TAMUCC hosts seventh annual Buc Days Ideas Challenge business competition for students

Three teams of Texas A&M College-Corpus Christi learners pitched their first small business tips to a panel of judges at the seventh yearly Buc Days Strategies Challenge Wednesday.

The “Shark Tank”-like small business idea competitors is open up to all Islander college students and features them a way to exam a organization idea, technological innovation or improvements in a aggressive placing.

The to start with-position crew was awarded $2,500 and innovative to compete at the Raymond Suggestions Obstacle at the Mays Small business College at Texas A&M University in Higher education Station. They also won free of charge Whataburger for a yr.

Second place was awarded $1,500 and third position $1,000. All a few finalists gained a just one-calendar year membership to the Coastal Bend Company Innovation Middle Scholar Incubator — a system made to aid shoppers in the early phase of enhancement on their business venture.

Jordyn Barker (left) and Caleb Thomas took home first place at the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's seventh annual Ideas Challenge showcase with their rodeo app idea Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Michael Denton and Dawson Pietsch won second place for their soap tablet idea and Genevieve Ridgway won third for her wine recommendation website. — Jordyn Barker (still left) and Caleb Thomas took dwelling initial spot at the Texas A&M College-Corpus Christi’s seventh yearly Suggestions Obstacle showcase with their rodeo application concept Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Michael Denton and Dawson Pietsch gained 2nd position for their cleaning soap pill thought and Genevieve Ridgway won third for her wine advice website.

Out of 59 candidates, the a few finalists have been My Wine Compass by Genevieve Ridgway, Solva Skincare by Michael Denton and Dawson Pietsch, and MiProRodeo by Jordyn Barker and Caleb Thomas.

Attendees in the group, alongside with 3 expert judges, voted on which crew would get.

Barker and Thomas’ MiProRodeo took home the grand prize with Denton and Pietsch inserting second and Ridgway third.

The application, pronounced My Pro Rodeo, is a “just one-prevent store for all things specialist rodeo.”

Barker claimed the benefits for the app are aimed toward athletes, judges and followers.

Caleb Thomas and Jordyn Barker speak to judges and a crowd of attendees at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi about a business opportunity Wednesday, April 20, 2022. The two competed in the institution's Ideas Challenge showcase. — Caleb Thomas and Jordyn Barker discuss to judges and a group of attendees at Texas A&M College-Corpus Christi about a small business option Wednesday, April 20, 2022. The two competed in the institution’s Concepts Obstacle showcase.

“For lovers, they’re ready to down load tickets straight to their digital wallets, get paid factors for VIP encounters and livestream Cowboy Channel Additionally,” Barker advised a group of attendees. “The athletes are able to enter receipt payouts and see their next go-close to right away. The judges are able to use in-app scoring, change scores directly from the arena floor, as very well as increase penalties and lessen discrepancies.”

Thomas, who has eight decades of practical experience in the rodeo market, mentioned the demographic in rodeo is speedily increasing and starting to be more tech savvy.

“Our systems stay the very same: previous-fashioned, out-of-date and washed out,” Thomas reported. “When we feel of specialist sports activities applications, we believe about sporting activities betting and all individuals matters you see in the NFL, the MLB or the UFC. We recognize too that rodeo would profit from a additional interactive consumer working experience.”

Caleb Thomas and Jordyn Barker answer a question from judges at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi about a business opportunity Wednesday, April 20, 2022. The two competed in the institution's Ideas Challenge showcase. — Caleb Thomas and Jordyn Barker answer a issue from judges at Texas A&M College-Corpus Christi about a enterprise opportunity Wednesday, April 20, 2022. The two competed in the institution’s Tips Problem showcase.

Advertising and marketing assistant professor Jennifer Taylor, a single of the three judges, said she chose MiProRodeo for the reason that it seemed even further along in advancement and nearer to becoming launched.

“They all experienced terrific concepts, but it was hard to opt for just 1,” Taylor claimed. “I genuinely hope the audience took from today how you can get your passion and turn it into a profitable thought that could suddenly switch into a enterprise and legacy for your family. Each of our contestants did that today.”

Barker claimed she’s looking ahead to the totally free Whataburger for a yr, but is grateful to have received.

“With any luck ,, we can get an trader and consider this to the future amount,” Barker said. “This working experience on your own has been lifetime-shifting, but to have this grow to be actual would be one thing else.”