Mario Avila understands the value of having reliable access to real-time tactical and navigational information since his days as a captain in the United States Marine Corps. In fact, that first-hand experience sparked a lightbulb moment in his business.
He wondered why the software currently used by the military could not be expanded to be used by first responders, hikers, hunters and boaters exploring remote areas, or by FEMA during natural disasters. thought.
That question led to the creation of Tactical Solutions Group, which won the $10,000 grand prize at the annual Launch Your Venture entrepreneurial competition held last week at Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus.
“About 40,000 commercial vessels and 70,000 civilian vessels operate in U.S. waters annually,” Avila said at the event. “And national parks are visited by 325.5 million people a year for recreation.”
For Avila, these numbers represent their customer base. His company was going to develop a plug-in for a product called TAK (Tactical Assault/Team Affairs Kit). This plugin can notify users of incoming storms and track their location in case of an emergency.
Avila, an engineering physics graduate student at Embry-Riddle, recently joined Embry-Riddle, a veteran entrepreneurship program founded and directed by Rami Rahimi, who also heads Embry-Riddle's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Graduated from the first class of RISE.
“Embry-Riddle RISE is an entrepreneurship program designed to help veterans and active military members realize their entrepreneurial aspirations,” Rahimi said. “Mario Avila’s top award at Launch Your Venture is a testament to the strong support and resources the RISE program provides. Through access to essential training, mentorship, and resources, Avila has been able to refine his business idea. and demonstrated the effectiveness of the program in fostering entrepreneurial success.”
Tactical Solutions Group competed against five other startups in a 10-minute pitch competition, followed by a question-and-answer session. Three startups have received funding. All winning teams also won professional business consulting and in-kind prizes. In total, three of the six competing teams were founded by the Eagles.
According to Dr. Stephanie Miller, executive director of Embry-Riddle's Technology Transfer and Research Park Initiative, Launch Your Venture's purpose is to recognize innovative startups within the aviation and aerospace industry across Florida. and reward them. “We really want to help students go from student to CEO of her,” she said.
The first, second and third place winners of Embry-Riddle's Launch Your Venture contest won $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000, respectively, in startup funding at the event. (Photo: Embry-Riddle/David Massey)
Competitor introduction
Other winners of the Launch Your Venture contest are:
2nd place ($5,000): BeamBloxx
From Rollins College, Marissa Farris, founder and CEO of BeamBloxx, received a second-place Launch Your Venture award for her startup, which manufactures smart safety goggles that incorporate cameras that can detect and protect various laser wavelengths. You won $5,000.
Most lasers in the workplace are dangerous and often invisible, Faris told the jury during the pitch, and eye-related injuries cost businesses $300 million a year. He said he was there.
Her company's solution is a goggle design that can be customized to the individual user using a clip-on lens attachment. Unlike typical laser-filtering goggles that are heavy, have an unbalanced center of gravity, and are worn over prescription glasses, these are lightweight and have built-in prescription lenses.
BeamBloxx's advisory team consists of Jason Wojack of Luminar Technologies; Dr. Tim Day, Daylight Solutions, Dr. Shin-Tson Wu, UCF President Professor. and Infleqtion CEO Scott Faris.
3rd Place ($3,000): Pet Healthcare Innovation
More than 4.6 million dogs are euthanized each year due to hip- and leg-related conditions, and Pet HealthCare Innovations, winner of the $3,000 third-place prize at Launch Your Venture, aims to significantly reduce that number. We are aiming for
When founder John Thomerson's dog Daisy lost the use of her hind legs, he came up with a prototype to support her while she relieved herself on the lawn. Now, that prototype has been expanded into a product line for dogs with disabilities.
The company's pitch was presented by Damian Czapp, Head of Marketing. Other members of the team include his engineering co-lead Landon Enrique; Jonathan Batenko, Engineering Co-Lead. Prototype House is a strategic partner.
Other competitors included Eyes4U, a company run by Embry-Riddle students Lovin Edge and Nick Sontra that specializes in sensor-equipped glasses for the visually impaired. His dental imaging company called Aldental was founded by Florida Atlantic University student Charles Russo. and a small satellite company called Femotron Systems, founded by Dr. Femi Isola of Embry-Riddle.
The Launch Your Venture competition, supported by Embry‑Riddle Research Park, focuses on student-run businesses. The April 5 event was judged in-person by a diverse panel of business executives, including nonprofit founders, leadership experts, business lawyers, and venture capital investors. The judges were Robert Katz, CEO and Executive Director of the World Innovation Network. Greg Frederick, Founder and Principal Consultant, G3 Development Group; Dennis Haber, Founder of Dennis R. Haber PA. Ben Patz, Managing General Partner of DeepWork Capital. It took place at Embry‑Riddle's MicaPlex (John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex).
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