The University of Pennsylvania’s Weiss Tech House Announces Pennvention Finalists
The University of Pennsylvania’s Weiss Tech House has announced eight finalist teams for its 2015 Pennvention Competition. Pennvention is a technology innovation competition open to all students at the University of Pennsylvania. Competing teams develop a new product and work with established mentors to compete for over $20,000 in cash prizes.
This year’s competition was open to a variety of technological innovations including not-for-profit civic projects, hardware and software. Former PennVention winners include BioBots, Maculens, Kinecthesia, and uBeam.
2015 Pennvention Competition Finalists include:
#1 – Oncora Medical
Team Members: William Lindsay (2018, SEAS)
Oncora uses historical medical record data and predictive analytics to help radiation oncologists provide better care at a low cost.
#2 – AniMotion
Team Members: Feini Qu (2015, SEAS), Peter Gebhard (2015, SEAS), Amrith Krushnakumaar (2016, Wharton)
AniMotion is a low-cost, wearable device that allows self-monitoring of joint function and reduces the need for frequent physical therapy sessions.
#3 – GFRACK Technologies
Team Members: Teddy Guenin (2015, Wharton, SEAS), Ashwin Amurthur (2015, SEAS, Wharton)
GFRACK is a graphene-based FET sensor platform used to give oilfield service companies and municipalities early awareness and 100% clarity about possible harmful chemicals leaked into groundwater.
#4 – PillPal
Team Members: Seaon Shin (2015, Wharton), Wyatt Shapiro (2014, SEAS), Lyles Swift (2014, SAS)
PillPal is a smart, multi-pill dispenser designed to combat barriers associated with medicine intake. It uses text-recognition software to scan prescriptions and reduce health illiteracy, incorporates ‘nudges’ to build social support and uses success tracking to motivate better adherence.
#5 – ThoughtTac Technologies
Team Members: Beatriz Gadala-Maria (2015, SAS), Marcela Argüello (2015, Wharton), Chetna Johri (2016, SEAS), Kinjal Shah (2016, Wharton, SEAS)
ThoughtTac is a mobile application that supports disease management of schizophrenia patients.
#6 – BionUX
Team Members: Adrian Lievano (2015, SEAS), Matthew Lisle (2015, SEAS), Aadithya Prakash (2015, SEAS), Freddy Hernandez (2015, SEAS), Steven Xing (2015, SEAS)
BionUX or Bionic Upper Extremity is a low-cost prosthesis for above-the-arm amputees.
#7 – EyeFly
Team Members: Michael Gromis (2017, SEAS), Jeff Grimes (2014, SEAS), Bahram Banisadr (2015, Wharton, SEAS)
EyeFly can film movies in a way never before possible. EyeFly drones will autonomously fly in swarms capturing multiple angles of each shot with a level of fluidity and precision.
#8 – Roominnate
Team Members: Sally Huang (2015, Wharton)
An interior design experience powered by photorealistic 3D rendering.
This year’s judges are:
Shawn Marcell -President and Chief Executive Officer, Metamark
Patrick FitzGerald -Managing Director–DreamIt Ventures
Angela Steinway -Integra LifeSciences
Jake Stein – Cofounder, RJMetrics
Mel Baiada -Partner, Basecamp Ventures
Final teams will pitch their ideas to a panel at Pennvention finals on April 8 at 6-8 p.m. in University of Pennsylvania’s Wu & Chen Auditorium located at 3330 Walnut St.
Press interested in covering the event should email angelmil@gse.upenn.edu to be added to the press list.
To learn more about the 2015 Pennvention semifinalists visit Pennvention.io/.
The Weiss Tech House is the foremost student-run technological innovation hub on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus. The Weiss Tech House has encouraged and supported student entrepreneurs in the development and promotion of new innovations since 2003. If you would like to learn more about the tech house please visit our website www.tech-house.upenn.edu/.