3 January – March 2022 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica Students of the College of Business and Management (l-r) Shantay Siddo, Shasantay Jennings and Divontte Dennis of Team Medija Traditions during their virtual presentation at the finals of the 9th UTech, Jamaica Business Model Competition held on Thursday, February 18, 2021 via Zoom. Budding student entrepreneurs of the team Medija Traditions, whose innovation promises to effectively sooth and heal minor skin wounds, impressed the judges in emerging winners at the finals of the 9th UTech, Jamaica Business Model Competition, hosted by the Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics and Leadership (JDSEEL), on February 18, 2022, via Zoom. The winning team comprising College of Business and Management (COBAM) students Shantay Siddo, Shasantay Jennings and Divontte Dennis topped the pool of six final teams, walking away with the grand prize of $400,000.00, after presenting their business model for a product that they described as a plant-based solution, utilizing the properties of natural remedies packaged in an easy-to-use form. Second place winners were team Augmented with group members Tavoy Barrett, COBAM and Shanoy Smith, FELS. Their innovation involves inventive advertising using augmented reality that blends game technology with marketing, advertising and sales techniques. The innovation copped the group the cash prize of $200,000.00. Kashlon Palmer and Sanchia Palmer of the School of Computing and Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Computing (FENC) copped third place, with a prize of $100,000.00, for their presentation of a mobile wallet solution, designed to make transferring money via mobile devices easier. Fourth place and cash prize of $50,000.00 was awarded to team Tutoring One-On-One, comprising FELS students TwaeJordan Rose, Ashley Lawrence and Brenda Johnson who developed a platform to connect teachers and tutors with students seeking tutoring services. Rounding out the six finalists were 5th and 6th place teams Global Institute & Certification and Ubiqui Agro Grow, respectively. Global Institute & Certification, FELS students, Sobrina Davis, Thea May and Abigail Cleary created a platform to offer skills training and development, while Ubiqui Agro Grow, COBAM students Jelani Kidd, Shanelle Wray and Anderica Green developed an innovative way of marketing agricultural produce. Both teams were presented with $15,000.00. Participants in the competition are required to present innovative, sustainable and avant-garde solutions to problems, while utilizing a business model canvas to demonstrate their key partners and activities, value propositions, customer relationships, as well as revenue streams and cost structure. Teams are assessed on the validation of their hypothesis and assumptions, product development and presentation skills. Mr. Nigel Cooper, Head, Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics and Leadership (JDSEEL) in his welcome, indicated that the Business Model Competition continues in its thrust to mold “young entrepreneurs into real life, long-term entrepreneurs.” He applauded the students, noting that they “have sweat and toiled to come up with these ventures” which has resulted in an experience that was both challenging and rewarding for them. In underscoring the importance of the competition, Mr. Cooper pointed to the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students Survey that is conducted in over 50 countries among university students, which Cont’d on page 4 Medija Traditions Wins 9th UTech, Jamaica Business Model Competition with Innovative Wound Healing Product
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