Over 200 people attended the 36th Paul J. Holloway Prize Innovation to Market Competition at Paul College on May 8.
It was a day of entrepreneurship and innovation as six teams of student entrepreneurs from across the University System of New Hampshire pitched their business plans to a panel of esteemed alums and industry-leading judges.
All the finalists came away as winners; congratulations to them all!
First Place: Drift-RMT
The Drift-RMT team emerged victorious, securing the $15,000 grand prize.
The winning team comprised Kara Wittmann, Riley Desmarais, William Moore from the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and Cameron Vose from Paul College.
Drift-RMT is a renewable ocean data collection device that uses wave motion for self-sustaining power. Ocean surface drifters collect data for climate modeling, severe weather prediction, and ocean navigation. Traditional drifters last about 18 months, but many die sooner. The Drift-RMT drifter is projected to last 4-6 years and tackles the issue of marine pollution from its battery-operated counterparts.
The team’s next challenge will be at the Marine Energy Collegiate Competition (MECC) in Portland, Oregon, later this month.
Honoring Other Innovators
The $10,000 second-place prize went to Trim-Able, the world’s first Bluetooth automatic nail trimmer, designed by Kyle Dimick of Plymouth State University to aid individuals with mobility challenges.
In third place, earning $5,000, was Info-P, a groundbreaking solution for detecting urinary tract infections developed by a team of UNH nursing students. Info-P also received the New Hampshire Impact Award for its potential significant benefits to the New Hampshire community and economy.
Runners-Up Contributions
The competition awarded $1,000 each to three runner-up teams: Centrip, a platform enhancing the study abroad experience; Rose Beauty, a skincare solution protecting against blue light exposure; and The After Grad Pad, a platform facilitating the transition from university housing to city renting.
Rose Beauty was the People’s Choice Award Winner, earning the team an additional $2,000.
Named in honor of Paul J. Holloway, an accomplished business leader and successful entrepreneur, the Holloway competition is USNH's premier business plan competition for undergraduate and graduate students.
Students from UNH, Plymouth State University, and Keene State College are invited to compete for cash prizes totaling $40,000 every year.
Click here for additional coverage of the 2024 Holloway Competition.
