitched to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs at the Concept $5K Semi-Finals. Each competitor had just 3-minutes to present their idea and convince the judges it has the potential and viability to succeed. Two companies featuring Faculty of Science students competed - From waste plastic to building material and NEXT: Immigrant Services All-in-One App.
NEXT: Immigrant
Services
All-in-One
App
Our
product
acts
as
a
bridge
to
information
and
service
gaps
that
will
help
immigrants
integrate
into
Canada
by
providing
essential
functions
including
housing,
language
barriers,
employment
opportunities,
etc.
Team
members:
Jia
Qi
Liu
(Science
and
Business),
Boon
Kent
Chin
(Arts),
Chenyong
Qin
(Engineering),
Miley
Xu
(Environment)
From
waste
plastic
to
building
material
Our
project
is
the
development
of
a
technology
to
convert
waste
plastic
into
a
construction
grade
material
when
combined
with
soil/sand
on-site
where
construction
is
to
take
place.
Team
members:
Master's
candidate
Boris
Nazareth
(Chemistry)
and
Prof.
Derek
Schipper
(Chemistry)
Out of the 20 companies competing only nine advanced to the finals, including NEXT.
Last Thursday, after almost three years and no in-person pitch competitions, Concept welcomed a packed house as students, faculty, friends and family filled the seats at the Concept $5K Final pitch competition. Four companies each won $5,000. The winning companies were: The President Braids, OrientaMED, Symphonic and Tako.
Voting for the People's Choice award is currently open. To vote, please visit Concept's YouTube channel and cast your vote by liking the video of the company you want to win.