On July 16, marketing student James Huynh took home fourth place at the 2024 DePaul University Pitch Madness Competition. This is the second year NIU’s student entrepreneurs competed in this prestigious competition, sponsored by the NIU Office of Innovation in the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships, as well as our College of Business’ De La Vega Innovation Lab.
Huynh pitched his business idea SwiftSip, which offers an ethically sourced, freeze-dried coffee cube that requires only a cup of water to create a perfect cup. SwiftSip is geared to full-time professionals who want a quick, specialty, mess-free, on-the-go coffee.
“We differ from our competitors by using sustainable, biodegradable packaging that creates a
no-mess, no-waste experience,” Huynh said. “Right now, our profit margins are at 60%, and we plan to further our research and development over the summer to help build capital.”
This idea earned him first place at our De La Vega Innovation Pitch Competition earlier this spring, giving him the confidence to continue to compete.
“Being involved in the De La Vega Pitch Competitions and DePaul’s Pitch Madness competition has been good for me in so many ways,” Huynh said. “It gave me real-life experience on how a business operates. It taught me how to properly pitch. It taught me what it means to innovate, and most importantly, it showed me that I have the skills and confidence to be an entrepreneur.”
At DePaul, Huynh competed against 31 other collegiate startups from schools across the Midwest including the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois System, Michigan State University, the University of Iowa, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and DePaul University.
Another team from NIU was comprised of students Yudishtir Sheth, Katie Erdmann and Nikhil Doddaga. They pitched their business, Alert Drive Pro, which uses facial recognition technology to monitor critical safety parameters such as a driver’s eyes, hands and seatbelt usage. The tool also provides an advanced software system that integrates GPS tracking and location-sharing capabilities, providing real-time data and insights into vehicle positioning and driver behavior. Furthermore, by incorporating artificial intelligence, Alert Drive Pro facilitates predictive analytics and decision-making processes, enhancing operational efficiency and safety across entire fleets.
Doddaga and Erdmann won second place at the De La Vega Innovation Pitch Competition in April.
“The pitch competition proved irreplaceable as it provided a practical, real-world experience,” said Erdmann. “We received immediate feedback from industry experts, allowing us to gain insights from those who have previously navigated similar processes. The experience of presenting to an audience and judges was unparalleled, and participating in the De La Vega competition serves as a foundational experience that prepares us for potential future engagements with venture capitalists or angel investors.”
Both NIU teams who entered the Pitch Madness Competition worked with faculty mentors this summer to further refine their business models and pitches to be fully prepared for this Midwestern competition.
Huynh’s success is not NIU’s first at DePaul’s Pitch Madness Competition as management student Jada Samuels won first place and audience favorite in July 2023.
“The students who represent NIU at these competitions reflect what is most special about our university,” said Becca Husar, associate director of innovation and partnership development. “Each student has a drive for innovation that will improve the lives of those around them. Through collaboration, mentorship and their engagement within the De La Vega Innovation Lab, these students are able to turn their visions into reality.”
Huynh was quick to note that these opportunities reignited his passion for entrepreneurship.
“I wanted to thank the faculty and staff for reigniting a long-held passion and organizing all those workshops/events to get me where I am today.” Huynh said. “They really helped me realize my true career aspirations and made me realize what genuinely energizes me!”
“The best part of being involved in these competitions is being able to see an idea, or concept, turn into a reality right in front of your eyes,” he added.
To learn more about our De la Vega Innovation Lab and our pitch competition and incubation program, go to go.niu.edu/innovation-lab.
For more information on the Office of Innovation, go to innovation.niu.edu.
