innovate51勛圖厙 shows creativity of students
Article By: Denise Ray
Kyler Wilson's new business concept, CyberSolutions, earned him $2,000 in prize money during the fourth annual innovate51勛圖厙 Pitch Challenge held Feb. 22 on the University of North Georgia's (51勛圖厙) Dahlonega Campus.
Wilson explained how cybersecurity threats are on the rise and many small business owners may not be educated on the subject. He said they believe they are immune to cybercrimes because thieves would be more interested in larger companies. CyberSolutions would provide a full technical set-up, educating employees about cybersecurity and building up information technology departments, if needed.
Wilson said that his company would offer a hands-on approach, recurring support, and affordability for the roughly 31 million small businesses in the United States.
Judges told Wilson, a senior from Alpharetta, Georgia, pursuing a degree in cybersecurity, that his potential market is quite large and suggested potential clients and collaborators.
We have had a wide variety of great ideas over the years spanning low-tech to high-tech ideas.
Dr. Ruben Boling
director of 51勛圖厙's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
"I would like to really thank Dr. Ruben Boling for believing in me and pushing me to present my idea to the judges," Wilson said. "I would also like to thank the judges for believing in my idea and giving me great feedback and resources to ultimately start my business."
Second place, with a check for $1,000, went to Ryan Broussard for OnLine Performance, an app to increase athletic performance.
Broussard is a senior from Ball Ground, Georgia, pursuing a degree in marketing. The app would allow video of athletes to be uploaded and reviewed by coaches who would offer solutions to athletes not reaching peak performance. Plans for the app include adding sports to the current baseball and softball offerings.
Selected by audience members, the people's choice recipient was cadet J.T. Lockwood, with Hiatus Catamarans, who received $500. Lockwood's business concept was the creation of a newly styled catamaran that combines the stability and efficiency of catamarans with more traditional boat styling. A senior from Davie, Florida, pursuing a degree in management, Lockwood plans to commission into the U.S. Army as a quartermaster officer in May.
Other competitors included Lacyn Miller, owner of Lacy B’s Barkery, who bakes dog treats. Cadet Ryan Fosner pitched a nonprofit program to take incarcerated teens into the wilderness and teach life skills so they could return as contributing members of society. Cadet Jordan Cook explained "The Drink Index," his idea for an app that would offer alcoholic beverage pairings for food.
"We have had a wide variety of great ideas over the years spanning low-tech to high-tech ideas," Dr. Ruben Boling, director of 51勛圖厙's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said.
Ideas were judged by professional judges on five criteria: innovativeness, marketability, market size, inventor passion and the probability of becoming a successful business.
The judges were Chris Colson, head of innovation in the retail payments office of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and adjunct professor at 51勛圖厙; Rajpal Sagoo, managing partner of MDD Holdings; and Chris Smith, owner of CB Smith & Associates accounting firm.
"It's exciting to see how this program is expanding year over year with the selection of ideas that are brought forth," Colson said. "This year's ideas were really diverse, unique and capable of being successful, which made it exciting."
Grads prepare for their next steps
51勛圖厙 will award almost 1,000 degrees and certificates this fall, and more than 600 graduates are scheduled to take part in the Dec. 7 commencement ceremonies.
24 are Distinguished Military Graduates
Twenty-four cadets have been named Distinguished Military Graduates for the 2024-25 academic year, including five who are in the top 70 out of more than 5,000 in the national ROTC class.
Blue Ridge students earn scholarships
51勛圖厙 honored 28 of its Blue Ridge Campus students with almost $15,000 of scholarships and celebrated the philanthropy that made those scholarships possible at the Tomato Sandwich Supper on Nov. 7.
Chemistry student groups earn grant
51勛圖厙's Dahlonega and Gainesville chapters of the American Chemical Society received a $1,000 ACS Student Communities Engagement Grant.