Student innovators win 10th UTech Business Model Competition

Team Venusian Manufacturing comprising Morganne Jones, Jada Brownie, Joshua Phipps, and Jada Passley of the Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics and Leadership (JDSEEL), College of Business and Management (COBAM), emerged victorious in the 10th UTech, Jamaica Business Model Competition. “The Jem,” an innovative travel fragrance container secured the first-place trophy among the four competing teams who presented their business models before a panel of judges, students and members of faculty and staff on Friday, March 15 at the university’s Papine campus.

The fragrance container innovation includes four separate miniature containers, enabling frequent travellers to carry four distinct fragrances hassle-free through airport security and without the risk of misplacing the smaller containers.

Second place was awarded to Limpid Packaging for their idea of developing an eco-friendly bar soap with a 100 per cent fully dissolvable packaging which lessens waste in the environment, especially in the tourism industry. The team comprised, Raheem Jagdeen and O’Wonder Coleman of the Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics and Leadership (JDSEEL), College of Business and Management (COBAM).

Team Port Support comprising students Johanna Silvera, School of Computing and Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Computing and Zoe Foster, School of Business Administration, COBAM secured third place for their unique and innovative electrical outlet cover that effectively addresses the issue of weak outlets, which often affects the effective charging of electronic devices.

Team Off-Route with their concept of a tracking device designed to ensure the safety of teenagers in situations where a phone proves to be an unreliable means of communication, were awarded fourth place for their efforts. The team consisted of Dahlia Richards, School of Engineering, FENC and Abigayle McGrowder, School of Computing and Information Technology, FENC.

Professor Shermaine Barrett, deputy president (acting), in her remarks at the Business Model Competition emphasised, “Our university is one that is fully committed to continuous improvement and that is why we continue to make every effort to nurture the spirit of entrepreneurship in our students and to equip them with the tools, the guidance and opportunities to contribute innovative solutions to the advancement of our country.”

Olubusola Akinladejo, dean (Acting), College of Business and Management encouraged the students to pursue their dreams, underscoring that there are no boundaries to what they can achieve.

Prince Graham-Haynes, head of the JDSEEL, expressed gratitude for the support in fostering student entrepreneurs’ innovation, emphasising UTech Jamaica’s vision and commitment in “transforming the MSME sector to one driven by entrepreneurial practices”.

Responding on behalf of the judges, Professor Paul Golding commended the competing teams, noting, “I think all four groups that presented today had extremely good products.” He noted that there was demonstration of a good level of research and development of the business ideas and encouraged the groups to continue to work hard to improve their products.

Venusian Manufacturing received the category prize for international market potential, team Limpid Packaging was awarded for the most developed prototype, and Port Support was awarded for having the most innovative venture.

Cash prizes were awarded to all teams. First place received $400,000, second to fourth place received $200,000, $120,000 and $75,000, respectively.