Idea Submissions 2024
Below are the ideas submitted for the 2024 UM-Dearborn Business Idea Pitch Competition. Click on each to learn more!
What is your idea?
Niebo is an International School that teaches foreign languages to children. High School Federal curriculums lack in proper foreign language teaching. Niebo looks to teach while students are young and curious in an environment with students of up to 15 who are in a classroom setting instead of a tutor session. Each language will be assigned to a qualified teacher who will be PROPERLY paid.
Who is your target customer?
Our target customers are parents who don’t have the time or energy to teach their children their or a unique foreign language. Just because a parent speaks a foreign language doesn’t mean they know how to. We solve the problem of teaching kids while their young so they remember unlike in Highschool.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Competition lies in with virtual tutors. There is some to no physical major competitors. This school would not only be unique but revolutionary to changing the multilingual education system. If tutors seem as a threat, we would hire the best as teachers for proper pay better than public school.
What makes your idea different?
Niebo isn’t going to give you 2 languages like Highschool. We want to hire teachers of multiple languages for students to choose from. We aren’t teaching online, we want to teach in person and collaborate with children so they use the language every time they come into class with other students.
Why will your idea be successful?
Out of so many bilingual and monolingual parents I’ve spoken to, they fear that they can’t teach their children their mother tongue or have an urge to allow their children to learn a foreign language to have greta opportunities in the future. Parents not only want this for children, they need it.
What is your idea?
I want all student / student athletes in high school and college to be able to access proper nutrition that will fuel them for the day.
Who is your target customer?
Student / student athletes / anyone at a high school or college
Who are your biggest competitors?
Tropical smoothie Smoothie king
What makes your idea different?
I want my shops to start in schools because this will be able to help kids understand why healthy choices will help them improve not only on the field but will also help them in their personal life as well.
Why will your idea be successful?
My idea will be successful because I’m a student athlete myself and I have a huge passion for smoothie bowls. Ideas thrive when you’re as passionate as I am about my idea.
What is your idea?
For all busy college students! Transform your college life with this all-in-one app. Discover nutritious eats around campus and explore diverse dining options. Stay up-to-date on wellness events taking place on campus. Easily access counseling services and connect with fellow students for fitness motivation. Elevate your health and happiness with this incredible app!
Who is your target customer?
College and commuter students who want easy access to healthy food, wellness events, counseling, and fitness connections. It's designed to make well-being easy in the midst of busy academic lives.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Competitors may include campus food apps like Tapingo, wellness event platforms such as Eventbrite, mental health apps like BetterHelp, and comprehensive student life apps like Corq.
What makes your idea different?
Our app is unique because it is an all-in-one app that helps college students with healthy eating, wellness events, counseling, and connecting with others for fitness. It's all you need for a happy and healthy college life!
Why will your idea be successful?
This idea will succeed as it covers all student needs - healthy food, wellness, counseling, and fitness connections. It's user-friendly and caters to busy college lives, making well-being easy and enjoyable.
What is your idea?
My Idea is a writing utensil that can be used in all occasions. This about a Swiss Army knife, something with multiple uses, but now think about it with different writing tips. I can just think of it now. Do you need a pencil? Pen? Highlighter? Colored Pencil? Crayon? White Out? Eraser? A writing utensil that is comfortable in the hand this is the one stop for all note taking needs.
Who is your target customer?
My target customer would be anyone who has the ability to write. Anyone should be able to use this product but if I had to target one specific customer, I would say a student/worker who needs to copy things down and take detailed notes.
Who are your biggest competitors?
First, any brands who already create different mediums that come in a back to school pack all together. Second, there is a company named Bic, and others, who make a pen that has more than 1 color on them. There is also a few cheaply made versions on amazon with pens, pencils and such but low quality
What makes your idea different?
I do not think that any other company has created a product quite like this one. The item that I have came up with is going to be well made. It is going to have a comfortable hand feel. And you will have a multitude of mediums to use from that will make it easier than using individual mediums.
Why will your idea be successful?
I think that with my background of marketing and putting new things out there for people to see, my idea will be a great hit for all people of all types, as it creates a solution to a problem of many. Having too many different mediums in your pencil case/backpack.
What is your idea?
Introducing Vealthy Yantra, Healthy + Vending machine = Vealthy Yantra, a revolutionary fusion of health and convenience. Vealthy Yantra appears ordinary but offers superior, customizable, ready to-go, and budget-friendly healthy food. Catering to dietary needs, it ensures transparent nutrition aligned with prescribed protein and calorie intake. Eat smart, stay healthy with Vealthy Yantra!
Who is your target customer?
Targeting existing vending networks in universities and organizations. Vealthy Yantra targets individuals who don’t want to repeat their options of healthy food such as students, professionals, and anyone seeking quick, budget-friendly, and nutritionally balanced food options to grab on their way.
Who are your biggest competitors?
HealthyYou Vending Sprout Healthy Vending
What makes your idea different?
Vealthy Yantra stands out with personalized AI interaction. It engages users in a calorie and protein dialogue, tailoring food choices. The AI evolves by learning preferences, offering optimal recipes and serve a food box. For those relaxing on diets, we provide customized snacks and beverages.
Why will your idea be successful?
Vealthy Yantra ensures success by offering fresh, customizable, budget-friendly healthy options. Our AI evolves with user preferences, enhancing engagement. It's not just snacks; it's a complete meal solution, driving sustained usage. Offering complete meals, not just snacks, maximizes utilization.
What is your idea?
Our service is an e-learning platform that is designed to be used by school districts for teaching financial literacy and helping students research and select potential careers. The platform combines theoretical teachings about things like student loans and an in-house network that evaluates established professionals to give presentations about their occupations to help inform young students.
Who is your target customer?
Our primary customer base will be public school districts. As of the end of 2023, 22 states require HS students to be educated in financial literacy. By 2028, that number is expected to grow to 39 states. Teen students are consumers by extension of their districts.
Who are your biggest competitors?
EVERFI and Intuit are cited as having financial literacy courses designed for teenagers. These courses and programs are, of course, at will.
What makes your idea different?
If we get enough school districts using our curriculum, it could standardize the learning area. Many young students need the tools and knowledge to make critical decisions about their future. This idea is different because it balances theory with in-person presentations of working professionals.
Why will your idea be successful?
Very few people are opposed to the idea of educating our youth. Many complain about the usefulness of the required courses in a typical HS curriculum. No one uses trigonometry, but all must be informed and educated in navigating the economy and managing their money.
What is your idea?
In "aero position", bikers must look down to maintain proper form and improve aerodynamics while racing. Neck pain is unavoidable when looking up to check the road ahead. AeroAlert is a live-feed system connecting a stereo camera to the rider's phone. Mounted in their line of sight while looking down at the handlebars, it allows riders to be faster, safer, and reduces spinal injuries and crashes.
Who is your target customer?
Competitive cyclists. This is a precise sport and having the best gear can be the difference between success and failure in training and in a race. Triathletes have notoriously deep pockets due to the cost of the sport and are willing to go to great lengths to improve their times and reduce injury.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Existing technology includes easily mountable dash cams for cars which can range from twenty to hundreds of dollars, but are not specifically marketed to bikers. There are also rear view camera screens designed for bikes at a similar price, but these do not alert the rider or connect to their phone.
What makes your idea different?
AeroAlert uses object tracking to determine what truly poses a threat before an alert, minimizing unnecessary distractions. This will make it more likely to be adopted and used long term by customers. Also, being connected to air phone allows for seamless integration into a rider's routine and gear.
Why will your idea be successful?
Many long-distance cyclists have phones available to track stats, use GPS, or change music. AeroAlert uses these existing habits to improve required racing form to be safer and more comfortable. Object tracking is already used in autonomous vehicles, facilitating its application in this use case.
What is your idea?
A café or such that specifically hires retired people (starting around age 62). Those who are retired but still want to keep busy can work at a café with people around their age. It is a great way to keep themselves active and the mind sharp/busy.
Who is your target customer?
Retired people from ages 62 to 80.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Senior citizen activity centers/adult day cares.
What makes your idea different?
Those who are in their 60's don't want to be considered "old" and a "senior citizen". Adult daycare centers can be depressing, while a café specifically catering to them would make them still feel useful.
Why will your idea be successful?
At this café, they can form friendships with other retired folks as well as refer the café to their friends to visit.
What is your idea?
Transforming urban spaces, our nonprofit utilizes city vacant land to erect geodesic dome greenhouses for urban farming. With nutritionist supervision, we cultivate crops targeting local diet deficiencies. AI-driven monitoring optimizes yields. Together, we're fostering community health and sustainable food access.
Who is your target customer?
Urban cities struggling with impoverished populations and socio-economic issues. Studies have proven that nutritional deficiencies hinder brain development. Working with local community leaders to create a sustainable plan for helping the youth.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Michigan Urban Farming Initiative.
What makes your idea different?
The core issue with urban farming in many areas is climate. With climate change also now throwing these vulnerable areas into disarray our solution creates year round nutrition. By pairing geodesic greenhouses with off-peak battery storage sites we can create jobs and opportunities for the community
Why will your idea be successful?
There is a demand for solutions that are mired in red-tape. The primary issue is that creating a long-term tangible program requires sustainability practices that did not exist before. Technology paired with agriculture for the many instead of the few.
What is your idea?
EcoGlow is a holistic sustainability platform that integrates food recycling and organic skincare. We offer composting kits for organic waste collection and partner with local skincare artisans who use natural ingredients sourced from composted materials. Participants not only reduce food waste but also contribute to eco-friendly skincare production.
Who is your target customer?
Our target customers are environmentally-conscious individuals who prioritize sustainable living and skincare enthusiasts looking for natural, chemical-free products. We also cater to eco-friendly businesses seeking to incorporate green initiatives into their operations.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Our primary competitors include brands like Lush and The Body Shop, which offer natural skincare products. Additionally, companies specializing in organic waste management, such as TerraCycle, could be seen as competitors, although they don't directly intersect with our integrated approach of combin
What makes your idea different?
EcoGlow offers a creative approach to sustainability by linking food recycling with skincare production. Our products are not only environmentally-friendly but also promote the use of natural, nourishing ingredients that benefit both the skin and the planet.
Why will your idea be successful?
EcoGlow taps into the growing demand for eco-conscious skincare while addressing the pressing issue of food waste. By offering a dual-purpose solution that aligns with consumers' values and promotes environmental stewardship, we anticipate strong interest and adoption of our platform.
What is your idea?
HealthHarbour integrates test results from different vendors for in-house testing into a single platform, streamlining access to results and providing complete medical history. It enhances care by centralizing data, aiding treatment decisions, and supporting first responders with crucial information. It also prevents co-medication, ensures better care & also improves first responder treatments.
Who is your target customer?
We are targeting all patients for centralized in-house test results and medical data management, test kit providers for increased outreach, and doctors/hospitals for providing improved access and personalized treatment.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Our platform stands out as it integrates in-house test kits, to provide centralized data, a unique approach with no direct competitors. While the health data management sector has players like Epic system and Cerner, none offer our comprehensive solution.
What makes your idea different?
HealthHarbour stands out by seamlessly merging diverse in-house test results by different testkit providers into a unified platform, offering real-time access. This along with comprehensive health records aids doctors in comprehending symptoms & reaching a more informed & accurate diagnosis swiftly.
Why will your idea be successful?
This idea addresses healthcare's key issues—fragmented data, slow responses, and privacy while promoting a paperless and unified system. It empowers patient data control, and boosts treatment efficiency facilitating well informed decisions and more personalized treatment.
What is your idea?
AURA integrates AI directly with Canvas & UM-GPT to analyze student behavior to detect patterns associated with depression. Early detection connects students to timely support, fostering a safe environment. Every 7 in 10 students face some form of psychological distress, out of which only 37% seek help, making AURA's early detection ability plays a critical role in saving the youth.
Who is your target customer?
AURA is developed to support K-12 & higher education institutions prioritize student well-being. It is a scalable solution that helps them proactively identify students struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression while also flagging the initial stages to provide proactive support.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Direct Competitors: Self-screening and assessment tools (Mental health America Screening tests) and self-help apps (Headspace).
Indirect Competitors: CAPS screening services and local mental health screening services.
However, these services require the student to take the crucial first step.
What makes your idea different?
AURA identifies potential issues in students before they escalate, allowing for proactive intervention and early support. It provides personalized recommendations based on each student's unique situation. Additionally, AURA seamlessly integrates with existing campus resources like CAPS.
Why will your idea be successful?
Countless students become distant while facing mental health challenges due to the associated stigma. AURA uses state of the art AI to provide a novel approach by providing schools with a tool to identify students who might be struggling silently.
What is your idea?
The MedBox solves the issue of making medicine easily transportable. For those that travel, they need a small container that will hold their injection at a precise temperature. Within the Medbox is also a sharps compartment where the users can safely store the injection after use. The box is small enough to fit in a carry-on bag and is powered by batteries instead of electrical outlets.
Who is your target customer?
Our target consumers are late teens all the way to the elderly. The MedBox is helpful for anyone who has a need for injectable medications (including but not limited to autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and general weight loss). This product is especially useful for college students or travel workers.
Who are your biggest competitors?
I have yet to find another company producing anything similar to this. Most users of the medication are instructed to travel with the injection in its original packaging which is quite bulky and not a controlled environment. The only slightly comparable solution is a cooler or lunch box.
What makes your idea different?
As a user of Humira, the best way currently to travel with my medication is in original packaging which is much too large for carry on. This also includes having to bring a separate and unnecessarily large sharps container.
Why will your idea be successful?
The pharmaceutical industry is extremely profitable. People will always have health issues that require injections. This product could be sold internationally at large companies such as Walmart or sold to Beaumont. In face of a major power outage, the MedBox could save lives.
What is your idea?
Farm-to-Doorstep Milk & Dairy products - organic milk and cheese directly from farms. Subscription-based delivery app, Primarily delivered by students within proximity to their universities, supports students financially, while home-based cattle owners earn. Starting in Michigan, and scaling nationwide. A win-win for health, community, and education.
Who is your target customer?
Target consumers would include health-conscious individuals, busy professionals, families looking for fresh and organic dairy products, & those who prioritize supporting local farmers. Target consumers are also students who can earn through delivering & be acquainted with healthy lifestyle choices.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Our primary competitors are leading dairy brands such as Organic Valley, Danone, and Aurora Organic Dairy, along with local farms and grocery chains like General Mills, Kroger, Calder Dairy, and Guernsey Farms Dairy. Additionally, food delivery platforms like Doordash and Instacart pose competition.
What makes your idea different?
1. Niche market supplying only milk & cheese alongside choices of shakes that can be consumed by students.
2. Allowing the opportunity for students to earn through becoming our delivery partners.
3. Doorstep delivery and flexibility to get fresh milk and cheese throughout the week.
Why will your idea be successful?
This idea leverages convenience, freshness, & community support. By providing farm-fresh dairy delivered to your doorstep by students, it taps into demand for healthy, locally sourced products. Offering opportunities for home-based cattle owners fosters community engagement & ensures quality.
What is your idea?
Introducing WristBuddy: a stylish, child-friendly smartwatch with location tracking and distress alarm features, which discreetly offers guardians peace of mind by allowing kids to signal for help with a simple swipe and hold action. Parents receive instant notifications and can communicate directly with their child through the watch in emergencies, ensuring safety and reassurance.
Who is your target customer?
Our target customers are elementary and middle school across the United States as well as students' parents / guardians. Our product can also be directed towards elderly people whose caretakers want to ensure their loved ones safety.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Our biggest competitors are apps that provide features like location tracking and distress alarm, which helps parents know where their kids might be and if they are in any dangerous situations. For example- Life360 and SOS Alert app.
What makes your idea different?
While safety apps exist, there have been no products like ours in the market that offer a wearable solution, specifically for children’s safety needs. Our watch will only include a distress alarm, voice recording feature and GPS tracking, to prevent any possibility of destruction for the kids.
Why will your idea be successful?
We’ll partner with schools in the US to include our smart watch with their enrollment package, empowering guardians to protect their kids. Starting with a distress alarm for help, locating them in a big shopping mall, and alerts if removed off their wrist, our watch ensures safety.
What is your idea?
A light weight wrist band, and app, designed to track your daily consumption of micros/macros as well as physical movement. Incorporates AI and uses cross-data analysis to give more in depth results and tips on your individual performance. The product also includes a feature to sync your information with your friend and family to build your own competitions.
Who is your target customer?
Best made for people who want to lose weight or just work on bettering their health.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Fitbit, Apple/Apple Watch, Other fitness tracking apps (Wellness Tracker, Fitness Fusion, MyFitnessPal, etc.).
What makes your idea different?
Our wristband/app adds a competitive component to help motivate people, as well as allow them to work with friends/family. The product also takes into account individual data/performance.
Why will your idea be successful?
We have differentiating features, and we will promote it through gyms and trainers to get as much exposure to ActiveSync as possible.
What is your idea?
Open a spacious facility with mobility-focused and creative technology-infused games, such as active tiles, moving lasers, hide and seek, escape the spotlight, and flag tag with moving obstacle courses. The location will be in Wayne county.
Who is your target customer?
The center will target young and older adults in large and small groups.
Who are your biggest competitors?
In Michigan, our biggest competitors are "BIG (Best in Games)" in Ann Arbor and "Launch" in Dearborn. Outside Michigan, our biggest competitor is the facility "Activate."
What makes your idea different?
Our concept is focused on adult entertainment, addressing a gap in the market where adult-oriented leisure facilities are lacking. In our area, adults often struggle to find engaging venues for recreation, resorting to cafes, cinemas, or restaurants for leisure activities that are often immobile.
Why will your idea be successful?
Given the absence of competition, this venue will be the primary choice for adult groups and couples seeking entertainment. It offers a versatile option for both younger and older adults seeking enjoyable, mobile activities. The demand within my community for an adult-centric center is substantial.
What is your idea?
FlexFit provides a convenient solution for fitness enthusiasts to try out different types of equipment before making a purchase or continuing to rent. With our rental service, customers can rent individual pieces of equipment or sets, allowing them to experience a variety of options. Each rental includes a complimentary personal training session to ensure proper usage and guidance.
Who is your target customer?
Our target customers are individuals who are passionate about fitness and value the importance of trying out different equipment to build their perfect home gym. They may be new to fitness or experienced enthusiasts looking to explore new equipment options.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Our competitors include traditional fitness retailers and other rental services that offer limited options, high costs and lack personalized training support. Many customers are distrustful of the Rent to Own establishments, allowing FlexFit to revolutionize the market with a new approach.
What makes your idea different?
FlexFit success lies in its customer-centric approach, offering diverse equipment options and personalized training to foster active lifestyles. By prioritizing customer satisfaction over profit, we build trust and loyalty, ensuring long-term success in the fitness rental market.
Why will your idea be successful?
Building a home gym is an expensive investment. FlexFit Rental offers an inexpensive and convenient way to try out equipment before making a purchase. Coupled with a free training session, Flexfit offers the complete package for customers looking to improve their health and wellbeing.
What is your idea?
Badil: A platform offering healthier, cheaper alternatives to big brand foods. Features include user ratings, cost comparisons, and a smart algorithm to suggest alternatives. Focuses on supporting local businesses, combating inflation, and promoting health.
Who is your target customer?
Health-conscious consumers, budget-conscious shoppers (particularly those in inflation-affected regions), parents and caregivers, individuals with dietary restrictions/want to support small businesses, fitness enthusiasts, and foodies.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Yuka - An app that scans food products to provide health insights and alternative suggestions.
MyFitnessPal - Offers insights into healthier food options.
ShopWell - Helps users find healthy and suitable foods based on their nutritional preferences.
What makes your idea different?
Badil differentiates itself by supporting local businesses, providing health/cost comparisons, and using community reviews. Its algorithm offers personalized, sustainable alternatives, emphasizing local economy support and transparency.
Why will your idea be successful?
Badil is poised for success by meeting demands for affordable, healthier food options, fostering community trust through user reviews, offering personalized suggestions, and supporting local businesses. Its alignment with health trends and economic sensitivity makes it a timely solution.
What is your idea?
Guardian Stroke Alert is a mobile app leveraging AI to monitor stroke risk in real-time. It prompts patients at high risk to perform quick self-tests for stroke symptoms (facial droopiness, arm weakness, speech difficulty) and automatically alerts emergency services or designated contacts if a stroke is detected.
Who is your target customer?
Our primary customers are individuals diagnosed with conditions increasing stroke risk, prescribed by neurologists or general practitioners. The app also serves caregivers and healthcare providers monitoring patient health remotely.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Major competitors include existing medical alert systems, wearable health monitoring devices like smartwatches with health tracking features, and other mobile health applications focused on stroke prevention and detection.
What makes your idea different?
Guardian Stroke Alert differentiates by integrating real-time, AI-driven stroke detection with emergency response coordination directly in the app, ensuring immediate action can be taken even when the patient cannot call for help themselves.
Why will your idea be successful?
Our app's combination of advanced AI, user-friendly design, and the life-saving capability of immediate emergency notification positions it uniquely in preventive healthcare, appealing to patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers alike.
What is your idea?
Pegasus is a social entrepreneurship peer to peer platform aiming at elevating individuals out of poverty by connecting businesses and investors with individuals who are willing to work in exchange for micro-loans to purchase vehicles, which they then use to generate income through the platform's gig economy.
Who is your target customer?
Target customers include people who don't have access to auto loans, people in developing countries where gig work is more lucrative than white collar labor and loans are difficult to get, and businesses in need of affordable, reliable delivery and transportation services.
Who are your biggest competitors?
Competition comes from traditional auto loan providers, ride-share companies with lease programs, and peer-to-peer lending platforms. However, none offer our integrated approach of financing, earning, and vehicle ownership.
What makes your idea different?
Pegasus uniquely binds the interests of gig workers, businesses, and investors in a symbiotic relationship, enabling affordable vehicle access, reduced delivery costs, and profitable investment opportunities in one platform. It sustains itself financially while achieving a social goal.
Why will your idea be successful?
Our model leverages the untapped potential of developing markets, offering a triple win: empowering individuals with ownership and work, providing businesses with cost-effective logistics solutions, and delivering investors sustainable returns. We aren't neglecting anyone in our business model.
What is your idea?
Stooly is an app which uses photo recognition software in order to track bowel movements and monitor one's health. The app monitors consistency in shape, size, color and frequency. The software can also perform a basic urinalysis to monitor hydrations levels. The tracker can be integrated with apps such as MyFitnessPal in order to track how certain foods affect your stool.
Who is your target customer?
Our target customer is adults aged 40+. At this age, adults are much more susceptible to diseases such as colon cancer. Changes in stool are one of the main indicators of these issues, and can be tracked through the app.
Who are your biggest competitors?
PCal, Bowelle
What makes your idea different?
Unlike other stool tracker apps, ours will be catered towards adults 40+, containing a very simple and easy to understand interface.
Furthermore, the photo recognition software provides a more personalized experience, with the ability to track your stool with more accuracy.
Why will your idea be successful?
This app will be successful because it will allow users to be proactive about their health. There is a large market of people who can benefit from this app, allowing for a very large userbase with very few competitors.