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A group of five students won the fifth annual innovateÌìÃÀÉçÇø Pitch Challenge held Feb. 21 at the University of North Georgia's (ÌìÃÀÉçÇø) Dahlonega Campus.

Justin Burgess, Dian Kriel, Freddie Pellini, James Porter, and Parker Whitton comprised WoodTek, a company that revealed the first item in a line of eco-friendly wooden items: a white oak chalice designed to enhance the experience of sipping whiskey. The group received a check for $2,000 and will receive guidance from mentors, startup training, feedback on their product, and professional connections.

"The moment when they announced that we won, it was the feeling of relief and reassurance," Kriel, a native of South Africa, currently residing in Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in management, said. "With the win, the hard work and time that we as a team spent was well worth it. The assurance that we received after the win only fueled our ambition and determination to get our product on the market. The opportunity that was granted to us was just amazing and I am very grateful for it and to be part of such an amazing group of friends."

Porter concurred with Kriel about the experience.

"We put a lot of work and time into this idea and product. I trusted my team that no matter the outcome, we would still push to create a product we are proud of," Porter, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in management with a concentration in entrepreneurship, said. "I am very thankful for the opportunity and to everyone who attended. Giving students the chance to share our passions is what it’s all about."

innovateÌìÃÀÉçÇø began as an opportunity to encourage students to enhance their creativity and innovative spirit. It's a tremendous learning experience for students.

Dr. Ruben Boling

retired director of ÌìÃÀÉçÇø's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Second place, with a check for $1,000, went to Anna Markvartova for Unique Models Inc., an agency that would scout and hire models, paying attention to the mental health of its employees, including body dysmorphia issues. Markvartova, a women's tennis student-athlete, was also the people's choice award recipient and received an additional $500.

Other competitors included Kian Esmaeili, creator of Alpha ad Blocker, hardware designed to stop online advertisements; Zachary Hames with Convergent Referrals, an app that connects buyers and sellers with real estate agents; and, Anthony Walsh with Satiable, a nonprofit serving the food insecure population through a donor-incentivized app.

The judges were Chris Colson, head of innovation in the retail payments office of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and adjunct professor at ÌìÃÀÉçÇø; entrepreneur Cody Fleming, ceo of Furni; Dr. Patrick Fulbright, whose 25 years of experience in business includes retail management operations, finance, logistics, print media, human resources, academia, trainer and business consulting; and, Sebastian Salinas, program director of TiE Atlanta, a non-profit, global community welcoming entrepreneurs from all over the world.

Ideas were judged on five criteria: innovativeness, marketability, market size, inventor passion, and the probability of becoming a successful business.

"The event included an incredible display of innovation and talent from students at ÌìÃÀÉçÇø. It's marvelous to see such skills and ability to deliver quality presentations at their age and is a direct reflection of the academia at the Mike Cottrell College of Business," Fleming said.

Salinas, '21, an innovateÌìÃÀÉçÇø 2020 contestant, said returning to the competition as a judge was " a true blessing" and he was grateful to be able to provide encouragement and opportunities" for this year's competitors.

The pitch competition highlights the innovativeness and entrepreneurial spirit of individuals and teams composed of full-time degree-seeking undergraduate ÌìÃÀÉçÇø students. 

"We encourage students across ÌìÃÀÉçÇø's five campuses to pitch their business ideas for prize money," Dr. Ruben Boling, the recently retired director of ÌìÃÀÉçÇø's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said. "innovateÌìÃÀÉçÇø began as an opportunity to encourage students to enhance their creativity and innovative spirit. It's a tremendous learning experience for students. It enables them to talk to people on a small and large scale."

This was the first time the competition was held in the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation, the new home for ÌìÃÀÉçÇø's Mike Cottrell College of Business that opened in August.