Adya Parida ’25 (ECS) and Ryan Brouchoud ’25 (Maxwell), Josephine Jenifer Fernando ’24 (iSchool), Thomas O’Brien ’25 (VPA), and Emma Platten ’24 (ECS).
Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad alumni Kelsey Davis ’19 G ’20, Founder and CEO of CLLCTVE, opened the Ideas Festival in Bird Library recently and shared her entrepreneurial journey of taking a vision of connecting creators to their next opportunity to a tech platform of over 3,000+ creators who are matched to brands based on their interests and experience. The thoughtful and inspiring advice provided innovative students who are just testing out first ideas insight.
Following the welcome remarks, more than 80 students presented ideas to solve challenges. Four winners were selected to receive cash prizes up to $1500. The winners will then have the opportunity to progress to a subsequent national round of the Blackstone Ideas Competition for a chance to win $10,000.
Syracuse University winners were:
- Thomas O’Brien ’25 (VPA), Project Freefall
- Emma Platten ’23, G’24 (ECS), Defensive Designs – Improved Lacrosse Helmets
- Ryan Brouchoud ’25 (Maxwell) and Adya Parida ’25 (ECS), AdaptEd
- Josephine Jenifer Fernando ’24 (iSchool), Hydrosaver – Revolutionizing Car Washes with Water Recycling Technology
“Deciding to pitch my idea, HydroSaver, was a combination of both determination and a belief in the impact it could make. The leap came when I recognized that a 60-second pitch could be the perfect platform to share this vision with a wider audience,” says Josephine Fernando. “When they announced the winner, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, not just for myself but for the potential impact the idea could have on sustainability and water conservation.”
The competition was open to all Syracuse University and SUNY ESF students.
Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad Ideas Festival organizer Andrew Kim ’24 (Whitman) and alum Kelsey Davis ’19 G ’20, Founder and CEO of CLLCTVE