The Santa Cruz (SC) Launchpad event on May 29, 2024 was an exciting opportunity for UC Santa Cruz students to compete in a business plan competition for $40,000 in cash prizes. Notably, Baskin Engineering students or alumni were on each of the winning teams.
Leading up to the event, students worked collaboratively in teams, gaining hands-on experience in developing their startup ideas. Then at SC Launchpad, the teams pitched their ideas to a panel of judges comprised of UCSC alumni and mentors.
Out of 12 participating teams, four were awarded larger financial prizes in the categories of social and community impact, climate action, technology, and biotechnology and health – areas in which Baskin Engineering cultivates innovative thinking through an environment of exploration and collaboration.
After the pitch competition, students networked with 32 participating industry partners and organizations in a large job fair and explored over 400 job openings across fields such as technology, education and sustainability.
Congratulations to the 2024 SC Launchpad award recipients, who are all UC Santa Cruz students unless noted otherwise:
Social Impact Award ($6,000)
Tallyrus: a web application that uses AI to quickly and accurately assess student essays – designed to shorten the time teachers spend on grading and give them more time for one-on-one student engagement.
Vikyath Naradasi (B.S., Computer Science, ‘24), Ashwin Chembu (UC Davis B.S., Computer Science, ‘25), Gautham Pandian (UC Davis B.S., Computer Science and Engineering, ‘25).
Climate Action Award ($10,000) and Biotech/Health Award ($6,000)
TerraNova Bio: a method for addressing one of humanity’s greatest problems – plastic pollution – by using fungi to break down polyurethane. Composting at the chemical level could address several of California’s Climate Adaptation Strategy goals, including diverting toxic carbon away from bodies of water and increasing recycling methods.
Alexie Barbee (B.S., Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics, ‘23), Edward Somera (B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ‘24), Nishal Naicker (B.S., Biology, ‘23), Jori Steinle (B.S., Chemistry, ‘26).
Technology Award ($6,000)
Light Links Inc.: technology that users can plug into any power outlet in their home, enabling their light sources to transmit data to devices swiftly and securely. As an alternative to Wi-Fi, this technology resolves the challenge of delivering high-quality internet to devices and could be the future of indoor, bandwidth-free, high-speed wireless communication.
Kevin Hsieh (B.S., Computer Engineering, ‘24), Harrison Saunders (B.S., Computer Engineering, Computer Science Minor, ‘24), Matt Kaltman (B.S., Mechatronics, Robotics and Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering Minor, ‘24), Orion Flynn (B.S., Computer Science, ‘24), Kylie Sun (B.S., Computer Science, ‘26), Jack Lin (M.S., Computer Science, ‘24), Michelle Quach (Ph.D., Computer Science, ‘29), Firouz Vafadari (Ph.D., Computer Science, ‘28), Tyler Morton (Ph.D., Computer Science, ‘29).
Community Impact Award ($4,000)
Done Today: an online platform that connects students to neighbors who need help with small tasks for an affordable price – giving students needed jobs while fostering intergenerational communication and building community relationships.
Robby Crosby (B.S., Computer Science, ‘20), Andre Stearns (B.A., Global Economics, ‘23), Colby Adams (B.S., Environmental Sciences, ‘24).
SC Launchpad was organized by UCSC’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED) and the Innovation and Business Engagement Hub, in collaboration with Santa Cruz Works, Cabrillo College, Blackstone Launchpad, UC Santa Cruz QB3, and the City of Santa Cruz.
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