(l-r) Niana Celestine, Gary White, Nakiaus Glosson smile in excitement after just hearing they are the winners of the 2018 BizTech Challenge. PHILLIP FOWLER/ The Gramblinite
A group of students from Grambling State University spent several weeks pitching their idea for chance at winning the Bayou Classic BizTech Challenge.
Their hard work paid off as they took home the $10,000 grand prize towards their project “Digital ID”.
“It took a while, we started on it in August. But once we got the idea together, it was smooth,” said sophomore computer science and accounting major Nakius Glosson, as she reflected on the planning process.
Digital ID is an app designed to consolidate multiple forms of IDs into one. Gary White, Niana Celestine, and Nakiaus Glosson presented “Digital ID” to a panel of judges on Friday Nov. 23 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel during Bayou Classic weekend.
The competition was intense. They participated as one of 17 colleges and universities from the surrounding area. After weeks of narrowing down teams, only a few made it to the final competition to compete for the $10,000 prize.
Grambling was represented by three teams this year, and all three teams placed. Team “Digital ID” won 3rd place for “Best Idea in Technology” Category. Winners from GSU’s “The Golden Pitch” Team Limelight and their #LimeLight app placed 3rd. Team Hide and Seek placed second for “Best Idea in the Digital Category”.
The top teams pitched their ideas in the categories of engineering and robotics; energy, environmental and agricultural technologies, and digital technologies and software. Students are given opportunities to apply their knowledge to any future career pathway.
We’re extremely proud of these student entrepreneurs and their initiative,” said President Rick Gallot.
“Their successes in these competitions prove that innovation starts the day our students step foot on campus. The bright ideas from the classroom aren’t just thoughts, but viable businesses that can change the world.”