Start-up Pitch competition highlights ideas from local youth

Yesterday at Innovate120, six Maquoketa High School students pitched business ideas to a panel of judges, one of which included the Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer.

The six students gave presentations to the judges, answered following questions, and received feedback. Every idea pitched was well received by the judges, with them stating that naming the overall winner to be much harder because of it.

The students in order of their presentations were:

Landon Costello with LineIQ, an app that would provide statistics for bowlers to improve their performance and training.

Avery Schnoor with PeakID, an app that would provide easy access and communication between contractors and prospective clients.

Nolan Ehlinger with FocusBand, an app that would utilize data to monitor and correct distractions in classrooms to improve student attention and engagement.

Barrett Wedekind with ReboundPT, an app that would work alongside physical therapy to ensure correct exercises for the best healing.

Addy Vorbeck with LoadLight, a bracing device to help distribute the weight of heavy equipment used by firefighters and EMS to reduce the strain and injuries of carrying them.

Max Notz with Oneiro, a sleep mask that would track brain waves and provide gentle stimulation to improve and maintain sleep.

The overall winner of this year’s event was Barrett Wedekind with his app ReboundPT. All participants were praised for their depth of research, presentation skills, and ideas.