Fast Pitch Competition Ignites Innovation at Cal Poly Pomona
The Student Innovation Idea Labs hosted the highly anticipated Fast Pitch Competition on Thursday, November 25, showcasing the innovative spirit of Cal Poly Pomona students. Organized in partnership with student club CEO, who have hosted the competition for the past two years, the event provided a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to present their groundbreaking ideas to an esteemed panel of judges.
The judging panel included Jared Ceja, CEO of Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises, Inc.; David Corral, director of Cal Poly Pomona Dining Services; Ericka Olguin, director of Innovation Incubator; and Ron Garner, senior industrial advisor and board director of the Pomona Chamber of Commerce. Their expertise and insights added depth to the competition, offering valuable feedback to participants.
Five contenders were each given 10 minutes to pitch their product or business idea followed by a five-minute Q&A session with the judges.
Jucinda Lopez, a sophomore hospitality management major and a Kellogg Honors College student, took first place with Good2Go, a sticker designed as an extra layer of protection to prevent burnt tongues from hot beverages
“One of my goals throughout college was to challenge myself to do things that made me anxious,” said Lopez on how the competition helped her grow personally and professionally. “This competition was the perfect opportunity to honor that commitment. I am glad I pushed through, because it reminded me that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.”
The other competitors included Hector Garcia, who presented Mechani-Health Technologies & Pharmaceuticals, Roberto Smith I, who introduced Boundary-RSS and Robert Khatchatryan, who provided a preview of President Soraya M. Coley’s signature ice cream micro-internship. Each presentation demonstrated creativity, ingenuity, and the drive to address real-world challenges through innovative solutions.
Yao Olive Li, director of the Student Innovation Idea Labs, shared her thoughts on the event.
“As one of the many PolyX signature activities, the Bronco Startup Challenge Fast Pitch competition exemplifies our commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Cal Poly Pomona,” Li said. “Through events like these, we empower students to transform their ideas into impactful solutions, driving creativity and collaboration within our community."
Nastran Simarsl, faculty fellow for Student Innovation Idea Labs, also shared her perspective.
“It’s been such a rewarding experience for me in the last few years to help provide a platform for our students across different majors to form and streamline their creative ideas and pitch them to judges and their peers,.” Simarsl said. “These competitions allow our students to become more self-aware, think deeper, build confidence in their abilities, and create a network of mentors and supporters.
Join Student Innovation Idea Labs for the next Bronco Startup Challenge on April 24, at the University Library, second floor. For more information on the upcoming event, visit the Student Innovation Idea Labs website or contact them directly at siil@cpp.edu.