The Launch Pod – “A Platform for Takeoff” podcast is back and we are virtual!
Ideas Pitch Competition Scholarship Winners
By Germaine Washington, MBA
The Launch Pod – “A Platform for Takeoff” podcast is back and has gone virtual. This podcast introduced our audience to HCC students who presented their ideas at the Idea Pitch Competition. The Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Southwest Campus, Ravi Brahmbhatt is dedicated to helping our students reach their entrepreneurial goals. He managed the competition that these students competed in and talked with us about how he took the competition virtual.
One competitor, Joshua Porter took classes at HCC in an effort to prepare for his admission as a freshman at the University of Texas. Another student, Davis Alford, is a non-traditional student working towards his Real Estate license at HCC. The conversation was so interesting as we discussed going completely virtual and how it affects traditional students versus the non-traditional students. The students also discussed the ideas they presented and the future of where these ideas will take them.
Joshua Porter, was my first guest featured on the podcast who described a product that he presented that came from a problem his dad was experiencing as a nurse. Many patients experience extreme pain and discomfort in the hospital when using bed pans. This prompted Joshua to develop an idea for an inflatable bed pan that can be placed underneath the patient for easier access. Joshua stated that he has not checked on manufacturing companies presently but is keeping his options open for the future.
Our second guest, an HCC student who presented organic candles that promote health and well-being. Davis Alford said he and his wife would purchase candles every week and found some to be great while other were not worth the money. This gave him the idea to create candles that are made with products that do not contain any petroleum or other ingredients that are harmful while emitting wonderful smells for your home or office. He has two sizes for sale that he makes and eventually will look for the candles to be manufactured on a national level. Ravi is working to set him up with Amazon to potentially help him sell his candles on a larger scale.
Ravi Brahmbhatt, Director, Center for Entrepreneurship,