We are excited to be working with these amazing student-led ventures in this year's Venture Incubator and Competition Program!

Kaylie Hardware Track

BSTS - Better Safe Than Sorry enhances oven safety against fire and smoke from unattended cooking accidents.

CarbonCLAIR - improves air quality by filtering carbon dioxide and particulate matter.

Flyupav - building inspection company that maintains the structural integrity of building.

Tracking Alert Device - TAD is a reliable tracking device that gives parents peace of mind to allow their adolescents to enjoy their independence safely.

ZoneCast - revolutionizes youth baseball using advanced camera technology to operate an automated strike zone system, perform pitch analysis and livestream games.

Standard Chartered Women + Tech Track

De Silva Lingerie - an e-commerce store that sells customized bras for women.

EmpowerED Finance - making learning finance less intimidating and more accessible, for first-generation students.

Easy Meets - aims to create automated unique experiences based on your preferences and your friends locally and internationally. 

FemmeFlo - a medical device meant for tracking hormones in real time allowing women to monitor their menstrual cycle.

AutoTENS - a device company that aims to automatically alleviate pain.

Zahn Social Impact Track

BH Aid - a non-profit program that emphasizes the importance of community involvement and serves as a catalyst for education, based on resource provision and development of small communities.

Career Compass - a simplified, job search and application platform meant to help people with mental challenges or specifically autism, who find traditional platforms burdensome, get jobs.

EmployAble - a webapp designed to help employee specialists create observation reports for people with disabilities. 

Inclusify - Aids its users to craft their unique story by creating their video resume.

Zahn Software Track

ArenaUnity - a gateway and service  to personalized sports experiences, connecting players to the games they love.

Home Dojo - A premium VR solution for learning and teaching MMA remotely.

Savvy - an AI-powered assistant that provides shoppers with curated recommendations and insights, saving them time and money.

Velocity - an efficient time management tool that helps busy students meet all their goals.

YDH - an app that provides solutions, answers and connections about your health.

Representing diverse neighborhoods in New York and New Jersey, 26 high school students can now proudly proclaim themselves Bossgirls and join this ever-expanding entrepreneurship community as the seventh cohort. Sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank’s Futuremakers Initiative and powered by the Zahn Innovation Center, Bossgirls teaches high school girls and non-binary students about entrepreneurship utilizing an experiential learning model.

On July 5, we kicked off our first fully in-person program post pandemic, back on the historic campus of The City College of New York. In room 107 of Shepard Hall, where numerous ideas and talents had burgeoned, we warmly welcomed a new cohort of Bossgirls with an introduction to the program and the problem sets that they were going to tackle within five weeks. Bossgirls learnt about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the UNDP and goals from the OneNYC 2050 Strategic Plan. Eventually, students formed teams based on shared interests around the top four OneNYC goals voted on by the cohort, which included A Vibrant Democracy, Equity and Excellence in Education, Healthy Lives and A Livable Climate.

During the first three weeks, the program laid a solid foundation of entrepreneurship for participants. Instructors and guest facilitators delved into crafting problem statements, conducting research, interviewing potential customers, understanding finances and the market, analyzing competitors, creating unique brands and marketing strategies, developing MVPs, generating future development plans, delivering impactful pitches and more. Students quickly applied their newly acquired knowledge and skills to their business and nonprofit ideas facilitated by a series of team and individual assignments. Their hard work, commitment to the program and support to each other enabled the transformative growth within a short period of time. Judges at the two round robin sessions held in the last two weeks were impressed by the diversity of ideas and the comprehensiveness of their pitches. 

Role models are instrumental to personal and professional development, especially the ones whom those seeking inspiration can identify with. We invited three founders, Ashonda Sanoguet from Piggy’s Repair, Sanjana Khan from Laal and Tameka Ridely from I AM LIT, to share their entrepreneurial stories. Hearing directly from small business and nonprofit founders, bossgirls got to see how these enterprises began and how they got to their current stages. Lively Q&A sessions with the founders gave students a chance to ask more about what they were interested in and struggled with. 

Learning can take place everywhere, even outside the classroom. Taking advantage of NYC’s prime location, we took the girls on two field trips. The visit to Mastercard’s office allowed the girls to see cutting edge artificial intelligence technology, hear from a panel of current employees representing diverse professional, educational and cultural backgrounds, and get a feel of working in a corporate setting. Locally, we toured Harlem, visiting The Oma Shop, a Black woman owned business, exploring the collections at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and enjoying signature shakes at the Harlem Shake.

Mentors, family and friends, attending the finale on August 3, at the Standard Chartered New York headquarters, celebrated the achievements of our bossgirls . Following enlightening remarks by representatives of Standard Chartered and the Bossgirls staff, the teams pitched their ideas and gracefully addressed questions from the audience.

The program could not have been made possible without the support of our sponsor, Standard Chartered, and the Standard Chartered mentors who coached the Bossgirls, founders who shared their entrepreneurial journeys and judges who provided feedback at round robin sessions. We would like to acknowledge and thank everyone for making this summer an inspiring experience for our 2023 cohort.

If you have been following us, you know that we have been collecting applications for our 2023 Venture Incubator and Competition. Over the past weeks, we have worked with external judges to narrow down the entries. The top teams were interviewed by Zahn staff, who then selected the semi-finalists to join our 2023 competition cohort. 

We will begin working with these teams in February. The students will complete our Lean Startup Bootcamp, conduct customer research, work towards completion of an MVP for their startups, and prepare pitch decks.  They will also meet with expert mentors throughout the program. The incubator will culminate in a Demo Day on May 2nd and Final Pitch, on May 4th.

Some of the teams are looking for additional members to join them. We are hosting a virtual “Join a Team Mixer” on January 18th, 2pm-4pm ET. If you are interested in working with one of these teams, please complete this form and also RSVP here on Eventbrite. You’ll have an opportunity to speak with the teams at this networking event and possibly find a role.   

Here are the members of the 2023 cohort.

Kaylie Hardware: Ideas include physical products and devices that may or may not include a connected (smart) technological aspect.

SiGHT is a traversal solution that uses software and hardware for people with impaired sight and blindness

Windreader is a UAV platform for observing atmospheric boundary layer characteristics at altitude

BrailleBuddy is a refreshable braille display with lightweight mechanical design and a Windows-compatible screen reader that can parse inaccessible web pages

ReH is an effective and user-friendly rehab device as an alternative to continuous passive motion machine (CPM) after total knee replacement surgeries 

Standard Chartered Women+Tech: The category celebrates the role of women in building innovative businesses leveraging technology and finding solutions to social inequities. Startups in this category must be led by women and/or have a team made up of at least 50% women.

Organovis models breast cancer and predicts drug response with high accuracy

BusSense is an assistive navigational mobile app designed to help blind and visually impaired individuals locate MTA busses

CyberTEch is making cybersecurity accessible to everyone

TechSavvy provides smartphones and training to low-income visually impaired people in NYC

Connect is a geolocation game/application which gives users more exposure to migrants and their stories by promoting travel, sharing resources and serving platforms for social interaction

Zahn Social: These teams are challenged to build ventures with a sustainable revenue model, whose primary objective is social change or environmental stewardship. They may pursue either a nonprofit or for-profit model.

Carefam.org is an online platform that offers caregiving resources to help first-time millennial caregivers 

Nusketch is an image processing application for individuals with ASD that turns a picture into a b/w outline for coloring and use as a communication tool

WalkIT is a physical and psychological training app to help people with ASD/SAD become independent progressively

Productify is a research-based ADHD productivity aid that contains multiple tools to help users become more productive

Zahn Software: This category includes transformative new apps, software, database tools, e-commerce sites, or technological devices.

DisPath is the place to find people who live and think like you

ERO is an easy-to-use application that notifies users of opportunities to lower their energy consumption to make money in both their future and current homes whether they own smart technology or not

The Study Space is an online marketplace and learning management system for educators to build their brand and income beyond their classroom 

MealMade provides meal kits using Chef’s recipes prepared by supermarkets

Tangent Point is a digital application that helps non-native English speaking students enhance their discipline-specific vocabulary

The Zahn Innovation Center fosters a community of changemakers. Encouraging young entrepreneurs to explore their creativity through startups has been one of the main focuses of the center. November 19th is Women's Entrepreneurship Day.  A global recognition of women and their contributions to the entrepreneurial community. We are highlighting the founders that achieved outstanding results in the 2022 Zahn Innovation Center Competition -- Carella, Hybridraw, and I AM LIT. Carella and I AM LIT were grand prize winners in the Standard Chartered Women+Tech competition and the Zahn Social Impact competition, respectively. They each were awarded $25,000 to further their business development. Hybridraw, a finalist in the Standard Chartered Women+Tech competition, received $5,000 in funding. Since the competition, they’ve all been busy working on product development.

Carella - Samira Chowdhury, Mehereen Meem and Samia Omar

Website: carella.one Instagram: carellallc Twitter: @carella.one

Carella is an all-in-one search engine for hobbyists seeking the best deals on auto parts! Created by three CCNY college students, Samira Chowdhury, Mehereen Meem and Samia Omar, Carella is bringing technology to the forefront of the automotive industry by empowering car owners to make informative decisions about their car, and help them get connected to the right mechanics and sellers that will give them the best deals. Think of it as the matchmaker between the customer and the auto parts distributors and vendors.

In October, Carella was accepted into the NY I-Corps Hub x Gotham Innovation Gambit Virtual Regional I-Corps, where they will do a deep dive into customer discovery. Mehereen is leading their research efforts. The customer insight data collected will inform the design of Carella’s platform and features.

Starting a business while enrolled in college full time is not easy. It takes a lot of self-motivation and drive to stay focused.  “The idea of being in charge of my own innovative ideas has always driven me to have my own business,” says Samia. 

Samira has a similar thought, “I became an entrepreneur because I wanted to run my own business and have a say in what I want to do and make a larger impact. I have been a tech person for a long time, and this felt like the right step in bringing my knowledge of this field to the next level. I don't think it was something I always intended for but I am very happy to have found the road to entrepreneurship.” 
 

I AM LIT - Tameka Ridley

Website: officialiamlit.com  Facebook and Instagram: @official.iamlit

After winning two Blackstone LaunchPad competitions and the Zahn Social Impact competition, Tameka Ridley launched I AM LIT that stands for I AM LITERATURE, a mentoring organization that teaches people of color, and underrepresented groups how to write and publish books. It is a platform that connects clients to experienced authors for one-on-one mentoring in writing and publishing with professional publishing packages and guides. 

The founder of I AM LIT, Tameka states ” I became an entrepreneur to inspire people, to honor my ancestors, and to make a meaningful impact in my community through literature. Ridley confirms that I AM LIT is making an impact in New York City by helping people of all ages to write and publish books. With their programs being the most affordable in the market, I AM LIT connects clients to authors who guide them throughout the entire writing and publishing process, and their aim is to make publishing more accessible to everyone.

In the near future, Tameka plans to partner with Lehman College and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women to bring the writing mentorship program to their members. I AM LIT will also celebrate their first client releasing her first book in 2023. When asked for professional advice, Tameka states “ There will always be challenges ahead but embrace them as opportunities to learn and grow from. Persevering is the key to managing a sustainable business and being able to pivot as needed.”

Hybridraw - Ambika Paliwal 

Website: hybridraw.com

Hybridraw is creating non-toxic, biodegradable sanitary pads. Ambika Paliwal, Hybridraw’s founder, has  a master’s degree in Sustainability in Urban Environment from The City College of New York. The idea for Hybridraw came from her concerns for the environmental impact and health issues related to the use of the standard feminine hygiene pads. 

She has been contemplating this for a while. As an adolescent, Ambika developed her own sanitary pads. When she heard about the Zahn Incubator Competition she seized the opportunity to make her dream come true. Ambika has created a prototype and is currently conducting product testing. She wants to make sure her pad is not only safe, but has the best fit and absorption. When asked about making it this far in her journey, Ambika states “It's all about consistency and believing in yourself”. 

Kudos to our founders! If you are interested in supporting these startups, follow them on social media for the latest developments, and opportunities to participate.

This summer the CCNY campus was abuzz with the energy only high schoolers can generate. Thirty five students representing cities across New York and New Jersey were here for the Bossgirls Program. Sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank’s Futuremakers Initiative and powered by the Zahn Innovation Center, Bossgirls teaches high school girls about entrepreneurship utilizing an experiential learning model.  

Our first time back on campus since 2019, and we were just as excited as the girls! This is our sixth year and the first time we implemented a hybrid model. The program commenced on July 5, and was a blend of live virtual and in-person sessions.

Week 1 was on campus. The girls entered the classroom on the first day with curiosity, trepidation, and excitement. By the end of the week, we had glimpses of their individual personalities and interests. The students quickly bonded with each other, forming a cohesive cohort.

With a focus on social entrepreneurship and developing business acumen, we used the lean startup methodology to guide the bossgirls through a simulated creation of a startup. We began our journey learning about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The students selected five of the seventeen goals to address. They chose:

• # 3 - Good Health and Well-Being
• # 4 - Quality Education
• # 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
• # 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
• # 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

After researching these SDGs, the bossgirls identified a specific problem to solve. Each team then developed a business plan and pitch deck, reflecting their unique perspectives. Their plans included market research, competitive analysis, business financials and a prototype. Throughout the program, thirty three Standard Chartered employees volunteered their time to work closely with the teams providing mentorship and insight. An additional group of industry professionals joined us as guest lecturers and pitching coaches.

Having access to role models is important. We brought in women entrepreneurs to share their experiences founding companies. Being able to speak directly with CEOs and presidents, was enlightening and inspiring for the bossgirls.  Our guest speakers included Amy Divaraniya of  Oova, Yan Lawrence of The Regime, and Deepali Vyasthe of Fearless+. All are CEO and founder of their respective companies. This is in addition to our instructors Georgie-Ann Getton, Kesia Hudson, and most of our presenters and industry mentors.

The program culminated with our Bossgirls Finale, on August 4. With family, friends, mentors and staff in attendance, in person and via the live stream, our bossgirls took the stage at Standard Chartered’s midtown headquarters.  Each team had 3 minutes to present followed by 2 minutes of Q&A from the audience. Our bossgirls masterfully pitched their startup ideas. Each demonstrated the knowledge, skills and confidence achieved during this program. We’re so proud of them and we are excited to see what is next for our bossgirls!

Bossgirls 2022 Cohort: 

Team: A.S.K.

Team Members: Kimberly, Shradda

SDG Goal: 3. Good Health and Well-Being
Problem Statement: 27 million people struggling with mental illness go untreated in the U.S. due to access and cost

Solution: provide easy access to resources to help people improve and maintain a positive state of mental health

Team: Resort EDU 

Team Members: Adela, Julie, Marian

SDG Goal:4. Quality Education

Problem Statement:  As of this year, 45 million American students have student loan debt totaling over a trillion dollars, and it takes on average more than 20 years to pay off the loans.

Solution: Online portal that provides resources and employment opportunities to help manage and pay off the debt

Team: IVY Desk

Team Members: Jade, Joanne, Vedasri

SDG Goal: 4. Quality Education

Problem Statement:  Over the Covid-19 pandemic, many educators struggled to make the transition from in person classroom learning to online learning, exposing vulnerabilities in school curriculums.

Solution: Create a portal that equips teachers with adequate skills on how to navigate technology, ultimately improving how students learn for future generations

Team: Rizz

Team Members: Khyathi, Lihie, Mehr, Shruti, Viktoriya

SDG Goal: 3. Good Health and Well-Being

Problem Statement: After the height of the pandemic young adults find it hard to find people with similar interests and connect in real life due to feelings of anxiety and distrust.  

Solution: Help young adults connect based on interests instead of looks, and build real and intimate relationships

Team: The Purple Elephant

Team Members: Emilia, Kaitlyn

SDG Goal: 3. Good Health and Well-Being

Problem Statement: There is an underserved need for qualified service providers for  individuals with Alzheimer's.

Solution: Create an online platform that educates, trains and certifies caretakers 

Team: Miss Planet

Team Members: Mia, Sophie, Sydney

SDG Goal: 6. Clean Water and Sanitation

Problem Statement: Pipeline construction, use and spillage damages the environment, the surrounding ecosystems and communities.

Solution: Centralized information on constructions and spills, clean ups and emergency resources

Team: Reduce, Reusing, Supplies (RRS)

Team Members: Imanie, Nicole

SDG Goal: 4. Quality Education

Problem Statement: Underfunded schools place the burden of providing supplies on the teachers and parents, additionally many new or under-utilized school supplies are tossed away by graduating students that no longer need them.

Solution: Create local donation campaigns as well as student-run clubs in high schools to collect materials no longer needed

Team: Aware Ability

Team Members: Isabel, Layla, Nancy 

SDG Goal: 4. Quality Education

Problem Statement: 29% of students between the age of 14-17 suffer from ADHD or ADD in the U.S. 

Solution: An online tool that minimizes distractions and provides the student with support to improve focus

Team: Flora Center

Team Members: Awa, Brianna, Gabriela, Mahiat, Malika, Pearl

SDG Goal: 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

Problem Statement: There are over 90,000 homeless people in NYC, They lack dependable access to shelter, food and employment.

Solution: Create an urban-based housing and agricultural training program

Team: Closet Cleanse 

Team Members: Allison, Hannah, Jigna, Roxanne, Sally 

SDG Goal: 12. Responsible Consumption and Production

Problem Statement: Fast fashion is the cheapest and most accessible option for clothing purchase, however it negatively impacts our resources and environment.

Solution: A pickup and delivery service where customers can donate and exchange used clothes for newer ones

Thank you so much to Standard Chartered for sponsoring the Bossgirls Program. Its generosity makes this programming possible. With gratitude, we also acknowledge everyone who worked with us.

Amy Divaraniya, the founder and CEO of OOva, will tell you she had no intention of becoming an entrepreneur. As a matter of fact, she avoided taking any business courses during undergraduate studies, but as fate would have it, Amy was destined to be an entrepreneur.

Instead of business, Amy gravitated towards science with a focus on biology. She was interested in the intersection of biology and technology. Getting her masters degree in bioinformatics merged these two sectors for her. After graduating, Amy joined a large pharmaceutical company. It was a challenging environment for a young woman fresh out of graduate school with lots of innovative ideas to make an impact. There was a lot of bureaucracy and promotions were given to her male colleagues. Amy realized having a doctorate degree would add a lot more validity to the ideas she had and help her to compete in this industry. So, she went back to school.

Amy and her husband were trying to start a family, while she finished her doctorate degree. They were struggling to get pregnant. Amy tried all of the available tools and kits in the market, but found them to be inadequate. They are designed for women who have regular menstrual cycles, which she did not. After 18 stressful months, Amy conceived her son! Although she was fortunate, Amy knew there had to be a better way. Leveraging her data science and genetic science expertise, Amy developed Oova, the first at-home multi-diagnostic fertility test to confirm ovulation with groundbreaking precision and clinical accuracy. This discovery changed her outlook on entrepreneurship.

Founder Talk with Amy Divaraniya, was in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month. This event concludes The Standard Chartered Women’s Entrepreneurship Program Spring Speaker Series. To hear the full conversation moderated by Valerie Pholpituke, of Standard Chartered, click here.

Congratulations to all our startups for making it this far, your hard work paid off!

We're excited to announce the grand prize winners across our four tracks, including I AM LIT(Zahn Social Impact), Hobbs (Kaylie Hardware), Autism Bridge(Zahn Software), and Carella (Standard Chartered Women+Tech). Each of these teams were awarded $25,000 for the development of their businesses.

Second place prizes of $5,000 went to Healing Arts (Zahn Social), Guardian (Kaylie Hardware), ARLE Clothing(Zahn Software), and HybridRaw (Standard Chartered Women+Tech). Congrats to all!

Thank you as well to our panel of judges:
 

Adriana Vasquez, founder, Wear Lilu

Alessandro Ciari, Assistant Director, CUNY School of Public Health

James Herndon, Commissioner, NYC Department of Veterans Services

Karen Bhatia, SVP Tech, NYCEDC

Ken Grimes, Principal, Bessemer Trust

Ramesh Rengaragen, Eagle Tree Capital

Sonia Rosetti, Regional Head Corporate Affairs & Brand & Marketing, Europe and Americas, Standard Chartered

I am pleased to share our 2021 annual report with you. (Click the post title to see the links!)

The significant successes presented here are a reflection of the efforts and passion of a large community. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this community, to be working with our program participants, and to be connecting with stakeholders and partners. As we enter the spring season, we are excited to be welcoming students back on campus and back to programs both online and in person. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events or as supporters of our programs!

Oftentimes when we speak of Women’s History Month we reference events that occurred many years ago. We think of the generations that preceded us and overlook what is happening now. For this year’s Her Story Month, Standard Chartered and the Zahn Innovation Center celebrated the historical impact our community members are currently making.

We hosted two events, beginning with International Women’s Day. Katherine Olives, Bossgirls Program Manager, spoke with Yoelle Gulko, a sophomore at Washington University and Elizabeth Shvarts, a senior at Staten Island Technical High School. Both are alumni of our Standard Chartered Bossgirls Program, an immersive entrepreneurial educational program for high school students. 

Yoelle is the founder of  A Concerned Human, a video production company. She creates short films about the power of human connection and venturing outside of your comfort zone.  Elizabeth is co-founder/co-director of Bridge to Literacy, a global, UNESCO-recognized U.S Department of State-funded nonprofit that fosters a love of language through literacy-based mentorship of 150+ youth across 6 continents. They both credited the Bossgirls program for equipping them with skills that continue to support their educational and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Our next founder talk featured Kim Wales, the Founder and CEO of Wales Capital and CrowdBureau, LLC. She is an Adjunct Professor at The City College of New York (CCNY) and a member of the Zahn Innovation Center’s Advisory Board. She is an author, advocate and pioneer on the JOBS Act 2012 (equity and debt internet finance) and the democratization of capital for investors, small cap companies and non-publicly traded funds. In conversation with Lenny Bell and Martha Adeline, of Standard Chartered, Kim discussed what led her to create CrowdBureau and the challenges she overcame.

The work these women are doing now are shaping the future of entrepreneurship and social impact. They are inspiring the next Futuremakers.

The Standard Chartered Women’s Entrepreneurship Program at the Zahn Innovation Center kicked off its spring speaker series with a Black History Month Founder Talk with Joy Fowler. She is the  co-founder of A MIRacle Foundation, Inc.

In 2012, A MIRacle Foundation, Inc. was formed by Joy and her husband Allen after the loss of their son, Amir. Amir had a neurological disorder, developmental delays, and was deemed medically fragile by age five. He was 13 years old when he succumbed to this degenerative disorder. When he passed away, Joy knew she had to do something for his memory to live on. In Amir’s honor, she decided to create a foundation to help other families, children, and caregivers. 

It started with a one simple initiative, supplying a snack wagon for the medical staff at Randall’s Children’s Hospital, where Amir had regularly frequented for treatments. The doctors and nurses could grab snacks on the go and stay fueled throughout their busy day. This year marks A MIRacle Foundation’s 10 year anniversary, and its impact is seen throughout Oregon. The organization has installed accessible playground equipment for special needs children at a Portland park, helped subsidize medical equipment for families where insurance doesn’t cover the cost, and partnered with the City of Portland to provide 200 children with computers and internet service in a quest to eliminate the great divide. Most recently, they collaborated with Culture City to create a sensory room at the Portland International Airport, for anyone with an invisible disability that needs some down time.

Joy admitted that running a non-profit is challenging, but being a planner by nature has really been an asset. Having spent time carefully thinking about the organization’s purpose and who she wanted to focus on serving has helped them design highly impactful programs. Running an organization with your spouse isn’t for everyone, but Joy and Allen have found a way that works for them. Joy shared, “We operate differently. It is like night and day…We both think our way is the right way, but we let each other move through the process in our own way. We both end up at the same destination.”

To hear the full conversation moderated by Debra Thomas and Chloe Petrich, of Standard Chartered, click here.

The Standard Chartered Speaker Series continues in March, in celebration of Women’s History Month. You can find details of our upcoming events here.

It’s that time of year again! We’re excited to announce the twenty student-led ventures who will participate in our 2022 Startup Incubator Competition.

Competing for the Kaylie Hardware Prize:

Bioreactor - A unit that incubates organic matter

Guardian - A wearable camera that prevents assault and notifies loved ones

Hobbs - A digital weight machine that allows you to work out at home without equipment

Hydroot - A friendly smart planter

The Cone Screw - A funnel that attaches to cones to fill them optimally

Competing for the Standard Chartered Women+Tech Prize:

Carella - A virtual platform to find auto parts at the best price

Hybridraw - Sustainable sanitary pads

Ooni - An online space that allows black women to challenge the cultural narrative around haircare

Skinschip - A service to culture skin and provide personalized skincare needs via an organic chip

Rx Reminders - An application that reminds the elderly to take medication

Competing for the Zahn Social Impact Prize:

AfroCrops - A farmer’s coalition that helps farmers develop their agri-businesses in African nations

Homequisite - A mobile app that allows users to share and try different regional dishes

I AM LIT - A virtual mentoring organization offering inexpensive resources for aspiring authors of African American children’s books

Set Settal - An organization that aims to reduce e-waste

Healing Arts - An organization that provides art therapy for senior citizens through painting

Competing for the Zahn Tech Prize:

Arle Clothing - An automated apparel authentication system

Autism Bridge - A mobile platform that connects job seekers with ASD and employers

MEDtalk - A mobile application helping non-English speakers communicate in hospital settings

Parkit - A web-based platform that explains parking signs

THOR - A 3D mapping technology for geological researchers

As part of our program, students will complete our Lean Startup Bootcamp, work towards completion of an MVP for their startups, and prepare pitch decks. The program will culminate in a Demo Day (May 3rd) & Final Pitch (May 5th). They will also meet with expert mentors throughout the program.

We plan for the 2022 cohort to engage with us in a hybrid model, both in-person and online. In addition to our weekly Startup Bootcamp courses, mentor hours, and pitch practices, students will participate in optional skill boosting workshops and connect with founders at virtual speaker series & mixers. Many of these additional events will be open to the public, allowing for more students at CCNY, and entrepreneurs in the local community, to take advantage of our resources. 

The full calendar of events will be updated in the New Year, and you will be able to find it on the events page of our website.

For now, keep Demo Day & Final Pitch on your calendars, and follow us on social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn) for updates @zahncenternyc 

Additionally, if you are interested in mentoring the teams listed above, fill out the form here.

Last week, many of you voted for your favorite startups during a virtual Demo Day the Pre app, and also attended our virtual Final Pitch where you heard from startups competing in our four categories for top prizes. In all, CCNY startups collected $120,000 in prizes, which they'll use to further develop their businesses. We hope to share more news about these resilient teams in the future, but for now, here are the results of the 2021 Demo Day & Final Pitch:

the Zahn Social Impact Prize:

The 1st place prize of $25,000 was awarded to GoodMD, a web-based health platform that connects you with clinics who can provide the best care at the lowest price. 

The 2nd place prize of $5,000 was awarded to Civic Monitor, A comprehensive data infrastructure for the issue positions and ideas of candidates, to enable African voters to know, compare and interact with their candidates for political office. Civic Monitor was also Awarded the Audience Choice Award, decided on the Pre App during Demo Week by our greater community. 

the Standard Chartered Women+Tech Prize:

The 1st place prize of $25,000 was awarded to Skin Releaf, an online platform that provides persons of color access to dermatologists, skin experts,and education to help manage their skin health.

The 2nd place prize of $5,000 went to Nailerz, an online platform where licensed nail technicians or small businesses go to promote on-demand nail services to clientele within the area, and gives the user the ability to find a remote nail service tailored to their personal nail art design desires. Nailerz also took home the Audience Choice Award.

the Zahn Technology Prize:

The 1st place prize of $25,000 went to AlgoRythm, an educational app that is aiming to simplify computer science concepts for high school students. AlgoRythm also won the Audience Choice Award.

The $5,000 2nd place prize went to Fasfit, a fashion hub that promotes inclusivity and originality through networking and creative services.

the Kaylie Prize for Hardware:

The $25,000 1st place prize was awarded to Visual, a haptic feedback device to assist visually impaired individuals, navigating their surroundings. They also won the Audience Choice Award.

Vertibrave, a technological solution to have true affirmation of spinal surgical success through real-time tracking, won the $5,000 2nd place prize in this category.

We couldn't have had a successful Final Pitch without the help of our judging panel, including:

Zahn Social Impact Prize:

• Amrita Bhandari, Chief of Business Development, Acumen
• Shabnam Rezaei, Co-founder and President, Big Bad Boo Studios & Oznoz
• Peter Zahn, President, Futures Unbound

Standard Chartered Women+Tech Prize:

• Nydia Clayton, Principal, Deloitte
• Patty Fuster, Managing Director, Regional CIO Europe & Americas, Standard Chartered
• Acacia Lawrie, Investor, 37 Angels

Zahn Technology Prize:

• Erica Matsumoto, Director of Partnerships and New Initiatives, NYC Media Lab
• Steven Rodriguez, Regional Manager US/Canada, Techstars
• Adrienne Schmoeker, Advisor, Urban AI

Kaylie Prize for Hardware:

• Suma Reddy, CEO, Future Acres
• Shelby Thompson, Senior Community Manager, SecondMuse
• Andrew Wooten, Senior Director of Innovation Management, CCNY

We also want to thank our Demo Day judges, who decided our finalists on May 6th. Judges include:

Zahn Social Impact Prize:

• Esmeralda Herrera, Director of Programs and Community Relations, Communitas America
• Amer Jandali, Founder, Future Meets Present
• Cris Mercado, Founder & CEO, Grant Answers

Standard Chartered Women+Tech Prize:

• Jen Jones, Co-founder & Managing Editor, Women You Should Know
• Lona Vincent, Design Team, Business Model Innovation, Johnson & Johnson
• Matthew Washington, Deputy Borough President, Manhattan Borough President’s Office

Zahn Technology Prize:

• Anthony De La Rosa, Senior Program Manager, Uber
• Jonathan Hakakian, Managing Director, Soundboard Venture Fund
• Arber Ruci, Acting Director, CUNY Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Kaylie Prize for Hardware:

• Alessandro Ciari, Assistant Director, CUNY Center for Systems & Community Design
• Miles Flamenbaum, CEO, Actasys
• DB Lampman, Associate Director, Makerspace NYC

And of course, we'd like to say a big thank you to our major sponsors, Irwin Zahn, Standard Chartered, and the Kaylie family for their donations which ensure CCNY student entrepreneurs are able to advance their innovations and pursue their dreams.

In celebration of Black History Month, the Zahn Center along with the Black Studies Program at CCNY hosted a Fireside Chat with two amazing founders: Dr. Quincy Brown of blackcomputeHER and Regina Gwynn of Black Women Talk Tech. They discussed representation in tech entrepreneurship, as well as why we should invest in Black communities and see entrepreneurship as a path to wealth. We asked some of our own Black founders who attended the panel to share their thoughts as well.

Both Dr. Quincy Brown and Regina Gwynn create spaces for Black women in their work. Black Women Talk Tech is a collective of Black women tech founders who understand both the challenges they face and the advantages they bring to the tech industry. Their goal is to support and encourage Black women to build the next billion dollar businesses. Regina Gwynn believes that “success is when preparation meets opportunity.” However, she noticed that while “Black women have the most advanced degrees, highest levels of education, and are starting businesses faster than any other group in the country, they still receive less than a percent of venture capital.” Along with her co-founders, Gwynn created Black Women Talk Tech to ensure Black women have a seat at the table. “Black and Brown people influence culture and consume high levels of technology….we wanted to be able to own the technology we consume.” 

Dr. Quincy Brown and her graduate school classmates noticed that they themselves were excluded from the table. They went to conference after conference and noticed that other’s research (often lacking compared to theirs) was being published, and they were not being offered the same opportunities. They started having “conferences after the conference,” where they were finally allowed to have the conversations they needed. Brown and her co-founders created blackcomputeHER as a safe place for Black women to discuss what they need for their community. The organization is dedicated to supporting tech education and workforce development for Black women and girls. She adds, “Ee wear a mask that’s heavy, and there’s no place where you can just let it go and talk about the things that hurt you.” Her events give Black women the chance to take off the mask.

Both Brown and Gwynn actively invest in Black communities through their work. Gwynn notes, “White families on average hold ten times more wealth than the average Black family, but if one Black family starts a business, that multiple lowers to only three times.” That’s why she believes that everyone, especially those in the Black community, should start looking at entrepreneurship as a path to wealth. For Gwynn, entrepreneurship was a part of her upbringing. Her father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all entrepreneurs, so she grew up with entrepreneurship on the table. 

In contrast, Brown admits that she didn’t learn this stuff, and entrepreneurship didn’t always come naturally to her. Now she’s learning along the way, and noticed that finding people who have both a technical background and also know the community is so important. That’s why representation is important to her. Gwynn adds that creating spaces is the first step to building representation. She shared, “It’s interesting to see how easy it is to wash over us--it’s very easy to do, but it’s felt--when you’re in certain spaces but you don’t feel comfortable enough, you don’t ask the questions that you need to ask.”

Many of our own Zahn Center Black founders agree with the panelists. Anna-kay Ellis, founder of I Am My Health and a competitor for the 2021 Standard Chartered prize noted that, “Representation in tech entrepreneurship is important in order to create culturally appropriate technologies that account for diversity and inclusiveness.” 

Her sentiments are echoed by Johnoy Gordon, co-founder of Team UV and a current competitor for the 2021 Kaylie prize. He states that representation is important to him because “it shows that creators and innovators are just as diverse as the products we create.” 

Daniel Gaston, co-founder of STEM Hive, the 2019 first place Standard Chartered prize winner agrees. He says that to him, representation is a jigsaw puzzle where everyone only has one piece: “alone, one person would not be enough to solve it, but by collaborating with others who have different pieces, they are able to think of new strategies and eventually solve the problem. That's why I feel as we get more representation, we are gaining access to new pieces and are able to create new solutions that we haven't thought of before.”

Mahutin Paul, co-founder of FitKO, first place winner of the 2019 Kaylie prize adds, “Representation to me means putting a spotlight on the people who have been there all along….It’s making the industry and workplace reflect reality.”

Through their respective organizations, Brown and Gwynn hope that they’ll increase the amount of Black women tech founders. They’re also helping to make Black women feel like the powerful founders they are, even if sometimes Brown and Gwynn themselves experience imposter syndrome! Brown admits that although she sometimes doesn’t see herself as a “powerful woman in entrepreneurship,” she finds peace in knowing that she “creates time and space for others to be themselves.” That is her favorite part of being an entrepreneur.

Some of our own founders have similar thoughts, like Marvel Delva of Periodic Skin, a startup competing for the 2021 Standard Chartered prize. “My favorite aspect of being a Black individual in tech and entrepreneurship is the freedom to solve problems that can elevate my community.” He’s taking the knowledge he gained from this panel and is planning to reach out more to his own community. “I think it is important to develop a better relationship with people and understand their viewpoints,” he shared, “then, use that information to improve my business.”

Mhegan Alexander-Lee, co-founder of Nailerz and another competitor in the 2021 Standard Chartered track, took so much from hearing Dr. Quincy Brown and Regina Gwynn speak. “My favorite aspect of being a first generation Caribbean African American individual in entrepreneurship is that I get to create the life that I want while gaining financial freedom for myself and others. I also get the opportunity to see my unique ideas and my visions turn into reality that can one day make a change in the world, just like Dr. Quincy Brown and Regina Gwynn.”

As entrepreneurs, both Brown and Gwynn agree that they would not have made any changes to the world without taking on the risk of failing. Gwynn stresses that if you aren’t putting yourself in the position to let failure happen, then you’re not improving your business. “I never lose,” she says, “I either win, or I learn.” 

Brown has taken an engineer’s approach to failure. She prefers to reframe it as iterating, and looks at failure as step one, and step two is learning and growing--it’s a cycle that moves in a new direction. However, she realizes that for some, failure is a huge risk to take on. We rest easy knowing that at blackcomputeHER, Black Women Talk Tech, and even at the Zahn Center, the community will catch you when you fall, and raise you back up to reach your dreams.

****

Thank you to all who attended last week’s Fireside Chat with Dr. Quincy Brown and Regina Gwynn. The event would not have been possible without our sponsors at Standard Chartered. If you missed the event, we’re giving you a chance to watch the video recap here for a limited time. The link will expire on April 1, 2021. 

Watch the video via YouTube here.

Last month we held our final virtual Fireside Chat of the Fall semester with a panel of three veteran entrepreneurs along with a Zahn/CCNY alum and marine corps vet, Danny Tsoi, as the moderator. Our panel consisted of Mark Gatanas, Founder of Vizornet, Inc, Elana “Lana”  Duffy, Founder of Pathfinder.Vet and James Hendon, Founder of EnergyEDC and Commissioner of NYC Department of Veterans Affairs. It was a timely discussion as it immediately followed Veteran’s Day. Our panelists and moderator shared their experiences launching their own businesses and navigating entrepreneurship as veterans. The audience, consisting of a mix of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters, asked thoughtful questions in this engaging session. Here’s a recap of the event:

Lana founded Pathfinder.Vet because she saw a need. “I was getting out of the service and I needed to figure out where I fit in the community that I was coming back to. I wanted to learn what was around, what services, what benefits I qualified for, what services were available to me in New York and New Jersey and even at a national level.” Sometimes your personal wants and needs inspire a business.. Lana stated, “I needed the service myself and I realized it wasn’t out there and the more people I talked to, the more people were saying if this existed I would be in a better place right now and so I decided to build it.” 

Danny commented, “That’s a good thing to do when you have your own problem and you're trying to solve it not only for yourself but for other people that have similar problems and it's great that you're your own customer.”

Others like Mark and James, after the military, went on to work for someone else and realized that their destiny was to be an entrepreneur. Mark worked in Information Technology and Information Systems Management after he retired from the Army. After working for IT companies, Mark decided to create his own IT holding company that involved consulting and engineering services. James went to school after he got out of the military, worked at a corporation where he was unhappy, and then ran into his social enterprise professor. The professor told him to reach out to one of his classmates who just won funding for their startup. James worked at this startup, BlocPower, for three years. While working at BlocPower, James realized that he wanted to continue to help people, especially with the green initiative. Because of this desire,  he set up his own startup, EnergyEDC. Being an entrepreneur is within us no matter what we do in life. It clearly shows that with Mark and James.

Danny asked the panel, “How does your military experience influence your day to day as a leader and as an entrepreneur, and what lessons have you learned that you constantly apply from your military experience?”

Lana shared that she enlisted post college and did everything that was demanded of her from mowing lawns, writing reports, to interrogating. Everyday was different. “In a startup world, there is no day just like yesterday, even if I am working on the same type of task.” 

Danny could relate to what Lana shared about her military experience. “Military experience teaches you grit and being able to resist the temptation to slack and give up.” “[It’s an] amazing trait and necessary to be an entrepreneur and it's the vital ingredient.” 

James added that he agreed with what Lana and Danny shared, and stated that, “The military is a leadership laboratory where it is designed for you to fail in a safe environment so that when you are out and it's the real deal you will not fail, you will succeed.” 

Mark shared that, “Some things came naturally, we are mission oriented, we take a disciplined approach.” 

During the time of COVID, we all have to adjust the way we live and this is also the same with how we run our businesses. One of Mark’s partner companies is in the health and beauty industry, and they decided to create a specific catalog for emergency products. Lana shared that they had to adapt and overcome their challenges. “We had to switch up our customer model without having to change our core technology, still able to find new customer segments and find new opportunities that are fueling our mission, and get [the] data we needed and be able to train our AI system in a way that we can pay our developers this month.” This shows that in a startup space, you have to learn to pivot. James stated that the needs for the veterans in NYC shifted with the pandemic. The main focus is now on food, housing, and employment.

We concluded the event by asking what resources panelists could share for veteran startups and entrepreneurs. James stated that the “Primary things entrepreneurs need are financial, social and intellectual capital.” The panelists also suggested that going back to your school/alma mater can help--they may have resources for you. Here is the list of resources that were shared with the guests: Kaufman Fastrack, Steve Blank, Lean Launchpad, NYU Vet Incubator, Bunker Labs, Patriot Bootcamp, Vets in Tech, Score.
We’re thrilled that we could bring these entrepreneurs together in a virtual setting, and we’re looking forward to more events like this in the future. Stay tuned & visit  our Virtual Welcome Center for our full calendar of events. New events for the Spring semester will be added soon, including fireside chats in February & March! Follow us on social media @ZahnCenterNYC and keep in touch with us at contact@zahncenternyc.com .

Our Founders Fireside Chats are a great way for students to hear from founders and visionaries, but they’re also a great opportunity for us to connect with founders in our community. The first Fireside Chat for the fall semester was held in October and featured Arlan Hamilton, Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital. The conversation was moderated by Ramona Ortega, Founder of My Money My Future. We’re big fans of both these awesome women, so here is a recap of the event for you to enjoy:

Ramona introduced Arlan and commented that, “She is a prolific speaker, author and hero for so many of us who are founders and particular tech founders in the ecosystem.” Ramona’s company My Money My Future is part of the Backstage family, and she was fortunate enough to meet Arlan in her early days. 

Arlan started the conversation by telling us a bit about herself. “I never expected a room would know me.” She was born in Mississippi and grew up in Texas. When she was in her thirties she struggled to figure herself out concretely, Arlan states, “I had really cool gigs [and] I was working in live music with different artists and had to work my way up over [a] decade to that position, but I was still very curious about the startup world for various reasons.” Arlan learned about the disparities in venture capital and startup resources, noticing that the majority of funding was going to white cis-gender men. She didn’t think that made much business sense; it was leaving so much of the population out of the equation.  This is when she decided to try something herself and take what she’s learned about life and apply it to venture capital. The idea was to invest in 100 companies owned by underrepresented founders by 2020. She wanted to prove others wrong.Arlan surpassed her goal: “We have invested in 150 companies, we reached 100 by 2018, and [they are] all led by women, by people of color, and/or LGBTQ, which I am all three.” 

Ramona said to Arlan, “You have broken so many rules in this industry, not only not having come out of a top tier school and the normal trajectory of silicon valley men, just the fact you are a black woman, a queer woman and you’re from the South and so many things you have broken the mold for….I think [this] is what you also see in so many founders. A lot of the founders you invest in don’t come from that mold. That’s the blessing in what you are doing...it really has been the underrepresented or underestimated founder. “

She then asked Arlan to talk about any common threads she looks for when it comes to investing in companies, and has she always looked for the same thing. Ultimately, Arlan revealed that things haven’t changed very much when it comes to her investing. “When you look at companies at an early stage, you have to trust your gut and look at a complete list of things: you’re not just looking to see if they are underrepresented, you’re not just looking at something about their story [that] touches you because we [are] only investing in 2% in what we see and we’re seeing thousands of companies.” It is also a lot based on instinct.

Ramona encouraged Arlan to talk about financial freedom. “For me, it's a combination of both individually and as a group. Buying a car for mom at 39… I bought my mom a really nice car and thought about all the cars we had and didn’t have. I don’t feel like I bought that car, the work my mom did [for] the first 39 years bought that car combined with the work I’ve done. She is already building a generational wealth and enabling me to be able to do what I do. I don’t have children, but I like the idea of catalyzing so many people that those seeds are planted in every which way and that the individual is empowered.” Arlan explained. She continued to say that financial wealth is about “creating something for your offspring to have something. It is also about you today and you in the next few years, and getting to enjoy yourself and your life today... owning success and being happy about achieving something small for yourself.”

Ramona then asked what is on the horizon for Arlan personally in terms of her own brand. Arlan said,“I’m going to be the person catalyzing.There is not much I can do on my own, but I can take, earn, build and then put that right back into the soil. There is no stopping us. Representation and amplification of our work is so important.”

Next, Ramona asked Arlan to share some of her practices and advice for staying healthy over the course of her work. Arlan laughed and said, “People associate me with naps because I no longer have vices, I don’t drink, I guess my vice is food. I love a good meal and COVID has not been helping with that. You need to have the understanding that you have permission to take care of yourself and you have permission not to stress out to the max, work overloaded. exhausted, drained of all energy and creativity…. {you are] still considered a real founder if you do that and don’t do that to yourself, there is a hustle culture in startup land that is toxic and dangerous and is not rooted in any sort of logic. Take naps!” 

Arlan fielded several questions with the audience and below are some examples.

A question from Mahmoud: “Can you talk a little bit more about instinct, what does that mean to you, where does it come from, what influences your instinct, is it more of an emotional response to conversations or certain specific green flags you see?” 

Arlan mentioned that she was going to give a short version answer for this question. She talks about this topic on a deeper version on a podcast by her friend Beta Luca, of which she was a guest on. Arlan states that instinct is “A series of trial and error helps you build an algorithm of starting to trust your own judgement. Take a little bit of risk, put yourself out there, and be willing to be wrong. [You can] start at any age and you can start saying I’m going to start making decisions and keeping track of how those decisions pay off, and who do I have in my orbit and my world and what opportunities I say yes or no to and what I decide on.”

The next question was from Venetta: “I love the Backstage Crowd, do you encourage upwardly mobile people of color to start syndicates in their communities? What are the disadvantages of platforms like this.?”

Arlan responded, “If you are not doing this full time like we are, I would not suggest to setup a whole syndicate sort of website [or] a whole platform... it is expensive for us, takes several people to run, and a lot to take on, [especially] if you don’t have a fund already. You can start an angel group. If you can invest already, either join an existing angel group or angel syndicate or several..”

The next question was from Keith:: “A warm intro is considered the gold standard as the best way to get access to investors you don’t have personal relationships with. Without those connections directly can you comment on the best ways to cold connect with investors for fund raising?” 

Arlan explained that  they don’t have a warm introduction policy at Backstage. You can go directly to backstagecapital.com and you can apply for office hours. They have rolling office hours and group office hours. She added, “You don’t have to know anybody at Backstage in order to talk to us. A lot of funds have events, attend their events and panels to get to know them better, research them.”

Through a random drawing, we gave away three copies of Arlan’s book, It’s About Damn Time. The winners are Ewelina, Tina and Norval, students and faculty at CCNY. Norval shared with us a photo of him with the book when he received it.

It’s that time of year again! We’re excited to announce the sixteen student-led ventures who will participate in our 2021 Startup Incubator Competition: 

As part of our program, students will complete our Lean Startup Bootcamp, work towards completion of an MVP for their startups, and prepare pitch decks. The program will culminate in a virtual Demo Day (May 6th) & Final Pitch (May 7th). They will also meet with expert mentors throughout the program.

The startups in this cohort are tackling complex problems, in fields like healthcare, education, and more, at home and abroad. Many are also focused on solving issues that the pandemic has brought into focus, and are creating solutions to serve New York’s hard-hit industries like the fashion and restaurant industries. Additionally, some of these startups were born out of classroom projects at CCNY, including the MPA program (AccuroLab & Civic Monitor), an Architectural Lighting course (Team UV), and a CEN-granted class that combines computer science, entrepreneurship, and branding (AlgoRythm & DTD Hero). 

The 2021 cohort will work with us entirely online, and we’ve adapted our program for a virtual setting. We’re excited for the flexibility remote learning affords our students! In addition to our weekly Startup Bootcamp courses, mentor hours, and pitch practices, students will participate in optional skill boosting workshops and connect with founders at virtual speaker series & mixers. Many of these additional events will be open to the public, allowing for more students at CCNY, and entrepreneurs in the local community, to take advantage of our resources. 

The full calendar of events will be updated towards the end of December, and you will be able to find it on our Virtual Welcome Center page of our website.

For now, keep Demo Day & Final Pitch on your calendars, and follow us on social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn) for updates @zahncenternyc 

Additionally, if you are interested in mentoring the teams listed above, fill out our form here.

We were in the middle of our annual competition & Startup Bootcamp when we went virtual in March. Our resilient students, facilitators, and mentors transitioned with ease, but the remote customer interview process & product development proved more tricky. We decided to extend the students' experience into the summer, and we’re excited to report that the online experience was largely positive! This summer we piloted a new program, “Summer Incubator 2.0,” and revamped our high school program, Bossgirls, for an online experience. Read more about the two below.

Summer Incubator 2.0 & BNY Mellon's Business Plan Competition

We called the extension of the competition "Summer Incubator 2.0," and it was designed for startups to explore and develop their businesses with a focus on MVP development. It ran entirely online with a combination of pre-recorded workshops, check-in meetings, and live virtual pitch practices. Participants built their MVPs while simultaneously learning the skills needed to establish the foundation of their businesses.

As part of the Summer Incubator 2.0, startups worked with BNY Mellon mentors to write business plans. At the end of the summer, they pitched to judges at the BNY Mellon Business Plan Competition. Foodini took home the first place prize of $5,000, and Dype placed second with a $2,500 prize.

Standard Chartered's Bossgirls Program

Bossgirls is our entrepreneurship program for high school girls. Sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, it normally takes place over the summer on CCNY's campus. This summer, we offered it virtually and revamped the syllabus to include new topics. Twenty bossgirls from the NYC area spent the summer focusing on various problems and discovering innovative solutions. They researched their market, compared competitors, learned how to price their solutions & prototype them, and created a brand around their ideas. At the end of the program, they pitched their ideas to a virtual audience. Their ideas included an Etsy-like platform for eco-friendly products, an online support community for young girls experiencing sexual harassment, an app that helps you make healthy food decisions to improve your mood, an inclusive debate program for middle school students, and an after school program that brings art and music to the forefront. Each team also received Standard Chartered mentors.

We're thrilled that even in a virtual setting, our bossgirls dove into the material and got out of their comfort zones, learning new things and developing confidence. Since it was such a hit, this Fall we’re piloting Bossgirls “After School,” a virtual extension of the Bossgirls experience including professional development workshops, networking events, and speaker spotlights featuring some amazing founders. Bossgirls from the past four years will connect with each other, learn new skills, and hear from women entrepreneurs. The program is meant to continue their immersion into entrepreneurship, build their network, and further develop skills that will help them no matter the career path.

As many of you may remember, we postponed our annual Demo Day & Final Pitch (which normally happen in May) to give our students more time to develop their ideas in the midst of uncertainty and change surrounding the pandemic. Last week, many of you voted for your favorite startups during a virtual Demo Day the Pre app, and also attended our virtual Final Pitch where you heard from startups competing in our four categories for top prizes. In all, CCNY startups collected close to $150,000 in prizes, which they'll use to further develop their businesses. We hope to share more news about these resilient teams in the future, but for now, here are the results of the 2020 Demo Day & Final Pitch:

the Zahn Social Impact Prize:

The 1st place prize of $25,000 was awarded to Blue Generation, an environmental fitness app. Blue Generation also took home the Audience Choice Award for this category, decided at Demo Day.

The 2nd place prize of $5,000 was awarded to Earthly Beings, a team developing skin care products to those with eczema.

the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize:

The 1st place prize of $25,000 was awarded to The Bella Zoia Project, a marketing and promotion tool for nonprofits.

The 2nd place prize of $5,000 went to Parkbreezy, a community-based parking app geared towards drivers who are English language learners. Parkbreezy also took home the Audience Choice Award.

Honorable mention in this category was our third team, Healistic, youth-focused mental health nonprofit for the South Asian community.

the Zahn Technology Prize:

The 1st place prize of $25,000 went to Dype, an app that authenticates streetwear.

The $5,000 2nd place prize went to Foodini, an app that serves as a database for all foods to help you make “fearless food decisions.” Foodini also won the Audience Choice Award.

the Kaylie Prize for Hardware Devices:

The $50,000 1st place prize was awarded to Trias, a portable pre-diagnostic tool for high cholesterol. They also won the Audience Choice Award.

IASSER, a product aiming to reduce the amount of car accidents, won the $5,000 2nd place prize in this category.

We couldn't have had a successful Final Pitch without the help of our judging panel, including:

Zahn Social Impact Track Judges

Esmeralda Herrera, Director of Programs and Community Relations, Communitas America

Andrew Rich, Dean, Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at The City College of New York

Peter Zahn, CEO, Moxie Foundation

Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Track Judges

Matthew Washington, Deputy Borough President, Manhattan Borough Presidents Office

Jason Wong, Treasurer and VP-IR, Tiffany & Co

Jarlyne Batista Monzon, Community Manager, Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Iona College

Zahn Tech Track Judges

Marc Escapa, Cofounder, Noken

Desiree Frieson, Assistant Director, NYDesigns

Weeks Mensah, Cofounder & CEO at Sourcediv, Inc.

Kaylie Hardware Track Judges

Haytham Elhawary, Cofounder, Kinetic

Faith Jaskowiak, Director of Marketing & Partnerships, CUNY Startups

Brian Wilson, CEO, Duro UAS

And of course, we'd like to say a big thank you to our major sponsors, the Kaylie family, Standard Chartered Bank, and The Moxie Foundation for their donations which ensure CCNY student entrepreneurs are able to advance their innovations and pursue their dreams.

To our Zahn community: we hope that all of you and your loved ones are safe and healthy during this trying time. Here at the Zahn Center, we have been lucky enough to continue our programming online. The 2020 Cohort was about halfway through their competition when CCNY went into a distance learning model, and theyve continued to meet with staff, mentors, and complete weekly bootcamp workshops. Although in a different manner, weve managed to provide the same educational content. However, our MakerLab has been closed since mid-March. Students, especially those working on hardware devices, have not had access to prototyping equipment since then. In light of this, we have decided its in the best interest of our students that we postpone Demo Day & Final Pitch. We will now hold those events–complete with giveaways of our $150K grand prizes–in the early Fall. In the meantime, we held an internal “Virtual Pitch Off” for our teams to compete for smaller cash prizes. The pitch off took place last Thursday, and we're pleased to announce the winners:

Winners of the Zahn Social Impact Prize:

The $3,000 first place prize went to Earthly Beings, skincare that brings physical and emotional relief to those with minor to severe skin conditions. The $1,000 second place prize went to Blue G, a startup that offers strategies to reduce ocean debris that allows communities and globally conscious customers to combat the global plastic crisis.

Winners of the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize:

The $3,000 first place prize went to The Bella Zoia Project, which offers impact advertising for small to mid size nonprofit organizations. The $1,000 second place prize went to Parkbreezy, a community-based parking app.

Winner of the Zahn Technology Prize:

The $3,000 first place prize went to Dype, a peer-to-peer streetwear marketplace where buyers can get crowdsourced authentication. The $1,000 second place prize went to Staff to Go, an app that saves restaurateurs time and money by connecting them with staff using a simplistic matchmaking process.

Winner of the Kaylie Hardware Prize:

The $3,000 first place prize went to Trias, a pre-diagnostic tool for those with high cholesterol. The $1,000 second place prize went to IASSER, a device that makes the roads safer by combining cutting edge biosensor technology with the automobile industry.

These startups, along with others, will continue to work on their MVPs and business plans throughout the summer. We are planning more virtual programming for the summer–an Incubator 2.0 if you will–to keep our teams on track for a Fall Demo Day. Stay tuned for more information about how you can get involved.

 Thank you again for your continued support of our students and our programming, and stay tuned for more information about the Summer & Fall.

This weeks team highlight is Green Capsule, an innovative and eco-friendly heating and cooling system designed by a team of architects. Green Capsule is one of the startup teams competing for the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC $25,000 grand prize sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank as part of their Futuremakers initiative. I was able to meet virtually with Ina Dajci, who isGreen Capsules Marketing Specialist. She shared with me her teams concept, what they hope to gain from the Zahn Center, and their hopes for Green Capsules future. The team includes CCNY Spitzer School of Architecture graduate students Ina Dajci, Max Isakov, Melek Kilinc, and architect Rei Celo. Theyre joined by CCNY professor Dr. Ahu Aydogan, who serves as their advisor. 

The following team highlight blog is written by Zahn apprentice Lissette Lucero.

When explaining the startups concept, Ina stated We are designing a vertical system for green walls that will be augmented in very dense urban fabrics. We would be cultivating medicinal cannabis within these green walls. 

Lissette: Oh thats something new to New York City. Why do you think there is a need for this here?

Ina: We are architects. We are always discussing the environment and all of the environmental issues that we face especially in the building industry. 40% of the energy consumption in the United States comes from the building industry. We are trying to propose an idea that would merge farming with urban fabric by having agricultural products within the city. That was one of the main reasons we wanted to do this. There is a shrinkage in farmland in the United States. We are losing 3 acres per minute because of the building industry. We are proposing the idea of having green spaces integrated into existing cities or any new building construction. We thought by growing medicinal cannabis in these green spaces, there would be great profit and it would be accessible to pharmaceutical companies that are treating the THC culture as a great resource for medicinal purposes. We checked the growth rate market of this industry and it is super high. You can see it as an investment.

Lissette: Yeah I completed a market research project last semester on the cannabis market, and there is a major growth rate now that it is becoming legal in more states.

Ina: Yeah thats why we are excited, we feel it can be very profitable.

Lissette: So Green Capsule, why did you choose that as your startup's name?

Ina: Greenery is what we are missing in our dense environments and what we are constructing and building every day. Look at the green space in New York City for example. Its completely unfairly spread. We will have one big park but then we don't have enough for the rest of the neighborhood. This thing of not having enough greenery for all of the buildings everywhere gave us the green part. Capsule comes from the design of the modular system that we've created. Since this plan has a lot of requirements and needs a very controlled environment to be grown and stay healthy. We came up with this capsule which is a controlled environment for the plant. It would not just be having green walls with cannabis all over the city, but they would be in this capsule which is the controlled environment. The plant can grow until a certain state, and then it would be taken away with a capsule, sent to farmers, and the further steps will be proceeded.

Lissette: What is the biggest value that you would like your consumer to gain from Green Capsule?

Ina: The gain from this product comes from an environmental aspect. This system works as a shading device for buildings. This means it lowers the energy consumption of the buildings. In this way we are fighting the climate crisis. We also have a social aspect. It will create new jobs and new opportunities where the system will be implemented. There is also immense revenue for the people who will use this product. You buy the system once, but every four months you will continue to harvest, and as we know the market in this field is crazy, so there will be economical benefits also.

Lissette: How did you feel that Green Capsule can benefit from the Zahn Startup Competition? What sparked your interest in their program the most?

Ina: We've always known and heard about the Zahn Center from previous architecture students that had participated in the competition. Our mentor gave us the biggest push for us to join. She told us that the Zahn Center is serious and helpful, and they can give life to our project. This is what we do in school, we all design and come up with innovative stuff, it's very known in architecture.

Lissette: Awesome, what would you say is your biggest takeaway from what youve learned with us?

Ina: Zahn is really great for us. Initially, we didnt know the Zahn Center worked the way that it does. We thought this was more about advancing our design, when actually we didn't need that. Zahn helps us create and advance as a company–how to get out there in the market. This is very useful for us since none of us had much experience in this field. We are understanding more of structure and how to go from phase to phase. The bootcamp sessions are also very successful. We do appreciate the facilitators and the ideas they give us.

Lissette: If explaining the Zahn Startup Competition to a prospective participant, how will you describe it?

Ina: I would say definitely give it a try. What we learned at the Zahn Center, we did not learn in regular classes. As designers, we don't focus too much on subjects such as marketing. We focused more on product development and prototype building. I think the Zahn Center is a really great opportunity that designers shouldnt miss. You're learning to sell your skills, and if you don't know this then your ideas can get wasted.

Lissette: By the end of the competition, where do you see Green Capsule?

Ina: I think that the most important thing is we were brought closer together by this competition. We all believe in this project. By doing our assignments and having our regular meetings, we strongly believe this idea and want to continue this company. This is the greatest gift weve received from Zahn. It gave us structure and we know how to further proceed with our idea.

Ina and I chatted more about the subject of marketing, as I shared with her my learnings and offered any advice that I can. At the Zahn Center, were excited to see Green Capsule grow. If youd like to learn more about the Green Capsule, you can reach them at Greencapsule@zahncenternyc.com .

As the world continues dealing with a public health crisis, we believe it is important to maintain a sense of normalcy for the students in our program. Weve continued all instruction online, including our weekly lean startup bootcamp, mentor hours, and workshops, and so far weve found that our students are engaging with our content more than ever. Were still working towards the goal of showing off their progress at a virtual Pitch Off in early May. Demo Day will be postponed until the early Fall. We had previously planned to highlight our student startups one by one, and have decided to still do so. They deserve to be able to share with you all of their hard work, and we could use a little good news as of lately.

The following blog is written by Zahn apprentice Lissette Lucero.

I had the opportunity to meet with Denny Liang, one of the founding members of Dype.. Dype is a startup competing for the $25,000 Zahn Technology Prize  sponsored by The Moxie Foundation. Their team members include Taehun Lim, Kartikeya Sharma, and Denny Liang. Theyre on a mission to democratize streetwear authentication and make sure those who buy and sell streetwear can do it safely.

Denny started by letting me watch an introduction video. I asked Denny to further explain his concept, through words. 

Denny Liang: Dype is a peer to peer platform that allows individuals to  buy and sell streetwear anywhere in the United States safely. If someone wants to sell their sneakers, theyll post quality pics from multiple angles. Their listing will go through up to 20 experts who will review it–they will be experts that are hand chosen. Its an online trusted marketplace with zero fees, quicker payments, and fair disputes. If you're a seller, and you want to get your items verified, it can get expensive and lengthy. On the Dype app, we will use crowdsourcing authentication with images. You will post the item at multiple angles. The experts will tell you whether the item is real or not. There are already online communities doing this. We want to funnel the members of those communities onto our platform. Our slogan is Whos hyped to join Dype?

LL: How would you know if these members are accredited to know whether these items are real or fake?

DL: We will use a filtering out process. We are currently planning on creating a reputation system, something like karma points… similar to that except wed have to design metrics to quantify one's expertise.

LL: Dype is centered around streetwear. Why?

DL: The whole idea is a secondary market place, but we started off with streetwear since it is something we are all interested in. We all buy and sell streetwear ourselves, and we wanted to create something that would better serve our community.

LL:  What inspired the name Dype?

DL: What do you think of when you hear Dype?

LL: The name sounds interesting and intriguing, but I don't think of anything in particular.

DL: Thats good. We wanted it to be different. We first thought of it by thinking of the word HYPE. A hypebeast is someone who is into streetwear like sneakers, hoodies, clothing, etc. From this we got decentralized hype and thats where the D came from. Were not centralized, theres no third party, its all up to the users themselves..

LL: Nice, you should make some kind of campaign where you explain the name.

DL: That would be cool.

LL: Whats the biggest value that you want your consumer to gain from the Dype app?

DL: Our value proposition is that we can authenticate items transparently, and we can do so without the need of a third party. The fact that the platform is created around what people are already doing, people are legit checking the validity of these items for free€¦ so why not create a platform where they can do it and get paid?

LL: How did you learn about the Zahn Startup Competition and what sparked your interest the most?

DL: I found out about Zahn my first semester here, and I wanted to join as a freshman. I previously used to watch a lot of videos about entrepreneurship, it was something I was always interested in. One day at City College I happened to be passing by during Demo Day. There were people outside pitching their ideas and showing off their projects.. I thought, That's what I want to do!

LL: What so far is your biggest takeaway from the Zahn Startup Competition?

DL: A community of diverse perspectives. Everyone sees different things from a different angle. Having that community where we all collaborate on shaping our ideas more, that's probably the biggest takeaway.

LL: What are some things you hope to gain from the Zahn Center by the end of this competition?

DL: First things first the 25K! Its not going to end there. Were going to work on it throughout the entire summer. We're going to be turning on the gears in marketing to get the word out.

LL: What are some challenges you face as a team?

DL:  Punctuality, and split accountability. If two people decide to slack off then that means the majority slacks off. If the majority decides to work then, you know. Holding each other accountable has been important in this.

LL: When explaining the Zahn Startup Competition to a prospective student, how would you explain it?

DL:  I would recommend The Zahn Startup Competition if you want to start a business and you don't have the guidance, but you're willing to put in the time. If you want to join a team and get some experience, but still be financially free. Entrepreneurship is trendy, so you can start your own venture without the risks.

At the Zahn Center, were excited to see this team take off, and cant wait to see where they are on Demo Day. If youd like to learn more about Dype, you can reach them at Dype@zahncenternyc.com . You can also check out their website at www.dype.market.

What is Mechanical/Advanced Manufacturing? 

The Zahn Innovation Centers Mechanical Advanced Manufacturing (AM) Pod is part of our apprenticeship program. The pod aims to help students learn how to take a concept to plan, design, and manufacture that idea into a working product. The main goal is to create the stages of a manufacturing system that produces a product in the most time-efficient and cost-effective way. Essentially everything we use in our daily lives is man-made, or manufactured. Currently, many manufacturing engineers work in the automation, aerospace, and the computer industry, among others. However, this skill is also implemented within the food processing, clothing, toy, and film industries.

The Mechanical Manufacturing Leader, Anis Halani

Our Mechanical/AM pod is led by Anis Halani, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering here at CCNY. As the pods assistant engineer, he manages and supervises all apprentices during the stages of product development. He also holds the responsibility of ensuring that apprentices grow as students and professionals by assisting them in developing essential skills such as research and time management. Anis was first attracted to join the Apprenticeship Program after hearing about it through a friend who was already an apprentice at Zahn. Now, Anis believes this program has helped him grow immensely both academically and professionally. He states that the Apprenticeship Program has given him, a platform where [he] can take what [he] learned [in class] and use it to create real-life objects that serve a purpose. Anis has also hosted and attended many workshops such as public speaking, resume building, and more, and has also learned from others within the program. Above all, Anis emphasizes that, through the Apprenticeship Program, he learned to Dream, Design and Develop, and that no challenge is impossible. 

Thoughts from Simeon, a freshman apprentice 

The mechanical manufacturing pod is made up of many proactive students whove joined to get a head start on their professional careers. One is Simeon, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering. A typical day in the program for Simeon includes building products using Solidworks and CAD software, and producing them through 3D printing and laser cutting. Simeons most valuable takeaway from the program is that although hes just a freshman, hes getting a head start on engineering classes hes yet to take later in his academics. Hes also made a lot of valuable connections within the program which has led to lifelong friends.

When asked what advice he had for prospective student apprentices, he advised everyone, especially freshmen like him to, go for it since it provides you with good experience at an early stage.

Future Projects 

Currently, the Mechanical/AM Pod is manufacturing a life-size robot replica of R2D2 from Star Wars, which will mimic all of his mechanical functions from the films. Everyday, the apprentices collaborate to design, print, and cut out the robots pieces. As pod leader, Anis stated that he values other apprentices the most since they offer, innovative ideas that if [he] would not have thought of if he were working by [himself]. If youre interested in joining the mechanical/AM pod, Anis advises, go outside of your comfort zone [because] thats when you will be challenged.

Interested in growing your skills in mechanical and advanced manufacturing or other fields including marketing, electrical engineering, and CAD? Consider joining the Zahn Apprenticeship Program! Applications are now open, and you can apply here: zahncenternyc.com/apprenticeship

The Electrical Engineering (EE) team is one of the 3 engineering pods here at the Zahn Center. EE is a subfield of engineering that works with electricity. Electrical engineers can work on a variety of things from circuit components, to different electrical control systems, to tiny microchips. Here at the Zahn Center, the electrical engineering pod focuses on both personal and client projects that involve electrical work. For example, theyre currently working on a life-sized replica of an R2D2 robot for a client that can be controlled through the voice controlled assistant Alexa, bluetooth, and remote control. 

As a long running member of the Zahn Center team, Salam Elhabi, assistant engineer, is no stranger to daily life at Zahn. Shes been a part of the team since June of 2017. During her senior year at CCNY, she joined Zahn Center as an apprentice and quickly moved her way up to the position of senior apprentice. After graduation she took a small break and then came back to CCNY for a second degree, and now supports the Zahn Center as an assistant engineer.  In her downtime she also enjoys making music, playing the trumpet, and being as involved as possible in campus affairs.

Zahn: What do you consider your specific responsibilities?

Salam: Im the assistant electrical engineer, but my apprentices do most of the hands on work. I help them mitigate problems, supervise when I need to, and if theres a problem, I give them hints to the solution. I feel like a doctor sometimes because they come to me with problems, and we have to figure out how to solve them.

Zahn: What does a typical day look like for your pod?

Salam: Were split into different groups, depending on the day Id oversee different tasks. Well spend a typical day tweaking issues and trying to google solutions to problems well have with projects. Well also brainstorm together to try to come up with solutions. For example, for our current R2D2 project. we wanted to install a personal assistant in-house. We had a lot of trouble using google assistant. As much as we tried to tweak some of the issues, we had to make the decision to switch to Alexa. 

Zahn: What about your biggest accomplishment?

Salam: One of our favorite projects was when a client wanted a detachable light attachment for running shoes. The client wanted it to be detachable so that itd fit into almost all types of shoes. The product also had to be waterproof, and easily seen in the dark. It took us two semesters to complete it, but it was the first time ever that the designs were totally student made. Usually well show a client mockups and theyll choose a design. This time they completely designed it themselves and made it themselves. It was the best experience seeing how far theyve come.

In the future€¦

The Electrical Pod will take on more personal projects for clients and startups. They will also continue  to use their innovation skills to complete more in-house projects. This will allow things to run smoother for both the Makerlab and Zahn Center. For its apprentices, the goal is to work on certification programs, licenses, and sponsorships that will give them a leg up in the professional engineering world. 

Want to become an apprentice? Apply for the Spring 2020 Apprenticeship program and gain experience and skills in the electrical, manufacturing, CAD, or marketing pods.Applications are now open, and you can apply here: zahncenternyc.com/apprenticeship

Looking to mentor our newest cohort? Find the form here.

The end of the year means were welcoming new startup ideas for our 2020 cohort! Over the past few weeks, weve worked with expert judges–from investors to successful entrepreneurs, educators to executives–to help evaluate our entries. We've selected 28 CCNY student-led projects (our biggest cohort yet!) who will compete for the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize, the Kaylie Hardware Prize, and the Zahn Social Impact & Zahn Technology Prizes. Although the competition will officially kick off next semester with our bootcamp, you can meet the teams now.

Disclaimer: You'll notice the following descriptions are short & sweet. This is intentional. First, we need to remind our readers that these ideas are “work-in-progress” ideas, and they may develop & change. Second, the short descriptions protect the intellectual property of our students (which is very important to us). And third, our students join our program for a variety of reasons, and some may choose not to pursue their idea as a company when they complete the program.

Competing for the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize

• The Bella Zoia Project: lasting engagement and creative promotion for non-profits
• Green Capsule: a sustainable way to reduce heating and cooling costs for buildings
• Healistic: a preventative care tool
• ParkBreezy: a community-based parking app

Competing for the Kaylie Hardware Prize

• Ermos: introducing and optimizing scalable waste-to-energy systems
• E-Shoes: a device that recycles energy
• IASSER: a product aiming to reduce the amount of car accidents
• Trias: a portable pre-diagnostic tool

Competing for the Zahn Social Impact Prize

• Blue G: upcycles plastic waste into art and other materials
• Earthly Beings: developing personalized skincare products
• GuineaClean: a waste management solution for markets in Guinea
• Recycle for All: a B-Corp dedicated to community-based recycling and remanufacturing

Competing for the Zahn Technology Prize:

• BERA: an app that helps individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder find jobs
• Dype: is “Ebay on blockchain technology”  with a focus on street wear
• Foodini: an app that serves as a database for all foods, highlighting cultural dishes
• Staff to Go: a staffing app for the restaurant industry

Once again, we're excited to see where these teams land. If you're a student who'd like to join one of these teams, please visit our “Join A Startup” form here. If you're interested in mentoring, please visit our Mentorship Page.

As part of our Apprentice Program Blog series, the below is written by Marketing Pod Apprentice & CCNY student Emily Santana.

What Is CAD?

The Zahn Innovation Centers CAD Pod is part of our apprenticeship program which aims to help transform students ideas into a 3D reality. CAD is short for Computer Aided Design, which is the process of using computer software to aid in the creation of a product. CAD software enables designers to create, visualize, manipulate, and test objects before theyre set into real-world conditions. For example, it is often used within automotive, shipbuilding, aerospace, architecture, and prosthetic industries. Many dont know this, but CAD also extends into the artistic realm to create computer animation and special effects makeup within television and movies. One familiar production that uses CAD is Coraline, a 2009 film created by Laika Studios. The stop motion characters were sketched out and transformed into 3D models with CAD manufacturing.

The CAD Pod Leader, Baruch Shadrouz

Our CAD pod is led by Baruch Shadrouz, a senior majoring in computer engineering here at CCNY. As the pods assistant engineer, he manages the day to day tasks of all his apprentices. Baruch was attracted to join the apprenticeship program because of all the skills [he] learns [because] it opens up many doors for future opportunities whether that is landing a great job or even starting your own company. With now almost 2 years in the Apprenticeship Program, he believes the program has helped him not only hone his engineering skills, but develop project management skills: a vital skill that can only be achieved by actually doing it in the real world.

Thoughts from the CAD apprentices

The CAD pod is made up of a group of student apprentices, all of whom value the programs ability to help them apply what theyve learned in class to real world situations. One is Ann Mary, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering. She joined the Apprenticeship Program after learning about us through email. A typical day in the program for Ann Mary includes designing products using CAD software and printing them out on our 3D printers. She believes the Apprenticeship Program gave [her] an exposure to the real world engineering field. Further, her lessons have reached beyond technical skills because shes also learning how to collaborate with others when completing a project.

Another CAD apprentice is Sumit, a sophomore who decided to change his major to computer engineering after working on a project over the summer at Zahn. He too believes the pod has helped him work to develop skills beyond the world of CAD. For example, Baruch encourages apprentices to participate in interdisciplinary projects since nothing in the industry is pure CAD, EE, or AM, there are aspects of them all. Professionally, the Apprenticeship Program has helped Sumit develop management experience which has made him more comfortable planning projects and developing [himself] as a leader in [his] team. While only being a sophomore in college, his exposure to a variety of fields and project management skills will be one of [the] key strengths in [his] resume.  

What the Cad Pod Is up to Now

Currently, the CAD pod is working on a very exciting product that will potentially be on the market! They are also using CNC machining, creating an automation project for monitoring and watering plants, and are in the works of creating an automated robot project. When asked what advice he has for current apprentices and those who may be interested in joining the pod in the future, Baruch emphasized being a visionary. He believes it will help you see things that other people miss, change your belief system about what can and cannot be done, and most importantly, help you solve problems that others think cant be solved. Further, being a visionary creates passion in everything you do, and even when you lose it, you will find a new path to take to get that passion back.

Interested in growing your skills in CAD manufacturing or other fields including marketing, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering? Consider joining the Zahn Apprenticeship Program! Applications are now open & you can apply here.

This year, the Zahn Center expanded their career building apprenticeship program to include a new marketing and communications team. The pod aims to spread awareness about the Zahn Center and create a community of startups and innovative students within CCNY. Joining the marketing pod this year was a way for me to expand my marketing and communication skills, and explore fun and creative ways to learn new things. When I read the email about the pod application, I immediately knew that it was something I had to pursue. 

Meeting our pod members for the first time was a great experience. Our pod consists of marketing assistants Chis Arsenault and Leanna Pham, whose roles include overseeing the rest of the apprentices, complete outside branding, social media, PR work and email marketing. The pod also includes the apprentices Emily, Linda, Jennifer, and me. Our roles range from website design to email and communications marketing.  During a typical day, an apprentice will work on individual projects as well as marketing and communication work for the entire pod. For a typical Zahn Center workshop, the marketing pod is in charge of creating graphics to promote the event, creating Eventbrites, creating registration links, completing social media audits and finally, updating the website with pictures from events. 

Before working as marketing assistants, Chris and Leanna were both marketing interns for the Zahn Center over the summer. Leanna was also working as a brand ambassador for social media, and Chris was a music producer and advertised through branding his music.

For the future, Anna Hutcheson, Program Manager at the Zahn Innovation Center, notes that the pod will eventually take on outside clients and fulfill marketing and social media work for other featured startups. During the summer, apprentices will also have the opportunity for paid summer internships within partnered companies. Once skill sets are built, the goal is to work with established outside companies outside of featured startups. The pod was created as a response to helping featured startups with marketing assistance and PR work in-house. This way, startups can benefit from marketing, and at the same time, create a learning experience for marketing students at CCNY. The goal is that future pod members will be able to reach outside companies and develop marketing and communication work for these organizations. 

So far, one of our biggest accomplishments is being able to create a foundation for future marketing pods and continuing to build on it as the apprenticeship program grows. The hope for future pod members is that theyll be able to branch off continuing to spread awareness for the Zahn Innovation Center. Whats planned for the future? Well  be working on takeover Tuesdays – a fun and interactive way to give visual insight to students using Instagram stories. Then, pod blogs – a closer look into our apprenticeship pods and how they represent the Zahn Innovation Center. 

Want to become the next apprentice of a Zahn Innovation Center pod? Apply for the Spring 2020 Apprenticeship program and gain experience and skills in the electrical, manufacturing, CAD, or marketing pods. Applications open December 2, 2019, so stay in touch with us at @ZahnCenterNYC or join our newsletter.

Youll get a lot of nos, but you have to overcome them to realize your dreams. These were some of Judaline Cassidys words before she led our students in a warrior cry at the culmination of Communitas Americas Impact Career Program. By now youve heard about the program that trains students for careers in the social impact realm, and know that weve paired it with our Apprenticeship Program, a career-readiness program out of our MakerLab that allows CCNY students the opportunity to develop their skills by working on projects within our MakerLab. This summer, some of our apprentices took what theyve learned at the Zahn Center and worked as interns at NYC-based social enterprises, realizing that no dreams are realized without some hard work. With the help of these organizations, students were able to build the foundations of a career in the social impact sector.

So how did it go? Nine students were placed in various social ventures in the NYC area for 10 weeks this summer, and all agreed they feel more confident in their skills thanks to this program. They told us all about their experiences at the finale event, kicked off by Tools&Tiaras founder (and the first woman to be accepted to the Plumbers Local Union 371 in Staten Island), Judaline Cassidy.  

Joshua Chang worked at Farmshelf as their Engineering Field Technician Intern, and admittedly could not have imagined how much soldering hed do this summer (with a smile, he said he had an amazing summer). Hes still attending CCNY as a Junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Computer Science. He will possibly work part time at Farmshelf in the Fall semester. Joshua is also considering enrollment in a CCNY coding program. 

Christopher Hernandez worked at Zahn Center as their Senior Advanced Manufacturing Intern. He is attending CCNY in the Fall Semester as a Senior majoring in Economics and working a part time job. Also, he will be returning to the Apprenticeship Program as a Senior Apprentice. He loves the Apprenticeship Program because he not only develops his engineering skills, but is supported in career development too (those soft skills are important too, he insists).

Phyo Zaw Hein worked at Design and Disorder as their Software Engineering Intern. He plans to focus on his studies for the fall as a Junior majoring in Computer Science, and to continue working with Design and Disorder. He loved working for a young startup and appreciated the openness of his boss Elmi, who trusted him with many projects.

Ethan Toby Wong worked at Unique Electric Solutions as their Mechanical Engineering Intern. He will continue working for UES for the rest of the summer and attend CCNY in the fall semester as a Junior in the Macaulay Honors College majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He may work with UES in the future. He loved the program, saying, I am incredibly grateful for Zahn and the sponsor for putting this all together. I would have never gotten this experience without this program, and my career will definitely be uplifted from this internship. 

Alessandro Belaj  interned at Unique Electric Solutions as their Mechanical Engineering Intern. He will continue working for UES for the rest of the summer and attend CCNY in the fall semester as a Junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering. 

Francis Gold Sy interned at DogSpot as their Electrical Engineering Intern. He has been offered to stay until the end of the summer and continue on in the Fall semester. He will be attending CCNY in the fall semester as a Sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Computer Science. Francis will be rejoining the Zahn Center Apprentice Program to gain more hands-on experience. He will also be partaking in a fellowship – the S. Jay Levy Fellowship – where he will hone his interview skills and take personal development courses. Next summer, Francis will be interning or conducting research on the behalf of the fellowship. I loved how the workshops not only addressed hard skills (lathing, PCB design) but also soft skills (public speaking, business etiquette). It's great to have that balance and being able to improve in all aspects, he said.

Sumit Das interned at Zahn Center as their Senior CAD and 3D Design Intern. He will be attending CCNY in the fall semester as a sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering and be part of the Zahn Center Apprenticeship Program.

Ngoc-Thao Ly interned at Hoplite Power as their Mechanical Engineering Intern, and learned how to assemble a ton! She will be attending CCNY in the fall semester as a Senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering and will be part of the Zahn Center Apprentice Program, and wants to explore as many opportunities as possible to keep herself well-rounded.

Talha Kaleem interned at Pvilion as their Engineering Intern. He will continue to work with Pvilion until the end of the summer. He will be attending CCNY in the fall semester as a Senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering and will be part of the Zahn Center Apprenticeship Program.

It was an exciting event, and what we found most interesting was that the majority of students thought theyd be more likely to seek out opportunities at social enterprises after participating in this program, noting that theyre more aware of the types of jobs that not only align with their career goals, but aim to make the world a better place. It seems like that changemaker mentality is really catching on here at CCNY!

Communitas America, Inc seeks to support programs that encourage under-resourced communities to become changemakers. With the support of Communitas Inc., the Zahn Innovation Center is able to offer students these incredible opportunities as part of the Impact Career program, a special initiative designed to help students pursue careers within the social sector. Thanks to Communitas Inc.s support City College students will further their education, receiving on-the-job training and mentorship. This partnership helps both organizations fulfill the mission to create future change-makers capable of making a real, deep and positive influence in their communities and beyond.

Many of you are aware that the Zahn Centers mission is to inspire the entrepreneurial mindset in students at The City College of New York, but many dont know about our program that extends outside of campus. Sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, the #Bossgirls Bootcamp at the Zahn Innovation Center aims to make the future of entrepreneurship more equal. 

In 2017, only 17% of startups had female founders and 2% of venture capital went to female founders. Likewise, the tech field is still male-dominated (although some companies are bridging the gap). Standard Chartered Bank & the Zahn Innovation Center are trying to change that by creating a pipeline of young women who not only embody the entrepreneurial mindset, but own the fact that they can create change in the world through their business initiatives. In that regard, Standard Chartered created the Womens Technology Incubator at CCNY and the company supports one of our competition tracks–Women+Tech4NYC. Soon though, we found that we needed to start sooner–the students we were reaching sometimes didnt see themselves as founders. We were doing a lot to prove to them that they should be here…so we thought, why not start a little younger?

Thats how the #Bossgirls Bootcamp began. Now, the #Bossgirls Bootcamp is a summer entrepreneurship program for high school girls serving students across the five boroughs from a variety of different schools. Its designed to introduce high school girls to tech entrepreneurship and the startup life. Students learn the ins & outs of running a business while working on their own startup idea, and by the end of the program, theyll pitch their ideas for prizes (like in a mini-shark tank). From the start, students learn to discover the problems others around them face, and they brainstorm solutions to these problems. They research areas that interest them, and then head out into the community to learn how to create products and services their customers will actually use! All along the way they engage in workshops around customer research, marketing, financials, and product development. Expert mentors (from Standard Chartered) work with them to develop their business plans. 

This years mentors are particularly impressed because the students are leaning in faster than ever before. The current cohort is focused on subjects they care about. One team aims to make your commute safer, and encourages busy, young New Yorkers to make new friends along the way. Another wants to make it easier for those with food allergies or intolerances to eat out at restaurants (and for busy restaurant owners & workers to be better informed about how to cater to customers with severe allergies). A third team, inspired by their own many cultures, aims to share natural hair and skin care ingredients through subscription boxes. The final team, fueled by their love of food and travel, is introducing the average foodie to traditional cultural cuisines with an educational and immersive eating experience.

Not only are these students coached by mentors, but theyre taught by Jana La Sorte, an adjunct professor at Northeastern University and founder/creative director at Ambassadora. La Sorte has over 25 years of experience in arts management, strategic issues consulting, marketing, and communications. Selected for the inaugural National Arts Strategies Chief Executive fellows program, La Sorte re-imagines what arts and social impact organizations can be, can do and how they can contribute to communities. She advises clients on strategic planning, organizational management, fundraising, program initiatives, marketing and communications. La Sorte is joined by current CCNY student Shaimaa Habib, who is the programs TA. As a former Bossgirl herself, Habib brings unique perspectives and guidance to the students. Shes currently studying business management.

 
If youd like to learn more about the program and see our students pitch, please join us at their finale on August 15th. Details & RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-bossgirls-bootcamp-finale-sponsored-by-standard-chartered-tickets-65570255399

Students at City College have an opportunity to create social impact through many activities on campus, but were excited to announce that well continue our partnership with Communitas America to train students for careers in the social impact realm. This year, weve paired it with our Apprenticeship Program, a career-readiness program out of our MakerLab that allows CCNY students the opportunity to develop their skills by working on projects within our MakerLab. We like to think of it as an apprenticeship that builds on what students learn in the classroom to prepare them for industry careers. This summer, some of our apprentices will take what theyve learned at the Zahn Center and work as interns at NYC-based social enterprises. Through this summer program, our students will not only gain invaluable career experience by working at social impact organizations and social enterprises in the NYC area, but theyll understand the foundations of building a career in the social impact sector through a series of skill-building workshops.

Were excited to announce more details about the companies these CCNY students will support. Nine CCNY students were placed in various social ventures in the NYC area for 10 weeks (June 3rd – August 9th) this summer. Below is the list of the organizations.

• Design and Disorder: a multi-pronged technology for the deaf community and those with hearing loss, combining a stylish wearable with sensors in the home to help individuals identify & locate sounds. Not only will these individuals feel safer using this device (theyll be aware when a smoke detector goes off,  a door opens, a faucet is running, etc.), but it will allow them to establish more independence. Design and Disorder is a Zahn Center startup, and was founded by current CCNY students Heba Attia, Marvel Delva, and Elmi Jimenez. 

• DogSpot: is committed to ethical pet treatment and animal neglect prevention. DogSpot is a smart sidewalk sanctuary, providing your dog a safe and cozy home away from home while you briefly go somewhere they aren't allowed. The device is temperature controlled, auto-sanitizing, and has a veterinarian grade space with remote monitoring.

• Farmshelf: an early-stage high-growth startup that builds smart indoor farms. Their bookshelf-sized Farmshelfs provide leafy greens and herbs year-round to food halls, corporate cafeterias and restaurants, including those of acclaimed chefs José Andrés, Marcus Samuelsson, and Claus Meyer. Their team of engineers, designers, fabricators, technicians and plant scientists take on the challenges of creating agricultural technology innovations to feed our growing urban populations.

• Hoplite Power. With Hoplite Power, you can easily charge your smartphone on the go€”no wires or outlets required! Hoplite Powers main impact on clean energy downstream is the reduction of e-waste, which has a net impact on the cradle to grave (or cradle to cradle in some cases) footprint of Lithium Ion Batteries. As a networked sharing economy product, Hoplites power bank rentals are able to improve the utilization, reliability, quality control, and accountability of the power bank market. This not only reduces the environmental hazards of power bank disposal, but also has a net reduction in the landfill CO2 footprint.

• Pvilion: a solar product company that integrates solar cells into flexible materials, from backpacks and clothing to stadium roofs and building facades. Because their products provide more than just solar electricity, they often work with forward-thinking and environmentally-conscious clients who are trying to extend their sustainability initiatives into the realm of celebrated public spaces.

• Unique Electric Solutions: a provider of electric propulsion and power systems for commercial trucks, commercializing two products an all-electric drive system for Class 4 thru 7 trucks and buses. UES is focused on fleet conversions for operations in highly congested cities where there is a high sensitivity to airborne emissions and noise.

• Zahn Center. The Zahn Center inspires CCNY students to approach their education as changemakers, transforming classroom learning into real-world application. As a startup incubator located at the City College of New York (CCNY), it offers co-working space and an array of resources including: an annual competition, a startup bootcamp, mentorship and pro-bono services, networking opportunities, and rapid prototyping facilities.

Look out for more information about how these students are progressing soon! If youd like to see their final presentations, join us at their Finale on August 13th.

Details & registration can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/zahn-apprentice-impact-career-program-powe…

Communitas America, Inc seeks to support programs that encourage under-resourced communities to become changemakers. With the support of Communitas Inc., the Zahn Innovation Center is able to offer students these incredible opportunities as part of the Impact Career program, a special initiative designed to help students pursue careers within the social sector. Thanks to Communitas Inc.s support City College students will further their education, receiving on-the-job training and mentorship. This partnership helps both organizations fulfill the mission to create future change-makers capable of making a real, deep and positive influence in their communities and beyond. 

For many of our students, it doesn't stop at the Final Pitch. Today we're pleased to announce the ten startups that will participate in our Accelerator this summer. Check them out below:

Design & Disorder is a multi-pronged technology for the deaf community and those with hearing loss, combining a stylish wearable with sensors in the home to help individuals identify & locate sounds. Not only will these individuals feel safer (theyll hear a door opening, the water running, etc.), but it will allow individuals to establish more independence. One of the co-founders, Heba Attia (a Psychology major), has a personal experience with this that drives the team forward. Shes joined by Marvel Delva, an Architecture major, and Elmi Jimenez, an Electrical Engineering student, both equally determined to bring this idea to life.

The Coach is an interactive, automated boxing device that trains you & makes working out fun. The Coach team is dedicated to fitness and believes its the best preventive medicine. However, they know working out isnt always easy, and it certainly isnt always fun. Their goal is to bring an engaging boxing HIIT workout into the home to fit busy lifestyles, almost like a Peloton for boxing. The Coach is made up of Mechanical Engineering majors Okiermute Oyiborhoro and Mahutin Paul, Computer Engineering major Krongchai Praponpoj, Computer Science major Nicholas Weatherley, and graduate student Granville Parker. They won first place in the Kaylie Hardware Prize, worth $50,000, and they'll use the funds to make more devices.

Luxz is tackling another big problem in society€“the issue of sexual violence. This team is building an organization that helps survivors of sexual assault reclaim their lives through a combination of support groups, non-traditional therapy (meditation, yoga, art, etc.), and career services. Much of the current support for survivors focuses on legal and medical services, but the team at Luxz knows first hand that rape and sexual assault can completely alter someones life. So far theyve held workshops & will host a Take Back the Night event on campus. The team is made up of Jewish Studies major Ashley Persaud and Biology major Devjani Paul.

MoneyMiles is a fitness app centered around runners. Through running competitions and personalized analytics, their goal is to encourage everyone to get out and run more! Although entering a crowded space, the MoneyMiles team is excited to focus on the motivations of runners, and they spend a lot of time talking to runners to truly understand what they need. A group of fitness junkies themselves, the team believes in the power of exercise to relieve stress, stay healthy, and make friends. The MoneyMiles team is made up of Computer Environmental Engineering student Jennifer Duong, Computer Engineering student Simranjit Kaur, Computer Science student Bhavesh Shah, and Anim Xhafa. MoneyMiles took home the first place prize in the Zahn Technology track, $25,000.

SheFFA is a local, community-driven social enterprise dedicated to eradicating female genital cutting, is another competitor in the Social Impact track. Theyre working with young activists and community organizers to educate individuals on the effects of female genital cutting, with the hopes of eradicating the practice both here in the US and abroad. Theyre also working with doctors who specialize in reconstructive surgery to help more survivors access the surgery. The SheFFA team is made up of Biology major Arielle Brutus, Nonya Khedr, and Political Science student Shza Zaki. SheFFA took home the second place prize in the Zahn Social Impact track.

STEM Hive is a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging young girls in STEM fields! The idea was born at a Hackathon here at CCNY when the founders realized that they werent the only ones who questioned careers in STEM even after loving science and robotics all their lives. STEM Hive is on a mission to make sure that girls never lose their interest in STEM and pursue careers in the field. Theyll use a combination of near-peer mentorship, workshops, skill-building curriculum, and more to keep young girls engaged in STEM. The team is made up of Brandinf& Integrated Communication grad student Penelope Herrera, Biochemistry major Karla Jacome, Biology major Carolina Perez, and Computer Engineering major Daniel Gaston. STEM Hive won first place in the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize.

Floramind is an educational organization that develops tools to educate, empower and guide teenagers towards positive mental health & well-being. They host in-person workshops that cover the stigma around mental illness, mental health knowledge, self-care strategies, and how to seek for help. The founders are CCNY students Danny Tsoi, Khandker Ahamed and Mahmoud Khedr, three experienced entrepreneurs who are deeply passionate about solving the youth mental health crisis across the world. Theyve had experience working in organizations like the U.S. Marine Corps, Accenture, Teach For America, Facebook and Google€“along with building and running their own startups. So far, theyve developed partnerships at two schools, hosting 15 workshops impacting over 270 students. Theyve won awards from the New York Business Plan Competition (1st place, Social Impact) and Echoing Green/Barclays (Social Innovation Finalist), have been recognized as Forbes Under 30 Scholars, Clinton Global University Fellows, Colin Powell Fellows, and completed Y Combinators Startup School. Right now, theyre looking to get introductions to high schools and colleges that may be interested in bringing FloraMinds programs and workshops to their schools. Theyd also love introductions to CSR / Corporate folks who may be interested in sponsoring the work theyre doing so they can do it at more high schools.  

During the Accelerator, each startup will receive a $10,000 stipend so that at least two members from each team can dedicate 40 hours a week to the program. This is made possible by a generous sponsorship from CCNY alum Howard Morgan, Co-Founder of First Round Capital. Startups will work towards individual milestones with specific end goals that could include acceptance into a top tier accelerator program or seed/angel round investment. Theyll receive access to expert mentors and will gain introductions to closed-door meetings with senior advisors, investors, and business partners specifically chosen to meet their needs.

There will also be an educational component to the program in the form of daily workshops, as well as tailored consulting from Zahn staff. Startups will spend the summer conducting further market research and finishing their prototypes, all while developing a clearer understanding of their business from a financial perspective. Each team will receive individual help applying for grants, contracts, and other competitions. Experts from BNY Mellon and Willkie Farr & Gallagher will mentor startups throughout the program.

The Accelerator kicks off the week of June 10th with investigative meetings with investors. If youd like to be a part of that, please email katherine@zahncenternyc.com with your interest.

Well share their progress live on social media throughout the summer, so make sure you follow us @ZahnCenterNYC for updates!

Students at City College have an opportunity to create social impact through many activities on campus, but were excited to announce that well continue our partnership with Communitas America to train students for careers in the social impact realm. This year, weve paired it with our Apprenticeship Program, a career-readiness program out of our MakerLab that allows CCNY students the opportunity to develop their skills by working on projects within our MakerLab. We like to think of it as an apprenticeship that builds on what students learn in the classroom to prepare them for industry careers. This summer, some of our apprentices will take what theyve learned at the Zahn Center and work as interns at NYC-based social enterprises. Through this summer program, our students will not only gain invaluable career experience by working at social impact organizations and social enterprises in the NYC area, but theyll understand the foundations of building a career in the social impact sector through a series of skill-building workshops.

The program will kick off with a two-day intensive training seminar. Participating students will learn about the field of social innovation, and explore what it takes to build a career around their personal sense of purpose. Theyll also learn valuable skills to be successful  in a social impact-driven career, like impact measurement and growth hacking. The seminar will feature interviews and discussion with leaders in the space, and will be facilitated by Jana LaSorte, an educator and expert strategist in community engagement and program development.

This program was developed in partnership with Communitas America, a social impact firm that supports changemakers creating innovative solutions to solve social problems in underserved communities. Communitas America encourages changemakers and social entrepreneurs to further their missions. They are specifically focused on New York City, especially as its population represents much of the world. New Yorkers hail from hundreds of different countries, speaking many different languages; in the same vein, CCNY students represent almost every country in the globe and speak 150 different languages. For us, this means New Yorkers bring a variety of different experiences and are exposed to many more challenges, often having a duty to solve problems within their own communities here in the city and abroad. Communitas America is currently working with various social ventures and nonprofits in the NYC area within underserved communities to develop our Impact Ecosystems. They envision a city where no matter what zip code youre coming from, you can have the resources you need to be a changemaker where youre from. A community of changemakers can transform any community through collaboration and innovative work. With this program, we hope to give CCNY students a pathway towards a rewarding, purpose-driven career in social impact.

Once the internship matching process wraps up, well share a little bit more about where students are working and what theyll focus on throughout the summer. In the meantime, follow us on social media at @ZahnCenterNYC for updates on the 2-day immersive program!

If you're a CCNY student looking to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, you're in luck! We're hiring for three internship positions–a Social Media Intern, a Graphic Design Intern, and an Email Marketing Intern–this summer. You can see all the job descriptions below, as well as details on how to apply.

**This position has been filled for the summer** POSITION #1:  Social Media Intern

Position Summary:

The Social Media Intern will assist in the production and implementation of our social media marketing activities, and provide administrative and other communications support as needed. In this role youll increase the visibility for Zahn Innovation Center both on campus at CCNY and within the NYC startup space.

About the Zahn Innovation Center:

The Zahn Innovation Center is a startup incubator that nurtures entrepreneurial initiatives at the City College of New York, providing students with the tools they need to transform their ideas into sustainable ventures. The Center offers support for both technology-enabled startups and social impact ventures. The Center provides co-working spaces, as well as mentorship, workshops, academic classes, and expert pro-bono services. The Center also provides a wide range of prototyping capabilities for technology and hardware-based startups, including 3D printing, laser cutting, and machining.

Essential Functions:

• Strategize, craft, and execute content for all platforms, including Instagram (including stories), Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube
• Collaborate with the team to understand how and what we communicate to each audience
• Create & keep a content calendar
• Use innovative tactics to grow & engage our social media audiences
• Serve as a brand ambassador for the Zahn Center & seek out stories to share amongst our community
• Use data to optimize our social media marketing

Position Requirements & Qualities:

• Experience with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube
• Creative problem-solver able to get things done quickly, efficiently, and accurately
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills & interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational, time management and project management skills, with the energy and flexibility to shift from creative to administrative projects as needed
• A good storyteller with a strong eye for detail
• Highly motivated, energetic and enthusiastic self-starter
• Comfortable working as a collaborative partner on a small team
• Must be able to work within deadlines

To apply, email katherine@zahncenternyc.com with your resume and cover letter, as well as links to your personal social media pages and any that you might manage.

POSITION #2:  Graphic Design/Website Intern

Position Summary:

The Graphic Design Intern will design & develop high-quality, visually attractive, clear, and engaging graphic communications for print and digital channels. This position will also assist in managing & optimizing our website. In this role youll increase the visibility for Zahn Innovation Center both on campus at CCNY and within the NYC startup space. The position will have a strong focus on event marketing and recruitment for our various programs (an annual Startup Competition with a Demo Day & Finale, our Accelerator, the MakerLab Apprentice Program, our Zahn Innovation Summit, as well as Hackathons, Workshops, Speaker Series, and more).

About the Zahn Innovation Center:

The Zahn Innovation Center is a startup incubator that nurtures entrepreneurial initiatives at the City College of New York, providing students with the tools they need to transform their ideas into sustainable ventures. The Center offers support for both technology-enabled startups and social impact ventures. The Center provides co-working spaces, as well as mentorship, workshops, academic classes, and expert pro-bono services. The Center also provides a wide range of prototyping capabilities for technology and hardware-based startups, including 3D printing, laser cutting, and machining.

Essential Functions:

• Design & develop graphic communications for print & digital channels
• Design social media/website images, web ads, infographics, signs, brochures, flyers, and other promotional materials
• Adhere to brand guidelines and design/font standards
• Work closely with the team to design our e-newsletter & email marketing campaigns, and collaborate on social media content (visuals)
• Design and maintain new website pages
• Work closely with our team to translate messaging concepts into marketing materials

Position Requirements & Qualities:

• Proficient in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator & Photoshop and/or other common design applications (having a computer with access to these is a plus!)
• Proficient in WordPress and/or other common website applications
• Must be able to work within deadlines
• Creative problem-solver able to get things done quickly, efficiently, and accurately
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills & interpersonal skills
• A good storyteller with a strong eye for detail
• Highly motivated, energetic and enthusiastic self-starter
• Comfortable working as a collaborative partner on a small team

To apply, email katherine@zahncenternyc.com with your resume and cover letter, as well as a portfolio of your designs.

POSITION #3:  Email Marketing Intern

Position Summary:

The Email Marketing Intern will assist in the production and implementation of our email marketing activities, and provide administrative and other communications support as needed. In this role youll increase the visibility for Zahn Innovation Center both on campus at CCNY and within the NYC startup space. The position will have a strong focus on event marketing and recruitment for our various programs (an annual Startup Competition with a Demo Day & Finale, our Accelerator, the MakerLab Apprentice Program, our Zahn Innovation Summit, as well as Hackathons, Workshops, Speaker Series, and more).

About the Zahn Innovation Center:

The Zahn Innovation Center is a startup incubator that nurtures entrepreneurial initiatives at the City College of New York, providing students with the tools they need to transform their ideas into sustainable ventures. The Center offers support for both technology-enabled startups and social impact ventures. The Center provides co-working spaces, as well as mentorship, workshops, academic classes, and expert pro-bono services. The Center also provides a wide range of prototyping capabilities for technology and hardware-based startups, including 3D printing, laser cutting, and machining.

Essential Functions:

• Strategize, craft, and execute content for our monthly newsletter, as well as assist staff with email marketing/invitations for events & programs
• Collaborate with the team to understand how and what we communicate to each audience, and keep our brand voice consistent
• Create & keep a content calendar
• Work closely with the Design Intern to craft visuals to enhance our email marketing
• Maintain a rapid response time to email inquiries & keep a professional, but energetic tone in all correspondence

Position Requirements & Qualities:

• Familiar with Mailchimp or other common email marketing applications
• Must be able to work within deadlines
• Creative problem-solver able to get things done quickly, efficiently, and accurately
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills & interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational, time management and project management skills, with the energy and flexibility to shift from creative to administrative projects as needed
• A good storyteller with a strong eye for detail
• Highly motivated, energetic and enthusiastic self-starter
• Comfortable working as a collaborative partner on a small team
• Must be able to work within deadlines & shift from project to project
• Customer service experience is a plus!

To apply, email katherine@zahncenternyc.com with your resume and cover letter, as well as a one-page writing sample.

Almost 200 students, faculty, staff, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, mentors, sponsors, and family members watched in awe as eight startups gave it their all and pitched for the chance to win the grand prizes in each of our four competition categories. To us, everyone was a winner last night. And as CCNY President Vince Boudreau put it: “What you'll see here tonight is the future of CCNY–nimbleness, adaptiveness, that entrepreneurial thinking, is the future, and there's no better time to be here.”

But, there can only be four grand prize winners. It is with great excitement that I announce the top startups in each category:

Kaylie Prize:

The Coach, an interactive, automated boxing device that trains you & makes working out fun, won the Kaylie Prize for $50,000.This prize is part of an endowment sponsored by City College alum Harvey Kaylie, founder of Mini Circuits. The Coach team is dedicated to fitness and believes its the best preventive medicine. However, they know working out isnt always easy, and it certainly isnt always fun. Their goal is to bring an engaging boxing HIIT workout into the home to fit busy lifestyles, almost like a Peloton for boxing. They'll use the funds to manufacture their device. The Coach is made up of Mechanical Engineering majors Okiermute Oyiborhoro and Mahutin Paul, Computer Engineering major Krongchai Praponpoj, Computer Science major Nicholas Weatherley, and graduate student Granville Parker.

Zahn Social Impact Prize:

Beyond the Margins focuses on supporting “middle school deserts” with supplemental education designed to help students understand their passions and figure out what high schools would be best for them. They won first place in the Zahn Social Impact Prize, sponsored by the Moxie Foundation and worth $25,000.  For the past month theyve held workshops for middle schoolers in the NYC area, introducing them to a variety of different topics to supplement their education. Their goal is to help students go beyond the margins of the page and explore things that theyre passionate about. Beyond the Margins is led by Arielle Gallegos, an International Studies and Anthropology major; Jasmine Martin, an Advertising and Public Relations major; and Francisca Vallejo, a Mechanical Engineering major.

Standard Chartered Women + Tech4NYC Prize:

STEM Hive is a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging young girls in STEM fields, and they won first place in the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize, sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank and worth $25,000. The idea was born at a Hackathon here at CCNY when the founders realized that they werent the only ones who questioned careers in STEM even after loving science and robotics all their lives. STEM Hive is on a mission to make sure that girls never lose their interest in STEM and pursue careers in the field. Theyll use a combination of near-peer mentorship, workshops, skill-building curriculum, and more to keep young girls engaged in STEM. The team is made up of BIC student Penelope Herrera, Biochemistry major Karla Jacome, Biology major Carolina Perez, and Computer Engineering major Daniel Gaston.

Zahn Technology Prize:

MoneyMiles is a fitness app centered around runners. Through running competitions and personalized analytics, their goal is to encourage everyone to get out and run more! They won a first place of $25,000 in the Zahn Technology Prize, also sponsored by the Moxie Foundation. Although entering a crowded space, the MoneyMiles team is excited to focus on the motivations of runners, and they spend a lot of time talking to runners to truly understand what they need. A group of fitness junkies themselves, the team believes in the power of exercise to relieve stress, stay healthy, and make friends. The MoneyMiles team is made up of Computer Environmental Engineering student Jennifer Duong, Computer Engineering student Simranjit Kaur, Computer Science student Bhavesh Shah, and Anim Xhafa.

These winning startups were chosen by four separate panels of elite judges, one for each track. Read more about our panels of judges here.

We are so thankful for those who joined us in supporting these outstanding startups last night (and for those who were there in spirit!). In the upcoming months, well work closely with these startups to maintain goals and meet specific milestones. We cannot wait to share their progress with you, but in the meantime, check back next week for some exciting news about our Summer Accelerator!

We always say to our startups: our job is to make the judges job difficult. This quote sums up the time each track chair and mentor puts into priming every one of our startups for Demo Day and the Final Pitch.

Every year, the competition gets closer and the judges deliberations get more complicated. This year, weve gathered a powerhouse team to evaluate the 2019 Cohort. On Demo Day, investors, entrepreneurs, educators, public officials, and experts in a variety of fields met with each semi-finalist and carefully decided who would move on to the Final Pitch. They included, listed by track:

Kaylie Hardware Prize

• Alex Darby, Director of Strategic Operations, NEW INC
• Blake Garcia, Manager of Operations, SecondMuse
• Jacob Levy, Associate, SoundBoard Venture Fund

Zahn Social Impact Prize

• Jen Jones, Co-Founder, Women You Should Know & Women You Should Fund
• William Poon, Director of Strategy, Communitas America
• Maggie Tishman, Program Director for Economic Innovation, MIT Community Innovators Lab

Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize

• Angie Muller, Co-Founder & CEO, Carbyn
• Camilla Uden, Treasurer, Zoetis
• Matthew Washington, Deputy Borough President, Office of the Manhattan Borough President

Zahn Technology Prize

• Amy Chen, Director of Entrepreneurship Programs, NYC Media Lab
• Marc Escapa, Co-Founder & CEO, Noken
• Abby Lyall, Senior Associate, Quake Capital

On Thursday, the finalist teams will meet more investors from Golden Seeds, SoundBoard Venture Fund, Republic, Accelerate NY Seed Fund, and 6th Ave Capital; experts from Standard Chartered Bank, The Moxie Foundation, Acumen, NYCEDC, CapGemini, UpWardly Global,  the Cordes Foundation; as well as educators from CCNY, founders, and experts in law.

Together, theyll consider how developed each teams product/service is, their pathway to long-term sustainability, and their go-to-market strategy. There are also specific requirements for each of the four categories, so weve assembled four separate panels of experts€“one for each track€“to evaluate the 18 teams.

The Kaylie Prize was developed and sponsored by CCNY Alum Harvey Kaylie, Founder of Mini-Circuits. This category celebrates all things hardware, and qualified startups are building physical products that may or may not include a connected (smart) technology. This year, we chose judges who not only have experience investing in medtech and hardware devices, but have vast knowledge of how these devices operate! They include:

• Noel Goddard, Principal, Accelerate NY Seed Fund
• Jonathan Hakakian, Managing Partner, SoundBoard Venture Fund
• DB Lampman, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Makerspace NYC

The Zahn Social Impact Prize is developed and sponsored by the Moxie Foundation. This category acts as a catalyst for the spread of social entrepreneurship on campus, and encourages students to develop a global perspective on impact. Startups in this category were challenged to build ventures with a sustainable revenue model, whose primary objective is social change or environmental stewardship. They may pursue either a nonprofit or for-profit model, and the judges are experts in economic development and non-profits & social enterprises.

• Lindsay Clinton, Senior Vice President, NYCEDC
• Peter Zahn, President, Moxie Foundation
• Yasmina Zaidman, Chief Partnerships Officer, Acumen

The Standard Chartered Women + Tech4NYC Prize is sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank as part of the Women in Technology Incubator at the Zahn Center. This year, the category celebrates the role of women in building Silicon Alley. Startups were challenged to leverage technology to address challenges in urban environments. By nature, many of the startups in this category have a social impact mission at their core, and may consider nonprofit status in the future. This years panel of judges is dedicated to keeping their city on the cutting edge, with expertise in investing, finance, and social enterprise.

• Jina Krause-Vilmar, President and CEO, Upwardly Global
• Emily Susskind, Managing Director, Golden Seeds
• Lalita Vadhri, Global Accounts Manager, Corporate and Institutional Clients, Americas, Standard Chartered

The Zahn Technology Prize is also sponsored by the Moxie Foundation. Startups in this category were challenged to develop ventures that use technology to solve problems otherwise untouched. Their products include transformative new apps, web platforms, database tools, or e-commerce sites. This year, we chose judges with a vast knowledge of the latest technologies. Some work directly in the tech field, while others have been long-time investors of technology ventures. They include:

• Samantha Berg, 6th Ave Capital
• Chuck Pettid, Partner, Republic
• Bob Schwartz, VP, Applied Innovation Exchange Global Operations Lead, Capgemini

Our Final Pitch judges will decide who will walk away with grand prizes totaling $150,000. Follow the action live on Thursday, May 9th via Twitter & Instagram at @ZahnCenterNYC starting at 5:30pm.

Were still feeling excitement from yesterdays Demo Day. Hundreds of supporters visited CCNY startups as they shared their MVPs and prototypes with the community.

Startups seen yesterday have developed their ideas in our Lean Startup Bootcamp for the past semester, and Demo Day marked the first of two events that will determine which teams win prize money totaling $150,000. While the fun was happening outside on campus, judges carefully deliberated inside. The pressure was on. After much thought, the judges selected two teams from each of the four categories €“ hardware, social impact, women & tech for NYC, and technology. These eight finalist teams will pitch again in front of an audience later this week at the Final Pitch.

The Kaylie Hardware Prize:

The Coach – an interactive, automated boxing device that trains you & makes working out fun. The Coach team is dedicated to fitness and believes its the best preventive medicine. However, they know working out isnt always easy, and it certainly isnt always fun. Their goal is to bring an engaging boxing HIIT workout into the home to fit busy lifestyles, almost like a Peloton for boxing. We cant wait to see it in action! The Coach is made up of Mechanical Engineering majors Okiermute Oyiborhoro and Mahutin Paul, Computer Engineering major Krongchai Praponpoj, Computer Science major Nicholas Weatherley, and graduate student Granville Parker.

WiseWatch – a stylish and customizable tracking device for individuals suffering from dementia. The bracelet will give caregivers and family members peace of mind, while also allowing people with dementia to gain more independence. This idea was inspired by one of the cofounders personal experience with his grandmother, and those of us who have experienced dementia know how terrifying it is to have your loved one wander off, vulnerable. The WiseWatch team is made up of Mechanical Engineering majors Nikolas Arsenlis and Norphel Sherpa, Computer Science majors Danish Faruqi and Thomas Ly, and recent grad Bethold Kobe Owusu.

The Zahn Social Impact Prize:

Beyond the Margins – focuses on bettering education for marginalized groups. For the past month theyve held workshops for middle schoolers in the NYC area, introducing them to a variety of different topics to supplement their education. Their goal is to help students go beyond the margins of the page and explore things that theyre passionate about. Beyond the Margins is led by Arielle Gallegos, an International Studies and Anthropology major; Jasmine Martin, an Advertising and Public Relations major; and Francisca Vallejo, a Mechanical Engineering major.

SheFFA – a local, community-driven social enterprise dedicated to eradicating female genital cutting, is another competitor in the Social Impact track. Theyre working with young activists and community organizers to educate individuals on the effects of female genital cutting, with the hopes of eradicating the practice both here in the US and abroad. Theyre also working with doctors who specialize in reconstructive surgery to help more survivors access the surgery. The SheFFA team is made up of Biology major Arielle Brutus, Nonya Khedr, and Political Science student Shza Zaki.

The Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize:

Olacare – a customizable sexual & reproductive health app for the LGBTQ community. Having experienced healthcare that didnt consider issues outside of a heterosexual cisgender life, the Olacare team decided to create a more inclusive experience. Through Olacare, users can take control of their sexual and reproductive health, as well as find doctors who are either part of the LGBTQ community or are allies. The Olacare team is made up of Brivia Bobby, a Biology major with a minor in Psychology; Anthony Bravo, a Computer Engineering major; Tyler Jimenez Perez, an Electronic Design & Multimedia major; and Natascha Krishnanand, a Spanish & French double-major.

STEM Hive – a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging young girls in STEM fields! The idea was born at a Hackathon here at CCNY when the founders realized that they werent the only ones who questioned careers in STEM even after loving science and robotics all their lives. STEM Hive is on a mission to make sure that girls never lose their interest in STEM and pursue careers in the field. Theyll use a combination of near-peer mentorship, workshops, skill-building curriculum, and more to keep young girls engaged in STEM. The team is made up of BIC student Penelope Herrera, Biochemistry major Karla Jacome, Biology major Carolina Perez, and Computer Engineering major Daniel Gaston.

The Zahn Technology Prize:

MarkGen – a platform that uses machine learning algorithms to handle multivariate relationships to simulate market data and provide accurate risk assessments for financial products. They plan to help financial analysts better predict market patterns, but perhaps theres a possibility that this could help your everyday at-home trader! The students working on this project work closely with several professors across departments including Michael Grossberg, Kevin Foster, and Hank Nguyen. The MarkGen team is made up of Computer Engineering majors Andriana Aivazians, Eddie Chen, and Marin Muso.

MoneyMiles – a fitness app centered around runners. Through running competitions and personalized analytics, their goal is to encourage everyone to get out and run more! Although entering a crowded space, the MoneyMiles team is excited to focus on the motivations of runners, and they spend a lot of time talking to runners to truly understand what they need. A group of fitness junkies themselves, the team believes in the power of exercise to relieve stress, stay healthy, and make friends. The MoneyMiles team is made up of Computer Environmental Engineering student Jennifer Duong, Computer Engineering student Simranjit Kaur, Computer Science student Bhavesh Shah, and Anim Xhafa.

To support your team and find out who takes home the grand prizes, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@ZahnCenterNYC) on the evening of May 9th. Well go backstage with the startups, and announce the winners by the end of the night. Well also announce the winners that YOU selected for the Audience Choice Award, and the startups who will continue on in our Accelerator Program!

Only a few more days until Demo Day! Were excited for you to see how far our startups have come in only a few months, but we have to acknowledge some of the people who helped get them to where they are. Each year we invite expert mentors in to support our startups. Some lead workshops on the topics in our Lean Startup Bootcamp, some take one on one office hours each week, and others join us for pitch practice, readying the startups for not only Demo Day & the Final Pitch, but for investors later on. Its a fun, rewarding process, and heres what some of our mentors had to say about it:

Mentoring young entrepreneurs through the Zahn Center is so rewarding. Its great to listen to their ideas, share with them my experience to help them grow, then watch as they take my suggestions and improve their business ideas. The students at the Zahn Center work so hard to ensure their business is the best possible that it can be.” – Liz Gallo, WhyMaker – Liz led several workshops on user identification, customer interviews, and how to analyze insights

I volunteer at the Zahn Center as I find the enthusiasm and ambition of the start-ups to be inspiring. By leveraging technology and a lot of ambition, they are looking to tackle some of our communities biggest challenges. To be a small part of the that journey is why I come back every year. – Brandon Shin, Standard Chartered – Brandon, a mentor from our Women in Tech network at Standard Chartered Bank, leads workshops, takes office hours, and somehow manages to make COGS fun!

It was a great service-learning opportunity to support the Zahn Innovation Center startups and share in the entrepreneurial journey of the teams. The one thing I know for sure is that the root of entrepreneurship and innovation is community, and it was great to be a part of this one. This community, a true demonstration of gender parity, equity, and diversity among founders, truly sparks joy and speaks to the future of venture creation. – Lona Vincent, Johnson & Johnson – Lona and her team led several workshops on customer discovery and customer mapping to help our startups understand their users.

Im proud to support the Zahn Centers student-entrepreneurs at City College. Ive found the program participants curious and unafraid, prepared and responsible, and looking for a way to change the way we think about any number of subjects. It might seem off to some, but after participating in a kick-off sessions or all-day bootcamp I leave feeling enthused and invigorated, and even feeling honored to have met and possibly even helped people who are striving to make a difference in the world. Brian Heiman, Standard Chartered – Brian helps us select startups by reviewing countless applications & joins us throughout the year to offer financial support as well as pitch feedback.

“I learn a lot mentoring the amazing students at the Zahn Center. It's definitely a two-way street. And it's great having a chance to meet the fresh new faces of tomorrow!” – Joe Spivack, Angel Investor – Joes guidance early on is crucial for our startups as they navigate the world of entrepreneurship & venture capital.

Its been a pleasure working with the creative young minds at Zahn, especially watching our CUNY I-Corps teams move their projects forward. – Jessica Fields, iCorps – Jessica worked with some of our startups in the CUNY iCorps program before they entered our Lean Startup Bootcamp, and then came back to help startups dissect their learnings and pivot if necessary.

“I am so inspired by the CCNY Zahn student entrepreneurs – their drive, passion and creativity – it is an honor to participate as a mentor in the program.” – Fran Engoron, Golden Seeds – Fran has invested in over 30 women-led startups and brings incredible perspective to our teams. The entire team at Golden Seeds has been tremendously helpful when it comes to coaching our startups and providing feedback.

Mentoring at the Zahn Center is inspirational. The students have such energy and drive–and do it while balancing a full course load. It is so rewarding when you can guide them to a better answer to compliment their idea. And their ideas are always so fantastic. I wish I had that level of creativity. – Jim Miller – Jim takes one-on-one meetings with mentors year after year, offering fantastic advice.

The experience of working with highly passionate minds collaboratively engaging with critical social issues was truly refreshing and inspirational. – Jonathan Melendez-Davidson, Johnson & Johnson – Jonathan taught a workshop on customer mapping & has used his design experience to help numerous startups.

The Zahn Innovation Center is an important place for students to learn about entrepreneurship through experience. I was impressed by the students, the robustness of the program, and the vision of the projects. – Wilma Lam, Johnson & Johnson – Wilma also led a workshop on customer insights, and helped startups map out their customer experience.

A huge thank you goes out to all of our mentors, listed below.

From Standard Chartered Bank

Martha Adeline

Malti Agnani

Natalie Bergeron

Giancarlo Braccia

Nick Caselli

Monica Costa

Amanda Cruz

Wojciech Deptuch

Jill Dyer

Patty Fuster

Sandra Harris

Brian Heiman

Donna Hill

Hilary Huber

Jeremy Mitchell

Ben Olson

Ayodeji Omoogun

Ting Ting Peng

Raja Rajeswari Bommu

Hilary Rosenberg

Madeline Schatzman

Ashley Shillingford

Brandon Shin

Nancy Shuangcen Yu

Rodrigo Vega

Lara Yacoub

From the Zahn Advisory Board

Art Brody

Dave Newman

From CCNY

Celia Lloyd

From Golden Seeds

Fran Engoron

Renee Lautmann

Cheryl Kallem

Eric Nadler

From Johnson & Johnson

Wilma Lam

Min Joo Lee

Jonathan Melendez-Davidson

Sarikka Raman

Lona Vincent

Our Entrepreneurs in Residence

Marc Escapa, Noken

Ellie Li, Projections.io

Itamar Yunger, SoundBetter

Lisa Guerra, SeeThru

Christina Torres, SeeThru

Khandker Ahamed, FloraMind

Mahmoud Khedr, FloraMind

Danny Tsoi, FloraMind

And more!

Shayak Banerjee, Meetup

Sean Dhadialla, essdee consulting

Bill Drewes, Attorney

Jessica Fields, CUNY NSF iCorps

Belle Frank, VMLY&R

Liz Gallo, Whymaker

Sahar Ghaheri, dh studio

Max Goodman, Wilkie Farr & Gallagher

Heinrich Gross, Arrow

Steven Haines, Sequent Learning Networks

Stephen McKenna, IBM

Jim Miller, Cloud9 Technologies

Oscar Romero, NYC Mayors Office of the CTO

Deepti Shrivastava, Investor

Joseph Spivack, Angel Investor

Some of these mentors will join us on Demo Day. Will you?

Its only a few more days until Demo Day–have you met the the startups yet? Youll get to vote for one favorite in each track (there are four tracks–Kaylie Prize for Hardware, Zahn Social Impact, Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC, and Zahn Technology). Below youll meet the startups competing for the Zahn Technology Prize this year!

The Zahn Technology Prize includes mobile apps, platforms, and e-commerce sites. The track ensures that technology serves people & enhances more industries. Were excited by the use of added technologies like machine learning that we see in this cohort! This year the startups in this category will focus on exciting industries like finance, fitness, and data. Check them out:

MarkGen is a platform that uses machine learning algorithms to handle multivariate relationships to simulate market data and provide accurate risk assessments for financial products. They plan to help financial analysts better predict market patterns, but perhaps theres a possibility that this could help your everyday at-home trader! The students working on this project work closely with several professors across departments including Michael Grossberg, Kevin Foster, and Hank Nguyen. The MarkGen team is made up of Computer Engineering majors Andriana Aivazians, Eddie Chen, and Marin Muso.

MoneyMiles is a fitness app centered around runners. Through running competitions and personalized analytics, their goal is to encourage everyone to get out and run more! Although entering a crowded space, the MoneyMiles team is excited to focus on the motivations of runners, and they spend a lot of time talking to runners to truly understand what they need. A group of fitness junkies themselves, the team believes in the power of exercise to relieve stress, stay healthy, and make friends. The MoneyMiles team is made up of Computer Environmental Engineering student Jennifer Duong, Computer Engineering student Simranjit Kaur, Computer Science student Bhavesh Shah, and Anim Xhafa.

PopIt is helping individuals achieve their goals, build skills, and learn about knew topics. Theyre essentially a digital idea board, allowing users to organize screenshots, photos, and links in one place. The app also sets reminders and makes suggestions based on location. The idea was inspired by founder & Computer Science student Michal Moryosefs passion for dance. After serving in the military in her home in Israel, Michal came to the US to pursue her passion for dancing, but found that it was difficult to stay on track and find the right resources in a bustling city. She hopes this tool will help others reinvigorate their sense of goal-setting. Shes joined by Gabriel Adalla (studying Business), Greg Kimatov (studying Computer Science), and Mei Yolles (studying Applied Mathematics & Musical Performance).

Dont miss these startups and more at their Demo Day on Monday, May 6th outside of the NAC from 12pm-2pm!

Its only a few more days until Demo Day–have you met the the startups yet? Youll get to vote for one favorite in each track (there are four tracks–Kaylie Prize for Hardware, Zahn Social Impact, Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC, and Zahn Technology). Below youll meet the startups competing for the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize.

Although our entire cohort represents 50/50 gender parity, the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize celebrates women founders specifically. This category is meant to bolster the NYC tech & entrepreneurship scene (already the best place for female founders) with even more women in c-suite positions. The startups in this category will define what Silicon Alley will be known for, and represent a variety of fields from robotics to edtech. Meet the future of NYC below:

Fruition is one of our edtech teams concerned about study habits. Having never learned how to study, they spent a lot of their high school days perfecting different study methods and helping friends develop study guides. Their goal is to help students understand how they need to study through learning assessments, and then develop personalized study plans around their “study type.” The Fruition team is made up of Political Science major Emma Montero, Computer Engineering major Ostavo Palacios, Computer Science major Jimmaely Valdez, and Mechanical Engineering major (and student athlete!) Nahomi Zambrano.

Gesture gives individuals with disabilities their independence back with help from a robot! Inspired by family members who have limited mobility, Gestures goal is to give individuals an extra set of hands for reaching things and doing what they love, like cooking. The best part is that the robot is controlled via hand gestures, so it can be completely manipulated by the user, making it extremely customizable. The Gesture team works with professor Hao Su of the Robotics Department, and is led by Electrical Engineering students Annmarie Reid and Xin Xin Huang. The team is rounded out by new members Avraham Brand (Computer Engineering), Seoyeong Lee (Chemical Engineering), and Ewelina Randall (Mechanical Engineering).

Another competitor in this track is Olacare, a customizable sexual & reproductive health app for the LGBTQ community. Having experienced healthcare that didnt consider issues outside of a heterosexual cisgender life, the Olacare team decided to create a more inclusive experience. Through Olacare, users can take control of their sexual and reproductive health, as well as find doctors who are either part of the LGBTQ community or are allies. The Olacare team is made up of Brivia Bobby, a Biology major with a minor in Psychology; Anthony Bravo, a Computer Engineering major; Tyler Jimenez Perez, an Electronic Design & Multimedia major; and Natascha Krishnanand, a Spanish & French double-major.

STEM Hive is a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging young girls in STEM fields! The idea was born at a Hackathon here at CCNY when the founders realized that they werent the only ones who questioned careers in STEM even after loving science and robotics all their lives. STEM Hive is on a mission to make sure that girls never lose their interest in STEM and pursue careers in the field. Theyll use a combination of near-peer mentorship, workshops, skill-building curriculum, and more to keep young girls engaged in STEM. The team is made up of BIC student Penelope Herrera, Biochemistry major Karla Jacome, Biology major Carolina Perez, and Computer Engineering major Daniel Gaston.

And finally, Studyspace looks to develop a WeWork for students, creating smart co-working spaces for students to study & network. Founders Diamantie Davy (a recent CCNY grad) and Khrisanna Trinidad (an Economics major) are longtime study buddies and friends who were tired of hopping around from the library to Starbucks in order to study. They needed a dedicated, 24hr (and coffee-friendly) space that they could call their own. So far, theyve partnered with current spaces to create study pop-ups. Diamantie & Khrisanna are joined by economics student Justin Pearce.

Dont miss these startups and more at their Demo Day on Monday, May 6th outside of the NAC from 12pm-2pm!

Its only a few more days until Demo Day–have you met the the startups yet? Youll get to vote for one favorite in each track (there are four tracks–Kaylie Prize for Hardware, Zahn Social Impact, Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC, and Zahn Technology). Below youll meet the startups competing for the Zahn Social Impact Prize.

The Zahn Social Impact Prize celebrates changemakers and aims to develop the next generation of social entrepreneurs. Many of our students–like a lot Millennials and GenZers–are incredibly socially conscious. These startups specifically pursue entrepreneurship as a way to make the world better, and focus on issues right here at home, or abroad. From combating sexual harassment & FGC to enhancing cultural experiences & education, these startups are taking on some tough challenges. Meet the teams:

Beyond the Margins focuses on bettering education for marginalized groups. For the past month theyve held workshops for middle schoolers in the NYC area, introducing them to a variety of different topics to supplement their education. Their goal is to help students go beyond the margins of the page and explore things that theyre passionate about. Beyond the Margins is led by Arielle Gallegos, an International Studies and Anthropology major; Jasmine Martin, an Advertising and Public Relations major; and Francisca Vallejo, a Mechanical Engineering major.

SheFFA, a local, community-driven social enterprise dedicated to eradicating female genital cutting, is another competitor in the Social Impact track. Theyre working with young activists and community organizers to educate individuals on the effects of female genital cutting, with the hopes of eradicating the practice both here in the US and abroad. Theyre also working with doctors who specialize in reconstructive surgery to help more survivors access the surgery. The SheFFA team is made up of Biology major Arielle Brutus, Nonya Khedr, and Political Science student Shza Zaki.

Luxz is tackling another big problem in society–the issue of sexual violence. This team is building an organization that helps survivors of sexual assault reclaim their lives through a combination of support groups, non-traditional therapy (meditation, yoga, art, etc.), and career services. Much of the current support for survivors focuses on legal and medical services, but the team at Luxz knows first hand that rape and sexual assault can completely alter someones life. So far theyve held workshops & will host a Take Back the Night event on campus. Meet the team–Jewish Studies major Ashley Persaud, Biology major Devjani Paul, and English major Andrew Rondon–at Demo Day!

Last but not least is Stage One, a locally-based patronization and discovery platform for artists. They aim to empower street artists & performers as well as reinvigorate a sense of hyper-local culture. New Yorkers can find and support (through monetary donations) other New Yorkers–The Sterling Strings at the Broadway Lafayette stop, Im looking at you! Come out and support the Stage One team, made up of Math majors Zachary Simon and Aviad Susman, as well as Ezra Zinberg, at Demo Day!

Dont miss these startups and more at their Demo Day on Monday, May 6th outside of the NAC from 12pm-2pm!

Its only a few more days until Demo Day–have you met the the startups yet? Youll get to vote for one favorite in each track (there are four tracks–Kaylie Prize for Hardware, Zahn Social Impact, Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC, and Zahn Technology). Below youll meet the startups competing for the Kaylie Prize this year!

Many of the teams in this track are born out of senior design or research projects from the School of Engineering or Architecture, and some are inspired by real-life problems people closest to them face. Startups in this cohort are developing tangible products in our MakerLab, and work closely with the students in our Apprenticeship Program to develop their prototypes. And it might be a coincidence, but all of them are medtech-focused–theyre either focusing on making chronic diseases and conditions more manageable, or dabbling in preventive practices with fitness devices.

So who are they?

Design & Disorder is a multi-pronged technology for the deaf community and those with hearing loss, combining a stylish wearable with sensors in the home to help individuals identify & locate sounds. Not only will these individuals feel safer (theyll hear a door opening, the water running, etc.), but it will allow individuals to establish more independence. One of the co-founders, Heba Attia (a Psychology major), has a personal experience with this that drives the team forward. Shes joined by Marvel Delva, an Architecture major, and Elmi Jimenez, an Electrical Engineering student, both equally determined to bring this idea to life.

Glucodot is a wearable device for individuals with diabetes that allows the user to monitor their glucose levels without pricking their fingers. The device will stick on the user, using sweat to monitor glucose levels. Its particularly ideal for those who need to continuously monitor. The Glucodot team is made up computer, chemical, and biomedical engineering students Emily Choon, Sandy Qiu, Sabrina Shafi, and Maliha Tabassum. How did they come up with the idea? Many of their family members suffer from diabetes, and they wanted to help them & others like them manage the disease.

Another competitor is WiseWatch, a stylish and customizable tracking device for individuals suffering from dementia. The bracelet will give caregivers and family members peace of mind, while also allowing people with dementia to gain more independence. This idea was inspired by one of the cofounders personal experience with his grandmother, and those of us who have experienced dementia know how terrifying it is to have your loved one wander off, vulnerable. The WiseWatch team is made up of Mechanical Engineering majors Nikolas Arsenlis and Norphel Sherpa, Computer Science majors Danish Faruqi and Thomas Ly, and recent grad Bethold Kobe Owusu.

Another group of mechanical engineers and computer engineers are working on The Coach, an interactive, automated boxing device that trains you & makes working out fun. The Coach team is dedicated to fitness and believes its the best preventive medicine. However, they know working out isnt always easy, and it certainly isnt always fun. Their goal is to bring an engaging boxing HIIT workout into the home to fit busy lifestyles, almost like a Peloton for boxing. We cant wait to see it in action! The Coach is made up of Mechanical Engineering majors Okiermute Oyiborhoro and Mahutin Paul, Computer Engineering major Krongchai Praponpoj, Computer Science major Nicholas Weatherley, and graduate student Granville Parker.

Another startup looking to help fitness junkies get the most of their workout is Adon, a smart clothing brand focused on providing 3D form tracking and personalized feedback. Their goal is to minimize fitness-related injury and maximize the results of weight lifting by helping you maintain proper form. The team believes this is a great option for those without trainers (and for those who dont want to YouTube every move!). Adon is made up of Biomedical Engineering students Vladislav Mandzhiye and La Shawn Pearce, Mechanical Engineering students Mohammad Bari and Darren Lin, and Computer Engineering student Krushang Shah.

Dont miss these startups and more at their Demo Day on Monday, May 6th outside of the NAC from 12pm-2pm!

Many of you are familiar with our partnership with Standard Chartered Bank, and the track they support (Women+Tech4NYC). In partnership with Standard Chartered, increasing the number of women founders in NYC (and supporting them) remains a core initiative of the Zahn Center. Last year, we achieved gender parity in our competition (a rise from a mere 17% women just three years prior). This year, women represent at least 60% of our cohort! To close out Women's History Month, we'd like to take a minute to call out the startups that are either founded solely by women, or have women on the founding team. And as you can see, it's nearly every team (the others are strong allies–The Coach, Stage One, and WiseWatch looking at you!).

• Adon (formerly HolesNYC): a fitness shirt that tracks muscle movement to help you achieve the best results when you lift weights
• Design & Disorder: a sleek wearable for individuals with hearing loss to help them identify the sounds around them
• Sugar-Tat: a wearable technology that monitors diabetes without having to prick your finger
• Fruition: an app that enables students to enhance their success through personalized study plans
• Gesture-Controlled Robot: a robot controlled via hand gestures made by the user, meant to enhance quality of life for people with disabilities
• olacare (formerly Olahealth): a customizable sexual/reproductive health app for the LGBTQIA+ community
• STEM Hive: a platform for young girls to engage in STEM, receive community mentorship, and gather cryptocurrency rewards based on academic or social achievements
• Study Space: smart co-working spaces for students to improve their studying experiences
• Beyond the Margins: bettering education for marginalized groups
• It Hurts: a local, community-driven social enterprise dedicated to eradicating female genital cutting by empowering young activists through education & art
• Rising Phoenix: an organization that aims to help survivors of sexual assault reclaim their lives
• MarkGen (formerly EMAC): a platform that uses machine learning tools to handle multivariate relationships to simulate market data and provide accurate risk assessments for financial products
• GetUp: an app that makes exercise fun and helps to motivate individuals to form healthy physical activity habits
• PopIt: a digital idea board that allows to organize screenshots, photos, and links in one place to better achieve goals, build skills, and learn about various topics

The reason we end Women's History Month with this call is that even though NYC is the best place for female founders, and even though programs like ours exist to inspire more young women to pursue entrepreneurship and tech, there are still hurdles for these young women to climb. For example, even as the number of women-led businesses grow at an unprecedented rate, a mere 2% of all Venture Capital goes to female founders.

What can you do? Speak up & sponsor. If you can get into rooms that she can't, make sure that you're her greatest advocate.

Join us on March 6th for the second Zahn Innovation Summit, a premiere event in Harlem featuring thought provoking conversation from NYC government officials, investors and entrepreneurs. Our theme is “our problems, our solutions, our unicorns.” Well be talking about the diversity of NYCs population–the unique challenges we face–and how we can take ownership of the solutions for our own communitys problem sets.

This event is all about bringing the tech/entrepreneurship community here to CCNY's campus and highlighting YOUR role in the future of NYC's tech ecosystem.

Workshops:

1. “Hidden” Resources for New Yorkers w/ Desiree Frieson (NY Designs), DB Lampman (Makerspace NYC) & Maggie Tishman (Bronx Innovation Factory)  – A discussion around organizations and available resources supporting the NYC entrepreneurial ecosystem, that may have an unique niche, or are located in the outer boroughs.

2. Using NYC Open Data w/ the Mayor's Office of Data Analytics – understand open data sets & how to use them (bring your laptop for this one!)

3. Electronics 101 w/ Arrow – joins us for a fun workshop on electronics!

4. Understanding Government-funded projects w/ the Mayor's Office of the CTO – we talk about funding opportunities through local government

5. Data-Driven Diversification w/ Paolo Gaudiano – finding, accessing, and using data to inform diversification

6. NYCx Co-Labs Local Challenges for Immigrant Communities (closed meeting) – The Inwood and Washington Heights Community Tech Board was convened by the NYCx Co-Labs team of the NYC Mayors Office of the Chief Technology Officer to inform the research behind the NYCx Co-Labs Challenges. The Community Tech Board convenes periodically to discuss local community challenges. This event will be a participatory workshop where members of the Community Tech Board will share their views regarding local challenges for immigrant communities.

A Panel Discussion

In our panel discussion, we'll discuss public-private partnerships and how you can leverage them. Special speakers will be announced soon!

The Zahn Startup Competition Practice Pitch

The very heart of Zahn Innovation Center is our Zahn Venture Competition. Every year, 24 teams compete for over $150,000 total prizes. Youll meet the current teams vying for these prizes at their first public pitch in preparation for May's Demo Day. Come support and see them as they take their first step into the public eye. Read more about the 2019 Startup Cohort here.

Use code BFF for free tickets!

Wondering what some of your favorite Zahn alumni have been up to? Weve rounded up some of our past startups who are knee deep in the #startupgrind & highlighted some of their recent successes so that you can be in the know.

Skinno Seeks Pre-Seed Investment Round

Skinno, the winner of last years Zahn Technology Prize. Skinno is an application that translates ingredient lists into plain English, and connects consumers with products that are right for them. They're starting with skincare to bring transparency through consumer education to beauty and wellness, a historically opaque and confusing industry. The founders, Lisa Guerrera and Christina Torres, are both scientists turned startup founders, hoping to make the science of everyday products accessible to everyday people. They're both CCNY alumni, with Lisa having a B.S. in Chemistry, and Christina having a BS/MS in Biology. Currently, they employ a few part time people: two developers from the Bronx; graphic designer Sumi, a very recent CCNY grad; and UI/UX designer Corinne, an EDM student at CCNY.

Since the Competition they've launched SkinMood, an interactive quiz that combines factors like skin type, environment, lifestyle, and product preferences to give consumers insight into what their skin needs in the moment and to collect preliminary consumer data they need for their product. Within just two weeks of launch they had over 12,000 people take this quiz with no marketing money spent. They're working on the second version of this quiz based on over a 1,000 users feedback. Currently, they're raising their pre-seed round via a convertible note and are looking for investors to be a part of their round. Anyone interested in investment can contact Lisa at: lisa@skinnoapp.com

Floramind Brings Mental Health Education to NYC High Schools

FloraMind is an educational organization that develops tools to educate, empower and guide teenagers towards positive mental health & well-being. They host in-person workshops that cover the stigma around mental illness, mental health knowledge, self-care strategies, and how to seek for help. The founders are CCNY students Danny Tsoi, Khandker Ahamed and Mahmoud Khedr, three experienced entrepreneurs who are deeply passionate about solving the youth mental health crisis across the world. They've had experience working in organizations like the U.S. Marine Corps, Accenture, Teach For America, Facebook and Google–along with building and running their own startups. So far, they've developed partnerships at two schools, hosting 15 workshops impacting over 270 students. They've won awards from the New York Business Plan Competition (1st place, Social Impact) and Echoing Green/Barclays (Social Innovation Finalist), have been recognized as Forbes Under 30 Scholars, Clinton Global University Fellows, Colin Powell Fellows, and completed Y Combinator's Startup School. Right now, they're looking to get introductions to high schools and colleges that may be interested in bringing FloraMind's programs and workshops to their schools. They'd also love introductions to CSR / Corporate folks who may be interested in sponsoring the work theyre doing so they can do it at more high schools.  

Carry Fils-Aime Brings Iodized Salt to Grocery Stores in Haiti

Do you remember Le Sel Foundation, a competitor in the 2015 Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC track? Le Sel was founded by Carry Fils-Aime, a CCNY grad inspired by problems in her home country of Haiti. The original vision for Le Sel Foundation was a salt manufacturing company combined with an educational component that would popularize iodized salt in Haiti, a country that suffers from Iodine Deficiency Disorder. In a few short years, and not without many bumps in the road–like the devastation of Hurricane Matthew, which not only destroyed Carrys inventory but meant more pressing issues on the island had to be resolved–Le Sel is now Agro Karib S.A., a salt producing company that provides healthy iodized salt under the label Tika. The company provides both coarse and fine salt, and has five full-time employees. Tika is sold in 42 supermarkets, and has become somewhat of a household name in the metropolitan area.

Now the company is in the process of buying machinery, moving from her small shipping container office to a warehouse, and securing more partnerships. Carry and her team are currently pitching for a $200K investment. She explains that with that money theyll will build a laboratory to test their products on site, as well as buy some equipment. Theyre also applying to the Scale Up Haiti program, which is a new public/private initiative that aims to help companies grow.

Nuravine Finishes I-Corps, Moves to M-Corps

Nuravine, the winner of the 2017 Zahn Social Impact Prize, finished two rounds of the National Science Foundations I-Corps (at the Regional & National levels), a program designed to allow scientists and engineers the opportunity to bring products to market by garnering a deep understanding of their customer landscape. Theyve recently been accepted to M-Corps, a new manufacturing program by SecondMuse in NYC and NextCorps in Rochester as an edition to NYSERDAs cleantech startup program. Alex Babich and Adrian Logan, both recent CCNY grads, tell me theyre excited to join so many other incredible startups in M-Corps. The Nuravine team is working on a new product, while also testing with customers (who report their plants are growing 10% faster with Nuravine!). They expect to start raising in Q2 of next year.

More Updates!

Veripad, the 2016 Zahn Social Impact Prize winner has been accepted to I-Corps Nationals and continues to make progress. BitSprout, the 2017 Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize is currently testing its product with students. Sprtlook, a competitor in the 2018 Zahn Technology Track, is currently raising a Friends & Family round.

We look forward to what 2019 will bring these teams, and will keep you updated on any developments. If you would like to get connected to these startups, please reach out to them directly or email contact@zahncenternyc.com for more information.

Looking to mentor our newest cohort? Find the form here.

The end of the year means were welcoming new startups for our 2019 cohort! Over the past few weeks, weve worked with expert judges–from investors to successful entrepreneurs, educators to executives–to help evaluate our entries. Zahn staff then held interviews with the top teams, and selected five semi-finalists and one alternate in each category. These startups will compete for the Kaylie Hardware Prize, the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize, and the Zahn Social Impact & Zahn Technology Prizes. Although the competition will officially kick off next semester with our bootcamp, you can meet the 24 CCNY student-led startups competing for $150K worth of prizes now! Heres a sneak peek:

Some very cool hardware startups will compete for the Kaylie Prize this year. Many of the teams in this track are born out of senior design or research projects from the School of Engineering or Architecture, and some are inspired by real-life problems people closest to them face. Startups in this cohort will develop tangible products, from medtech devices to fitness products, and will join a vibrant hardware community in NYC. From the city that gave us Makerbot, the following teams will add to the disruption:

• Adon (formerly HolesNYC): a fitness shirt that tracks muscle movement to help you achieve the best results when you lift weights
• Design & Disorder: a sleek wearable for individuals with hearing loss to help them identify the sounds around them
• Sugar-Tat: a wearable technology that monitors diabetes without having to prick your finger
• The Coach: an interactive, automated boxing device that trains you & makes working out fun
• WiseWatch: a tracking device that allows caregivers & family members to track individuals with dementia

Although our entire cohort represents 50/50 gender parity, the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize celebrates women founders specifically. This category is meant to bolster the NYC tech & entrepreneurship scene (already the best place for female founders) with even more women in c-suite positions. The startups in this category will define what Silicon Alley will be known for, and represent a variety of fields from robotics to edtech. Meet the future of NYC:

• Fruition: an app that enables students to enhance their success through personalized study plans
• Gesture-Controlled Robot: a robot controlled via hand gestures made by the user, meant to enhance quality of life for people with disabilities
• olacare (formerly Olahealth): a customizable sexual/reproductive health app for the LGBTQIA+ community
• STEM Hive: a platform for young girls to engage in STEM, receive community mentorship, and gather cryptocurrency rewards based on academic or social achievements
• Study Space (alternate): smart co-working spaces for students to improve their studying experiences 

The Zahn Social Impact Prize celebrates changemakers and aims to develop the next generation of social entrepreneurs. Many of our students–like a lot of Millennials and GenZers–are incredibly socially conscious. These startups specifically pursue entrepreneurship as a way to make the world better, and focus on issues right here at home, or abroad. From combating sexual harassment & FGC to enhancing cultural experiences & education, these startups are taking on some tough challenges:

• Beyond the Margins: bettering education for marginalized groups
• It Hurts: a local, community-driven social enterprise dedicated to eradicating female genital cutting by empowering young activists through education & art
• Rising Phoenix: an organization that aims to help survivors of sexual assault reclaim their lives
• Stage One: a locally-based patronization and discovery platform for artists

And last but not least, the Zahn Technology Prize includes mobile apps, platforms, and e-commerce sites dedicated to making tech serve people & enhance more industries. Were excited by the use of added technologies like machine learning that we'll see in this cohort! This year the startups in this category will focus on exciting industries like finance, fitness, and data. Check them out:

• MarkGen (formerly EMAC): a platform that uses machine learning tools to handle multivariate relationships to simulate market data and provide accurate risk assessments for financial products
• GetUp: an app that makes exercise fun and helps to motivate individuals to form healthy physical activity habits
• PopIt: a digital idea board that allows to organize screenshots, photos, and links in one place to better achieve goals, build skills, and learn about various topics

Once again, we're excited to see where these teams land. If you're a student who'd like to join one of these teams, please visit our “Join A Startup” form here. If you're interested in mentoring, please visit our Mentorship Page.

In case you missed it, we closed out the summer with a Fireside Chat with Howard Morgan, Co-Founder of First Round Capital & Chairman of B Capital, and pitches from the 2018 Accelerator cohort. Howard Morgan focused on the ROI of diverse investment, sharing his experiences as Philadelphia's most respected venture capitalist. When we talk about “diverse investment,” it doesn't mean keeping a diverse portfolio; it means investing in teams that are in themselves diverse. During the fireside chat, we learned how important it is to look for startups that represent diverse genders, cultures, and disciplines because diversity literally breeds innovation. Teams with diverse thoughts, experiences, and skill sets are smarter–their products & services are better–because they have a broader view of the world. “You gain from investing in diverse teams,” Howard said.

We then heard from some of our diverse teams, led by an array of individuals from different backgrounds.

FreeFoot €“ an assistive device for those with gait disorders like Foot Drop

PaxWalk €“ an app that connects college students with new friends via safe, reliable, publicly shared walking routes

Skinno €“ an app that uses machine learning to decipher skincare ingredients for consumers

Sprtlook €“ an app that connects high school athletes with coaches

UpwardAI €“ a marketing management platform that helps grassroots organizations & nonprofits grow and engage with their memberships

The reason the topic: “the ROI of diverse investment” is so important to us is because we see the validity and importance of so many of the startups we work with. Their founders are just as fantastic as the Mark Zuckerbergs of the tech world, and they need to realize that just as entrepreneurship has no mold, founders have no specific shape either. So we're calling on all of you to be purposeful about encouraging diversity in startup teams. Earlier, we wrote about how we achieved 50/50 gender parity in a short period of time. You can read more about that here, and consider how you can be thoughtful about the entrepreneurs you invest in & talk about.

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The Zahn Innovation Centers Accelerator (which currently takes place during the summer months) focuses deeply on product-market fit, coaching startups through a better understanding of their customer and the acquisition process. Our Accelerator prepares early stage startups for their next milestone events, whether its a crowdfunding campaign, investment, or acceptance into a top-tier program. Through partnerships with BNY Mellon, Wilkie Farr Gallagher, and an incredible set of mentors, startups build stronger business plans, handle legal work, and gain a better understanding of their customer metrics.

We have a unique program that de-risks startups for investors, and our approach is working. Several successful Zahn alumni include Veripad, StrongArm Technologies, and Homer Logistics.

Life is a platform that connects environmentally-conscious individuals with entrepreneurs selling green products, while also creating an online community in an Etsy meets Buzzfeed type of way.

Keenly, an app that allows individuals with social anxiety to monitor their stress levels while on outings with actual counselors, is breaking the stigma of mental health & bringing people together.

SafeSpace is an app that prevents sexual harassment and assault in party settings by allowing young people to keep track of their friends and find immediate help.

And UnitED translates school documents and homework for parents who are English language learners.

They sound like cool, new startups–and they are. But what if I told you they were started by high school girls? This summer marked the second year of our high school bridge program, and we couldnt believe the sophistication of the ideas that came out of it. #Bossgirls Bootcamp, a program sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, is designed to introduce young women to technology and entrepreneurship. The six-week program emphasizes a problem-based approach to entrepreneurship, and students participate in workshops that encourage them to not only discover solutions to problems all around them, but teach the ins and outs of running a startup. They also learn a bit of coding basics–enough to get them started on a prototype–and go out into the field to conduct in-person customer interviews. At the end of the six weeks, they present a business plan, app/website, and pitch deck.

Jana La Sorte, CEO of Ambassadora led the bootcamp, and coding workshops were led by Zahn alum Abhishek Samdaria. Shaimaa Habib (a former bossgirl) and Maleye Diakhate assisted and helped to coach the bossgirls towards the final stretch. The bossgirls were also supported by countless Standard Chartered mentors and peer mentors from Zahns startup competition.

This summer, the bossgirls focused on personal problems, and found solutions that aligned with their passions. Each year its amazing to see these students from different backgrounds and a variety of high schools come together for common causes. This summers cohort represented high schools like the Academy of Finance & Enterprise, Benjamin N. Cardozo, Brooklyn Latin, Brooklyn Tech, Bronx Science, Democracy Prep, Eleanor Roosevelt, Frederick Douglass Academy, Gregorio Luperon, NEST+M, New Rochelle, and Stuyvesant. Whats incredible is that these students now have a network that they never would have had.

The #Bossgirls Bootcamp doesnt stop over the summer. Each student is invited into a fellowship that carries into the Fall semester. Six bossgirls accepted the fellowship, and will receive personal mentorship from professionals at Standard Chartered Bank. There are also two teams continuing to develop their business through the Zahn Center–Life & SafeSpace–and we will continue to support their success.

You might be thinking, this deviates from our usual programming. So why do we do it? As part of Standard Chartereds Women in Technology incubator, were supporting women-led startups in New York City and doing our part to make sure that Silicon Alley has gender parity. Our own Kesia Hudson likes to say, I want to see more women in C-suite positions, especially here in New York. Thats part of what we do here–were creating female leaders in New York–and in our eyes, theres no better place to start than with the next generation.

We start recruitment for Summer 2019s #Bossgirls Bootcamp soon, so if you know someone who might be interested, you can email katherine@zahncenternyc.com to request more information until the application is ready.

Last week we concluded the Career Impact Program with Communitas America with a finale event where we heard from the students who interned for social enterprises and non-profits throughout the city. Matthew Washington, Deputy Manhattan Borough President, spoke at the event. For him, internships were an invaluable aspect of his life, and those experiences got him to where he is today. But Matthew didnt pursue any internships, he was drawn towards internships that made a difference in the community, and now hes representing his own.

Growing up wasnt easy, he went on to explain; his father died at the ripe age of thirty-three, leaving his mother to raise five children on her own. My mom became a single parent with five black kids in a poor neighborhood. I could have been every statistic. Thankfully, my mother wasnt having that. Matthew recalls that his mother ingrained in him the importance of investing in your education and your future. During high school, he interned at LEAP, an organization that brings art into the classroom. They offered him a job after that, and he continued to work after school and during the summers. He was able to buy his first pair of jeans, and get through college.

When Matthew graduated college, he visited his old supervisor and they hired him on the spot. They needed someone to manage a program for kids in the park, and as a result, his job required him to work with elected officials in the local area. One of those elected officials happened to be Gale Brewer, who became the Manhattan Borough President in 2015. So my high school internship literally led me to where I am today, he said.

Matthew went on to say, Throughout my career, I was interested in learning everything. I knew the organization I worked for was advocating for bigger things, and I wanted to be a part of what was happening. We need young people like you who stand up and say they want to invest their time in something.

This summer, CCNY students invested their time in a number of different organizations creating change in fields like education, economics, energy, entrepreneurship, and much more. We heard from four of those students. The first was Jocelyn Gao, a CCNY student in the MPA program who interned at Echoing Green. At Echoing Green she worked on content creation, event support, data analysis, and partnership cultivation, and was incredibly inspired by the social entrepreneurs she met during the summer. While she considers herself a lifelong student, shes passionate about creating some change in the world, and hopes to make in impact in the fields of womens and minority rights, youth education, and the environment.

Kartikeya Sharma, who interned with Bootstraps Film, was up next. This summer, Kartikeya worked on a docu-series following a study on Universal Basic Income. The goal was to spread awareness about UBI and how it can be utilized. Kartikeya specifically created a tool to understand and visualize the struggles of different individuals that was dependent on over 12,000 applications–the data, as we can imagine, was something that had to be managed. Through this internship, Kartikeya learned that UBI can be beneficial in helping society transition the future, and credits this internship as a way to really understand the social enterprise culture. Kartikeya believes that theres no better way to use your skills than for a social purpose.

Then, Hugo Meza spoke about his internship at Yada. He was the only intern working on a team directly with the CEO and CTO of the startup. Yada aims to create a scalable workforce of research assistants augmented by software & AI. This was Hugos first internship, and he couldnt believe how different the startup world is compared to the corporate world. He learned a lot this summer because he was able to manage his own projects, and he learned all about algorithmic thinking.

Finally, Asia Johnson spoke about her experiences at BlocPower. She revealed that she was attracted to the internship because its a social enterprise company–she believes its essential to work for a company whose mission is aligned with your passions. At BlocPower, Asia used data to contact building owners and make recommendations about how to make buildings more efficient. She also put together an impact report, created social media posts, and worked on case studies. Asia learned a lot at her internship including time management, editing, and how to craft the perfect tone of voice, but the most valuable thing she learned is how important it is to take care of the earth we have now. She stressed that the tiniest bit of effort can go a long way.

We hope that if youre a student and youre reading this, you keep Asias and Matthews words in mind and remember that the time and effort you invest in yourself–and in organizations that matter–will go a long way to creating a brighter future.

Wed like to specifically thank William Poon, Director of Strategy at Communitas America, for making these internships possible for CCNY students. Hes optimistic about the future these students will create, and said, “We're excited to see the next generation of Changemakers in New York explore and gain experience working alongside social ventures. We're grateful to all the partners that made this possible and look forward to seeing how these students change the world in the coming years.”

Our exciting partnership with Communitas America continues to train CCNY students for careers in social impact. Earlier this summer, we hosted seventeen CCNY students for a two-day, immersive, social impact training seminar. In addition, ten students were placed in paid summer internships with social enterprises throughout the NYC area.

At the immersive training seminar, students discussed why pursuing a profession in social impact is so vital, especially today. Those in attendance learned about what it means to be a social entrepreneur, and how they can succeed in social impact-related careers. On the first day, the participants studied cases involving Uncharted Play and Toms, and heard from Amer Jandali, the US Head of Operations at Dopper. The second day began with an exercise out of Echoing Greens Work on Purpose, which challenges participants to define their passion by examining tangible skills along with personal virtues. That day, they heard from Ben Chase, Managing Director of IDEO.orgs Equity Practice, and discussed a case study on differing ridesharing services Uber and Careem.

Ten students took what they learned from the seminar into their internships, and theyre now creating impact in their own ways at various New York social enterprises. Learn more about the organizations below, and how CCNY students are gaining career experience in interesting fields.

Be Social Change

The mission at Be Social Change is to help people find + do purposeful work, connect with like-minded people, and lead socially-conscious lifestyles. Be Social Change does this through weekly workshops, monthly events, and resources such as a weekly events guide and jobs board that help people plugin or transition into the social impact space. Oluwafunmilayo Agoro, a freshmen studying biomedical engineering is an intern at Be Social Change helping with various projects.

Pale Blue Dot Media

Pale Blue Dot Media is a production company based in New York City. They focus on stories at the intersection of human rights and environmental issues, but will tackle any subject with a compelling narrative and end-goal of contributing to the greater good. Current projects include: BOOTSTRAPS – a doc series about universal basic income, STORY OF PLASTIC – a feature doc about the global cycle of plastic production, consumption, and disposal, and THE RELUCTANT RADICAL – a feature doc about the climate crisis and the use of non-violent civil disobedience.

Kartikeya Sharma, a sophomore studying computer science, works as a data scientist for Bootstraps Film.

BlocPower

BlocPower is a clean energy startup that provides engineering, financing, and project implementation services for green building retrofits that save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve health and create local employment opportunities in low-to-moderate income communities. Asia Johnson, a Masters student studying Communications, is a marketing intern at BlocPower.

Civic Hall

Civic Hall is a one-of-a-kind innovation center for civic tech innovators. Located in NYC, it provides a space to share knowledge, build tools and solve problems together. Erika Santos, a senior studying public policy and international relations, is a special programs intern at Civic Hall this summer.

Echoing Green

Echoing Green identifies tomorrows transformational leaders today. Through its Fellowships and other innovative leadership initiatives, Echoing Green spots emerging leaders and invests deeply in their success to accelerate their impact.

Echoing Green has been ahead of the curve for more than 30 years, supporting visionaries around the world who are transforming economies, and pursuing racial and gender equity, environmental sustainability, and more. Echoing Greens unparalleled community of talent consists of more than 700 innovators who have launched Teach For America, City Year, One Acre Fund, SKS Microfinance, Public Allies, and more. The organization provides seed-funding and leadership development to a new class of Fellows every year and welcomes them into its lifelong community of leaders.

Echoing Green accelerates talent that will change the world for the better. Jocelyn Gao works as a search and selection intern at Echoing Green, helping them to identify this talent. Shes a public administration grad student.

SecondMuse

SecondMuse builds purpose-driven networks using innovation to tackle the complex challenges of our time – in communities, cities and countries around the world. They help organizations solve systems-level grand challenges, governments more effectively utilize their resources and connect with citizens, and corporations leverage their strengths and break silos to solve complex problems. They have implemented projects across six continents for clients such as IKEA, Intel, NASA, Nike, USAID, New York City Economic Development Corporation, The World Bank, the US Department of State, The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the City of Melbourne.

Mariama Wilson, a senior studying electrical engineering, is a Cities Intern at SecondMuse this summer.

Teach For America

TFA is a diverse network of leaders who confront educational inequity through teaching and work with unwavering commitment from every sector of society to create a nation free from this injustice. As a collective force€”educators, advocates, entrepreneurs, policymakers, community members€”Teach for America fights for the aspirations of students and families. Their aim is to realize the day when every child has an equal opportunity to learn, grow, influence, and lead.

Michael Borrello, a junior chemical engineering major, is a podcast and video intern at Teach for America.

ThinkEco

ThinkEco is a NYC-based, Internet-of- Things (IoT) technology company, providing easy-to-use energy efficiency solutions for utilities, enterprises, and homes. They are the innovators behind Con Edison’s SmartAC program (www.conedsmartac.com), which is one of the country’s largest demand response programs focused on residential customers. Their novel approach to energy management has been featured in local and national media, including the New York Times, CBS News, the Today Show, the Wall Street Journal, and has garnered numerous awards for its pioneering work in energy efficiency, including Alliance to Save Energy’s Star of energy Efficiency.

Emmanuil Simkhayev, a senior studying computer science, is a software developer at ThinkEco for the summer.

Veripad

Veripad is a social impact tech company looking to improve access to high quality medications in underserved communities by providing a cost-effective and easy-to-use platform to chemically authenticate medicines. Tala Azar, a senior biomedical engineering major, works on a variety of projects at Veripad including B2B sales, marketing, and social network mapping.

Yada

Yada is a scalable workforce of research assistants, augmented by software and AI. Accessible via chat anytime, we process all of the manual data tasks that burden sales and marketing teams today (e.g. online research, lead generation, data cleaning, etc.). Hugo Meza, a computer engineering major, is a software engineering intern for the summer.

To learn more about these incredible organizations, follow their title links. Communitas America and the Zahn Innovation Center are proud to be able to place changemakers within the vast realm of social innovation.

Students at City College have an opportunity to create social impact through many activities on campus. Were excited to announce a new partnership with Communitas America which will train our students for social impact careers, and place a few in paid internships with world-renowned social enterprises. Through this summer program, our students will not only gain invaluable career experience by working at social impact organizations and social enterprises in the NYC area, but theyll understand the foundations of building a career in the social impact sector through a series of skill-building workshops.

The program will kick off with a two-day intensive training seminar, open to all students at CCNY. Participating students will learn about the field of social innovation, and explore what it takes to build a career around their personal sense of purpose. Theyll also learn valuable skills to be successful  in a social impact-driven career, like impact measurement and growth hacking. The seminar will feature interviews and discussion with leaders in the space, including Ben Chase, Managing Director of IDEO.orgs Equity Practice.

This program was developed in partnership with Communitas America, a social impact firm that supports changemakers creating innovative solutions to solve social problems in underserved communities. Communitas America encourages changemakers and social entrepreneurs to further their missions.

Communitas Americas vision aligns with the outlook of the majority of Millennials and Generation Z. A recent report conducted by Deloitte found that less than half of Millennials and Gen-Zers believe businesses behave ethically, or that business leaders are committed to helping improve society. Millennials seek more than financial gain from their career choices, but overall fulfillment. Another article suggests that they see jobs as a route to exploring their passions, hobbies, and philosophies. With this program, we hope to give CCNY students a pathway towards a rewarding, purpose-driven career in social impact.

Once the internship matching process wraps up, well share a little bit more about where students are working and what theyll focus on throughout the summer. In the meantime, if you know a CCNY student who would like to take part in the two-day seminar, please direct them to the signup link.

We told you the excitement wouldnt stop at the Final Pitch! Today, were thrilled to announce the ten startups that will participate in our Summer Accelerator:

Among Allies €“ a nonprofit organization that helps victims of workplace sexual harassment find resources and offers workshops on the topic for small businesses

CakeWLK €“ an app that connects college students with new friends via safe, reliable, publicly shared walking routes

Exostride €“ an exoskeletal knee augmentation to reduce workplace knee injuries & fatigue

FreeFoot €“ an assistive device for those with gait disorders like Foot Drop

Khamis + Co €“ an app that connects like-minded individuals to travel together

Listen! €“ a nonprofit organization building an e-learning tool that uses gamification to teach basic vocabulary and language for children in refugee camps

Skinno €“ an app that uses machine learning to decipher skincare ingredients for consumers

Sporta €“ a centralized platform to connect leagues, teams, and players

Sprtlook €“ an app that connects high school athletes with coaches

WebNest €“ a marketing management platform that helps grassroots organizations & nonprofits grow and engage with their memberships

During the Accelerator, each startup will receive a $10,000 stipend so that at least two members from each team can dedicate 40 hours a week to the program. This is made possible by a generous sponsorship from CCNY alum Howard Morgan, Co-Founder of First Round Capital. Startups will work towards individual milestones with specific end goals that could include acceptance into a top tier accelerator program or seed/angel round investment. Theyll receive access to expert mentors and will gain introductions to closed-door meetings with senior advisors, investors, and business partners specifically chosen to meet their needs.

There will also be an educational component to the program in the form of daily workshops, as well as tailored consulting from Zahn staff. Startups will spend the summer conducting further market research and finishing their prototypes, all while developing a clearer understanding of their business from a financial perspective. Each team will receive individual help applying for grants, contracts, and other competitions. Experts from BNY Mellon, Wilkie Farr, and Google will mentor startups throughout the program.

The Accelerator kicks off the week of June 11th with investigative meetings with investors. If you'd like to be a part of that, please email katherine@zahncenternyc.com with your interest.

Well share their progress live on social media throughout the summer, so make sure you follow us @ZahnCenterNYC for updates!

Almost 200 students, faculty, staff, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, mentors, sponsors, and family members watched in awe as eight startups gave it their all and pitched for the chance to win the grand prizes in each of our four competition categories. To us, everyone was a winner last night. And as Standard Chartered Bank's CEO Torry Berntsen put it last night: “Your dreams are never-ending.”

But, there can only be four grand prize winners. It is with great excitement that I announce the top startups in each category:

Kaylie Prize:

FreeFoot, an assistive device for those with gait disorders like foot drop, won the Kaylie Prize for $50,000. This prize is part of an endowment sponsored by City College alum Harvey Kaylie, founder of Mini Circuits. The FreeFoot team is made up of mechanical engineering students Jade Ardinez and Winnie Ngo, and biochemistry student Anwar Jammal. Jade was inspired by one of her family members who suffers from foot drop to create a solution for this issue. With $50,000, FreeFoot will adjust their prototype based on the customer feedback they've received and conduct more trials.

Zahn Social Impact Prize:

FloraMind, a mental health curriculum for high school students to promote self-care and break the stigma around mental health, won the grand prize for this category, also sponsored by the Moxie Foundation. The FloraMind team is made up of CCNY undergrads Khandker Ahamed, a digital product marketing major; Mahmoud Khedr, an applied psychcology major; and Danny Tsoi, an economics major. Theyre helping teens understand mental health, learn how to identify warning signs, and build resilience through workshops and well-being exercises. The $25,000 will be used to develop more workshops and educational tools to reach more classrooms. Read more about FloraMind here.

Standard Chartered Women + Tech4NYC Prize:

CakeWLK, an app that connects college students with new friends via safe, reliable, publicly shared walking routes, won first place in this category and $25,000. The track, sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, encourages women-led technology ventures to create solutions for issues in urban environments. The CakeWLK is made up of Ashia Nagi, a junior studying applied mathematics at CCNY; and CUNY students Estefanía Barrón, computer science & Frances Shnaidman, a computer science and journalism major. The prize money will help them finish development of their app. Read more about CakeWLK here.

Zahn Technology Prize:

Skinno, an app that deciphers skincare ingredients for consumers won the grand prize of $25,000 for this category, sponsored by the Moxie Foundation. The Skinno team is made up of Lisa Guerrera, a recent CCNY grad pursuing her Masters in cosmetic engineering at Manhattan College; Christina Torres, a Masters biology student at CCNY; Sumali Dey, a sociology & pre-law student at CCNY; and David Murphy, a computer science major. They all have a passion for science communication, and want to empower consumers to make informed decisions. They'll continue to gather beta testers so that they have enough data for their machine learning technology. Read more about Skinno here.

These winning startups were chosen by four separate panels of elite judges, one for each track. Read more about our panels of judges here.

We are so thankful for those who joined us in supporting these outstanding startups last night (and for those who were there in spirit!). In the upcoming months, well work closely with these startups to maintain goals and meet specific milestones. We cannot wait to share their progress with you, but in the meantime, check back next week for some exciting news about our Summer Accelerator!

We always say to our startups: our job is to make the judges job difficult. This quote sums up the time each track chair and mentor puts into priming every one of our startups for Demo Day and the Final Pitch.

Every year, the competition gets closer and the judges deliberations get more complicated. This year, weve gathered a powerhouse team to evaluate the 2018 Cohort. On Demo Day, investors, entrepreneurs, educators, public officials, and experts in a variety of fields met with each semi-finalist and carefully decided who would move on to the Final Pitch. They included, listed by track:

The Kaylie Prize:

1. Joe Barba, Director of Student Entrepreneurship & Engineering Professor, CCNY
2. Katey Metzroth, Director, 2M Cities & Lead, Futureworks Incubator
3. Maggie Tishman, Director, Bronx Innovation Factory

The Zahn Social Impact Prize:

1. Kyungsun Chung, Founder, Root Impact
2. Stephanie Fernandez, Education Assistant Policy Analyst, NYCs Mayors Office
3. Engjell Latollari, Programs Coordinator, Echoing Green

The Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize:

1. Amy Chen, Director of Entrepreneurship Programs, NYC Media Lab
2. Camilla Uden, Treasurer, Zoetis
3. Matthew Washington, Deputy Borough President, Office of the Manhattan Borough President

The Zahn Technology Prize:

1. Arber Ruci, Entrepreneur in Residence, NSFs I-Corps
2. Sandy Wollman, Co-Founder, Westchester Angels
3. Kim Yarnell, Global Marketing Solutions, Facebook

On Thursday, the finalist teams will meet more investors from First Round Capital, Golden Seeds, Republic.co, and Accelerate NY Seed Fund; experts from the Moxie Foundation, Standard Chartered Bank, Acumen, ELab, and the Cordes Foundation; as well as educators from CCNY, founders, and experts in law.

Together, theyll consider how developed each teams product/service is, their pathway to long-term sustainability, and their go-to-market strategy. There are also specific requirements for each of the four categories, so weve assembled four separate panels of experts€“one for each track€“to evaluate the 18 teams.

The Kaylie Prize was developed and sponsored by CCNY Alum Harvey Kaylie, Founder of Mini-Circuits. This category celebrates all things hardware, and qualified startups are building physical products that may or may not include a connected (smart) technology. This year, we chose judges with a vast knowledge of engineering. They include:

• Gilda Barabino, Dean, Grove School of Engineering at CCNY
• George Gerstman, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP
• Mary Howard, Program Manager, ELabNYC

The Zahn Social Impact Prize is developed and sponsored by the Moxie Foundation. This category acts as a catalyst for the spread of social entrepreneurship on campus, and encourages students to develop a global perspective on impact. Startups in this category were challenged to build ventures with a sustainable revenue model, whose primary objective is social change or environmental stewardship. They may pursue either a nonprofit or for-profit model, and the judges are advisors and investors for social enterprises.

• Eric Stephenson, Portfolio Director, Cordes Foundation
• Peter Zahn, President, Moxie Foundation
• Yasmina Zaidman, Chief Partnerships Officer, Acumen

The Standard Chartered Women + Tech4NYC Prize is sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank as part of the Women in Technology Incubator at the Zahn Center. This year, the category celebrates the role of women in building Silicon Alley. Startups were challenged to leverage technology to address challenges in New York City. By nature, many of the startups in this category have a social impact mission at their core, and may consider nonprofit status in the future. This years panel of judges is dedicated to keeping their city on the cutting edge, with expertise in investments, finance, and crowdfunding.

• Trish Sullivan, Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Europe & the Americas, Standard Chartered Bank
• Emily Susskind, Managing Director, Golden Seeds
• Kim Wales, Founder, CrowdBureau

The Zahn Technology Prize is also sponsored by the Moxie Foundation. Startups in this category were challenged to develop ventures that use technology to solve problems otherwise untouched. Their products include transformative new apps, web platforms, database tools, or e-commerce sites. This year, we chose judges with a vast knowledge of the latest technologies. Some work directly in the tech field, while others have been long-time investors of technology ventures. They include:

• Noel Goddard, Principal, Accelerate NY Seed Fund
• Howard Morgan, Co-Founder, First Round Capital
• Chuck Pettid, Partner, Republic.co

Together, these judges will decide the fate of 18 startup teams, and decide the two finalists in each category€“who will then pitch again on Thursday, May 3rd for a chance at first and second place prizes totaling $150,000.

On Thursday, well also learn which startups were our audiences choices on Monday, and who will join us this summer in our Accelerator. Follow the action live on Twitter at @ZahnCenterNYC

Were still feeling excitement from yesterday's Demo Day. Hundreds of supporters visited CCNY startups as they shared their MVPs and prototypes with the community.

Startups seen yesterday have developed their ideas in our Lean Startup Bootcamp for the past semester, and Demo Day marked the first of two events that will determine which teams win prize money totaling $150,000. While the fun was happening outside on campus, judges carefully deliberated inside. The pressure was on. After much thought, the judges selected two teams from each of the four categories €“ hardware, social impact, women and tech for NYC, and technology. These eight finalist teams will pitch again in front of an audience later this week at the Final Pitch.

Our 8 finalists are€¦

The Kaylie Prize

Brystech €“ an imaging device that makes breast cancer-screening more comfortable & accessible

FreeFoot €“ an assistive device for those with gait disorders

The Zahn Social Impact Prize

FloraMind €“ mental health education curriculum for high school students to promote self-care and break the stigma around mental health

Listen! €“ a game teaches basic vocabulary and language structure for children in refugee camps

The Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize

Among Allies €“ a platform that helps victims of workplace sexual harassment find resources while also helping companies establish safer workplace environments

CakeWLK €“ an app that connects college students with new friends via safe, reliable, publicly shared walking routes

The Zahn Technology Prize

Fare €“ a driver-focused intuitive taxi demand prediction model

Skinno €“ an app to decipher skincare ingredients for consumers

To support your team and find out who takes home the grand prizes, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@ZahnCenterNYC) on the evening of May 3rd. Well go backstage with the startups, and announce the winners by the end of the night. Well also announce the winners that YOU selected for the Audience Choice Award, and the startups who will continue on in our Accelerator Program.

Ever wonder what its really like to be a student founder? While you get a glimpse of #StartupLife on our Instagram (@ZahnCenterNYC), its hard to imagine what goes into running a startup while youre in school. We sat down with some of our founders and talked to them about some of the challenges they face. Heres what they said:

Living in Iraq for the majority of my life, Ive always thought about the American dream. Being a student founder makes me feel fulfilled. However, it does not come without its challenges. Balancing school, work, social and startup life is very difficult and can be exhausting. Not worrying about small details and looking at the bigger picture has helped me work through the struggles of being a young entrepreneur. My main goal is to continue learning and being a part of Zahn definitely helps me with that. Although this semester has been hectic, I have gained so much knowledge and have grown more than any other time in my life.  One piece of advice I would give to young entrepreneurs is that if they are given the opportunity to be a part of a startup I would definitely do so, even if its not something you want to do as a career. – Baker Mohammed, SprtLook.

It is full of challenges, hard work, creative thinking, and self-sustainability, which are worth a lot at the end. – Enzo Ames, Sporta

The most important thing I've learned from my experiences with the Zahn Center is that you and your team need to be truly passionate about the problem you are solving. The passion is what allows you to push through all the hardships that come with starting your own business as a student, and allows your team to motivate each other. – Labiba Chowdhury, WebNest

Entering into the world of entrepreneurship has been one of the most rewarding decisions that we ever made, but it has its downsides. While putting our passion into solving our problem has taught us how to think and operate in new, exciting, and more efficient ways, we have also learned how to deal with rejection and failure on a continuous basis. That lesson is something that I believe has made us better in every facet of our lives and is something that we'll carry with us forever. – Jaret Wyatt, FreightTran

“Building a startup is an incredibly challenging and rewarding experience. A classroom setting can only teach you so much, so creating our own company allowed us to learn valuable skills and implement them immediately. It fueled our creativity, curiosity, and confidence. ” – Revi Schechter, Vesta

The biggest challenge of being a student founder is juggling a startup, classes and all my other activities. I have to prioritize what is most important for my day and my priority in life is Khamis+Co. There are so many startup founders that advise us to dropout of college as they did so that they can focus on their startups. Being City College students, I know that I can juggle my studies while growing my startup. – Raneem Elsayed, Khamis + Co

Our favorite part about the #startuplife is learning how to make our own mark on the world. – Exostride

We hope youre excited to meet these startups at Demo Day on April 30th where youll help us choose the Audience Favorites & award four startups $1,000 each! You can reserve your FREE ticket today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/zahn-center-demo-day-2018-tickets-44306150…

With Demo Day only a week away, were thrilled to introduce you to some of our startups competing this year! Remember, the power is in your hands on Demo Day. YOU decide who gets the Audience Choice Awards.

Today youll meet FloraMind, a team dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health. They're helping teens understand mental health, learn how to identify warning signs, and build resilience through workshops and well-being exercises. This seems especially important in a society categorized by mass shootings & social media-induced depression. I sat down with the FloraMind team–made up of CCNY undergrads Khandker Ahamed, a Digital Product Marketing major; Mahmoud Khedr, an Applied Psych major; and Danny Tsoi, an Economics major. This is how they got started:

Katherine Olives: So happy to get to sit down with you, FloraMind! (Love the new name.) So when you entered the competition, you were building an AI-powered app to help people cope with depression and anxiety. I'm excited to hear more about have you've re-positioned yourselves!

Mahmoud Khedr: We were trying to build a chatbot that would help individuals with depression, but since then weve pivoted–mostly by understanding the end user. There are plenty of products and services out there that help individuals overcome depression or anxiety, but theres still one major underlying issue: a lack of understanding of mental health issues. Through our research we learned that fifty percent of mental health disorders develop at age fourteen, but there isnt a curriculum around mental health. Some schools dont even have counselors on staff, and when they have counselors, these counselors are trained to help students work on their grades and pick colleges, not help them overcome mental health issues.

Danny Tsoi: We saw this as a gap–a way to give educators what they need.

MK: Theres an average of one social worker for every 600 students. We have more school security guards than that. To me, that means were very much focused on the effects of mental health disorders, rather than the cause. One in four teenagers will experience a mental health episode in a given year; one in twelve will attempt suicide. How is this happening? Schools dont invest in mental health; and some dont want to talk about it at all.

KO: Its really amazing that you've decided to tackle this problem. What makes your team so connected to it?

Khandher Ahamed: Everyone on our team has faced a mental health issue at some point in our lives. We know first hand and relate to a certain extent. We feel more and more of a need to get up and get out there and actually execute.

MK: We actually did our first workshop yesterday at Medgar Evers Prep. We wanted to start at our own high schools, so we connected with one of the teachers there and she helped us set up the event and share it with the students there.

KO: Thats awesome! What was the workshop about?

MK: We worked on the social stigma of mental health. A lot of people think mental health is a taboo subject, so this workshop was designed to break that. We discussed what you should talk about, who you should talk to, and what you should worry about when it comes to mental health.

DT: We also introduced meditation and the students loved it. Our goal is to not just educate young people about mental health, but introduce them to well-being exercises. We hope that theyll be able to recognize warning signs within themselves, their family, and friends. Itll also help them develop resilience.

KO: Did the students like it?

DT: They loved it. Its so great to know that the students were engaged and enjoyed the activity–it  means they're invested in emotional regulation.

KA: When we asked for feedback at the end, they said that the whole workshop helped them learn more and understand how to talk about these topics. It's a good feeling.

MK: Its super exciting that were getting validations from customers. The next step is to get validation from others. Were going to be in Albany this week–Thursday and Friday–for the New York State Business Plan Competition. Were competing against 120 other teams, and we're so excited to share our ideas.

KO: Im sure youll all rock it. It sounds like youre getting a lot of positive feedback–is there anything thats challenging you right now?

MK: Mental health is such a big field and a big problem–I fear that its hard for us to create impact. Theres also a lot of research that goes into trying to understand the field. None of us are psychologists. We had struggles when we were pivoting, trying to understand what individuals really needed. And of course there are challenges that come with working with best friends. Weve had to figure out what our workflow is, and how to convert from friend to team member.

KA: Another challenge is that people just dont like to talk about mental health. Its hard to stay focused on this problem when everyone keeps pushing it under the rug. Theres a huge stigma we have to break.

DT: Thats one of the reasons why we picked reducing social stigma as our first topic. Its the most difficult thing to do, but it needs to happen. You wont be open to mental health education if that stigma isnt broken first. This is where we see that we can create the most impact.

MK: We worked with twenty-two students in our first workshop, and thats twenty-two individuals who are now more open to talking about mental health. In the future wed like to engage parents and educators as well.

DT: Were stepping up and showing the value of mental health education. It's almost like this type of curriculum prepares you to be a human being. I wish I had something like this when I was in high school!

KA: Right?! High school puts a lot of pressure on you–you have to get good grades, be social, do sports, give back to your community, get into college–but no one teaches you how to deal with that pressure. As you go on in life the stress just gets worse. No ones teaching you how to deal with that. People wonder why kids resort to drugs–they end up resorting to bad habits to deal with the stress instead of developing good habits.

DT: Plus, for years now, high school students have known that getting a college degree doesnt mean that youll get a job. Thats not what our parents dealt with. Its a hard reality to face.

MK: And theyre affected by social media. High school students feel like they have to be perfect–on- and offline. Theres this notion that you have to maintain a flawless Instagram-worthy life, and this carries over into our normal lives.

KO: Kids need to have allies, but they also need to know that they are their own biggest allies. I think you're giving them the tools to understand that. I can't wait to find out how you do in Albany!

MK: Us too! We're also pitching in front of judges at Echoing Green soon–we're social innovation finalists, which means we can be fast tracked into their program.

KO: That's so exciting! We're sending all the positive vibes!

Send more positive vibes FloraMind's way by following them on Instagram @flora.mind & checking out their website. They're looking to connect with high schools, educators, and psychologists. You can meet them in person at Demo Day on Monday.

With Demo Day coming soon, wed like to introduce you to some of our startups competing for seed funding totaling $150,000. Like many of our startups, CakeWLK is using modern technology to solve a societal issue. Theyre creating a digital version of the buddy system–an app that connects college students who feel unsafe during their commute to school, or their walk from class to the dorms.

I sat down with two members of the team to talk about how they came up with this idea, and what drives their passion for advocating for safety. CakeWLK is made up of Ashia Nagi, a junior studying applied mathematics at CCNY, Saad Ahmed, a sophomore computer science major at CCNY; and CUNY students Estefanía Barrón, computer science; and Frances Shnaidman, computer science and journalism. This is how they got started:

Ashia Nagi: The funny story is that we met at Technica (an all women hackathon). Most people go to it with a team, but I ended up going alone. I was really close to not going, but something told me to try it anyway. I met Estefanía and Francis, and they proposed CakeWLK. I thought the problem behind it was so cool–we all feel unsafe sometimes, and to help think about a way to solve feeling unsafe as a college student. We met, and now were here. Even though we didnt win the hackathon, I told them about the Zahn Centers competition. We stayed up for two days, but it was all because we realized this is something that I want to pursue.

Estefanía Barrón: That hackathon was my first experience with computer science. It was super intimidating. But I had the idea for the app for awhile. I thought, what if you could find a walking buddy for your commute home? I pitched it to Francis, and then we met Ashia and it was cool to meet people that were just as passionate about it.

Katherine Olives: I mean its definitely a huge problem–I hardly ever feel safe when I walk alone. Its incredible that youre trying to tackle this issue.

AN: Theres this constant trend of people getting harassed alone and not being able to report it to school–often theres no evidence. With CakeWLK, theres proof they were walking a certain route, theres a certain record of what happened. It could be potentially helpful in situations like this. We dont want anyone to live in fear while theyre getting an education. You wouldnt believe what we found in our research–in some cases, there are more instances of crime within a campus than in the community that surrounds it. Data like that puts everything we do into perspective.

EB: I grew up in the most dangerous city in Mexico–its a place where women disappear all the time. I was not allowed to walk home from school alone (even though I only lived about two blocks away). I usually had to wait for my male cousins to pick me up and walk me home. I remember that when I was younger there was a seven year old girl who went missing and was found brutally murdered. It turns out she walked the three blocks home from school at 4pm–in broad daylight–and was never seen alive ever again. When I came here, I thought things would be different. But I often dont feel any safer in the US, a first world country. I thought to myself, if I dont do anything about this, no one else will.

KO: Wow. I don't even know what to say. You're helping so many people. Are the customers you interviewed excited?

AN: The craziest thing is that students are excited for this app. Were getting so much support. At our tabling events, students will stick around and talk about the experiences theyve had. Its inspiring.

KO: Does that keep you going?

AN: Absolutely. We get really stressed, but its the feedback from students and colleges that keeps us going. Its almost like were not in this alone. Its been so amazing. I cant describe how good that feels.

EB: I love when I get validation from people who arent students, or students who dont go to CCNY. People want to help, theyre always like let me find people for you. Its so empowering. People want it, and theyre helping us to make CakeWLK a reality.

AN: We had one meeting with a Chancellor and he connected us to someone from Duke University–everyone has been very helpful so far.

KO: It sounds like youre getting so many positive reactions! Thats so great. But there must be some challenges. Tell me about that.

AN: Its been challenging working with friends. Its hard to let people down, to give harsh criticism, because it always seems a bit personal. Plus, while a lot of the interactions weve had are positive, some of them are not. Weve had experiences working with individuals who arent as passionate as we are. I feel like when a person isnt passionate, it drags down the whole team. It creates negative energy–it makes everything harder to accomplish. Thats a hard lesson I had to learn. You might work with really talented people, but if they dont care about the problem, chances are they wont apply creativity to their work.

EB: Theres a lot of technical issues that were going through right now. My desire and ideas are bigger than my skills, so its really frustrating. I often think, I want to add this feature, but can I actually make it happen? When that happens I just say yes I want to make this happen and I will, but Im going to need a little bit of time. I cant always deliver immediately, but Ill figure it out. Fake it till you make it, right. Ive been living that motto!

AN: Hahaha exactly! Were learning as we go. Youtube is our best friend. But honestly, it shows the passion for this problem. I honestly think that we think intelligently, we figure out ways to get around obstacles, and we work with the skills we have now. And honestly, a practical education is the best way to learn coding.

KO: Thats really great advice. Many students or other young people dont think that they have the skills to become an entrepreneur. But a lot of it is a learning experience. Do you have any other advice for students?

AN: Yes! Im always giving people advice haha. Im doing things on my own, no one is guiding me, so I like to share what I learn.

KO: Give us your advice, Ashia!

AN: Okay so there are two things. In the tech realm Ive received so much backlash from my community and teachers. So many people think that your current skill set is a determining factor. Skills can be acquired. If someone is saying, Oh Im bad at Math, I shouldnt do this, thats ridiculous. Why are you in college? TO LEARN. Are you passionate about Math? That passion will see you through.

EB: My biggest piece of advice: there is a place for you. I feel like in computer science or engineering, its easy to think that you have to look a certain way or be a certain way to have a place in the classroom. There is a space for you and you deserve it as much as anyone else. More advice: remember that youre growing. Dont be someone that youre not. Skills without passion are meaningless. You cant teach someone how to feel something, its there or its not. Whatever skill you have, its going to be meaningless. Do it with your heart, do it because you feel it.

AN: I know a lot of people wont listen to us–I dont really listen to advice either because often its so abstract. You just have to experience it. We all cried a little, we drank 25 coffees in one day, we did whatever we had to do to not give up. Im not gonna give up, and neither should any of you.

KO: You here that, City College? Will you be sharing more advice at Demo Day, or just your MVP?

AN: I want people to sign up for our web app at Demo Day! If youre a college student whos excited about this idea, take part in the beta test. You can be part of the creation of CakeWLK. Besides that, were open to all feedback. Let us know what you think!

Share your thoughts with CakeWLK & sign up on their website. Youll see them at Demo Day!

With Demo Day coming up, wed like to introduce you to some of our startups competing for seed funding totaling $150,000. Many of them are using latest technologies like AI and machine learning to help solve everyday problems. Skinno, an app that translates the scientific language in skincare ingredients into common language, is trying to do just that. Theyre committed to breaking the barrier between scientific jargon and the average consumer. Their goal is to help consumers make more informed decisions about the products they purchase.

I sat down with members of the team to talk about how they came up with this idea, and why science communication is so important to them. Skinno is made up of Lisa Guerrera, a recent CCNY grad pursuing her Masters in cosmetic engineering at Manhattan College; Christina Torres, a Masters biology student at CCNY; Sumali Dey, a sociology & pre-law student at CCNY; David Murphy, a computer science major; and Bryce Halley, an economics major at CCNY who has previous startup experience. This is how they got started:

Lisa Guerrera: Its a long story; it started way back when I was doing my senior thesis on cosmetic marketing and how it exasperates chemophobia (the fear of chemicals). I thought that if people understood what was in their products, understood what the scientific jargon on the back of bottles really meant, it would help them. I thought of the idea for Skinno, but I didnt have any programming experience. Eventually I started talking to Christina (my roommate) and some of my other friends. They encouraged the two of us to enter last years Nestlé Skin Health Hackathon, and we ended up winning. Then we decided to enter the Zahn Competition.

Christina Torres: We met Bryce at an Info Session, and Lisas known David since high school. Theyve both been passionate about the idea from the beginning. Then, when we were looking for a graphic designer, we met Sumali and she just understood exactly what we were looking for.

Katherine Olives: It seems like all of you are very passionate about enhancing communication, and the problem behind Skinno. Where does this passion come from?

LG: For me its two fold. I studied Chemistry and I love skincare and science–the intersection of it is what Ive cared about for years. This is what I want to do as a career. I want to communicate science well and make it fun.

CT: I come from a Biology background. I actually study a family of beetles in the Amazon.

KO: Beetles?! Thats awesome.

CT: Haha, its pretty cool, but my passion lies in science communication, and for me its exciting to apply my technical skills to that passion. David, our developer, also has a biology background and a passion for science communication, and that was one of the things that drew him to the project.

Bryce Halley: I was going to apply to the Zahn Center last year with a different idea, but my team sort of fell apart the day the application was due because we found out that a lot of other big, public companies were tackling the same issue. Growing up in Silicon Valley, I experienced that a lot. Id think of a problem and come up with a proposed solution only to find out that everyone else was trying to do the same thing. When I heard Lisa speak about Skinno, I wanted to get on board. If we can make science easy to understand and easy to access for a large population of people, thats real impact.

LG: Sumali couldnt be here today, but shes on board because she loves skincare. The two of us struggle with acne, and we hope to make that struggle a little bit easier on everyone else.

KO: Count me in for that too! Haha but in all seriousness, theres a real opportunity for this technology to help a lot of people. Have you considered how it can be applied to other markets?

LG: This tech can definitely impact other sectors. Science jargon is what people struggle with daily–whether its in their food ingredients or skincare products, medicines–people make assumptions, they could be right or wrong, but the best way to combat incorrect assumptions is accurate education. I think the next sector that we could go into is marketing. Marketing lingo means a lot of things, but its not something thats concrete. For example, the word natural is unregulated and doesnt always mean what we think it means. If we can put a definition to it, then that would help people make smarter purchases. I also think it could work in legal language, think of all the privacy statements & agreements we encounter on an everyday basis. Who really reads it? And why dont we? Because we cant understand half of it.

KO: Exactly–Im thinking about everything thats happening with Facebook right now, and how much information we give away when legal language isnt always clear.

CT: Watching the testimonies was pretty funny because it all reeked of tech communication problems on both sides–the consumers dont understand that theyre giving up their personal information and privacy, and on the other side, our government doesnt seem to understand how this technology works. It just showed that theres such a need for this. Even though were in skincare, theres such a need for this in so many areas. Wed avoid a lot of the issues were facing today if things could be easily translated.

LG: Weve seen this problem personally with influencers, who were using in our own marketing. One of them told us that she was working with a company who gave her certain language to use, but it was loaded with jargon that most people wouldnt understand. She was told to put it into her own words, but she didnt understand it either, and her YouTube video tanked. I also have ridiculous allergies, so Im always reading the ingredients on everything and sometimes I miss something because its called a different name. Its hard to keep track of.

KO: I bet! Its amazing that youre working on this, trying to solve a big issues. But there must be challenges along the way. Tell me a little bit about what youve faced so far.

LG: The biggest challenge so far is automating it all–and were in the process of doing that. No one has ever automated this task. Skincare has by nature become a citizens science project. We want to make sure that our technology becomes a cheap, automated service for everyone, and its big process.

CT: Its funny because with science communication, you think of a teacher breaking things down for you in a personalized way. Automation is kind of counter intuitive. So its been a challenge to create a happy medium between personalization and automation. But one of the best things weve learned is sometimes communicating with symbols is easier than finding words. Symbols are more universal.

LG: Because beauty tech is a somewhat new industry–there are many technological advances in beauty, but beauty hasnt been innovated by digital tech. Were on the first wave, and because there arent a lot of companies out there doing something like this, we dont have much to reference. So when we have questions about how to price things, who are customers are, we have to really start from scratch. The industry is also more closed than others because its so competitive. Not many people want to help you out or talk to you about things. But again, were overcoming all that.

KO: Ill say! Youre really doing great things! You got into JLABS–tell me more about how thats been.

LG: There have been so many benefits that came with being a part of JLABS. We applied before the Zahn competition started, so it meant that we had to incorporate very early, and we had to get a lot done in a short period of time. We learned a lot about ourselves as a company, and it accelerated us. A lot of people told us that it was too early for us to apply, but we decided to anyway, and so far its been amazing. The whole experience made us a lot more confident.

KO: I love that you just went ahead and applied. Thats great advice for anyone whos questioning themselves. Do you have any other advice for young entrepreneurs?

CT: Talk to everyone! Dont be afraid to talk to people, and like we say, always be pitchin. You have to talk to people about what youre working on. Collaboration is key–one person doesnt create things alone. You never know who might have a solution for you, a different perspective.

LG: Thats represented in our team. Were all multi-disciplined and come from different backgrounds. We built our team by sharing our idea with strangers. Another piece of advice I have is to stay organized. You can go to school, work, and start a business. You can do it all, but you have to stay organized.

BH: My advice is, if its important to you, make sure that you never have a zero day. Get something done everyday, dont waste your time.

David Murphy: And maximize the little time you have–I listen to podcasts that teach me things between commutes. You can also take advantage of free resources to help you when youre stuck. There is so much content on YouTube.

LG: Go to ALL the events! Even if you feel like you dont belong there, make yourself feel like youre allowed to be in that space. Everyone in that space had to build themselves up at some point, just remember that.

CT: Talk to the most important person in the room, youd be surprised by how many people are interested in what youre working on.

BH: And its important to ask for feedback and contact information. You might get denied, but there are so many mentors that have worked with us because weve asked for their emails.

LG: Mentors are key. The Nestlé Skin Health team has been a wealth of resources and knowledge. Theyre experts in the field, theyve given us space at their offices to work out of. That support has been life changing. Weve also been introduced to great mentors at the Zahn Center, Josh Lucido from Matter VC always gives us extra help and follows up when we ask him questions. And Devin [Voorsanger] too, even if hes about to walk out the door, hell give you time in front of the whiteboard.

KO: Thats awesome. Sometimes it can be nerve-wracking to meet with mentors because they have so much experience, but theyre always willing to help. You never know what youll learn. So before we wrap up–I have to ask–how excited are you for Demo Day?

LG: Were very excited about Demo Day because were going to show everyone what weve been working on. Well have a working prototype and an MVP, and were excited to have everyone test it out!

CT: In the meantime, were encouraging individuals to sign up to be beta testers. We want everyone to use it, even if you dont use skincare currently. Were hoping it will open others up to using skincare and exploring what it can do for you.

If youre an IOS user & want to become a beta tester, sign up now on Skinnos website. Be sure to check out this team at Demo Day on April 30th from 12-2pm outside of the NAC at CCNY!

With Demo Day coming soon, wed like to introduce you to some of our startups competing for seed funding totaling $150,000. Some of our startups are using cool technologies like AR/VR, machine learning, and big data to empower everyday entrepreneurs. Thats what Fare, an app designed to help hardworking cab drivers better predict demand, is all about.

I sat down with two members of the team to talk about how they came up with this idea, and what they think the future will look like (we talked robots) in this blog. Fare is made up electrical engineering students King Crawford & Michael McIntosh and computer engineering student Sarena Tran (whos father is a yellow cab driver). This is how they got started:

Michael McIntosh: It started out as a concept that I had thought about during an AI class. We were studying bio-inspired algorithms and particles swarm optimization. Its all about how flocks of birds find food. Initially I thought the algorithm would be able to locate and distribute taxi cabs in a city. I wondered how would you distribute them in a space so theyd all have the most chance of meeting demand.

At first it was just an idea, but then I started to think how can we actually do that? They say autonomous vehicles are still 15 years out, but this would be a great technology for them. But it can help the current taxi industry. Taxi drivers have been hurt a lot by services like Uber and Lyft. How can we create something that helps them, and also work with all of this data?

King Crawford: So he approached me and told me about this idea. It was first for senior design–it seemed timely and it was interesting material to explore on the technology side of it. Plus, I started working at Bustrek around that time. Its a special group at the MTA that writes the software the bus drivers use to route busses in the city, so I had some experience in the area of transportation. We write the software that the bus drivers use to route busses and how they run.

MM: We had taken this idea into senior design, and when Lindsay came and spoke to our class, I realized that the Zahn Center was the resource that we needed to get this off the ground, build it, and understand it. Thats when we applied to the competition. It was the perfect fit.

Katherine Olives: Thats awesome–it sounds like you really fell in love with a problem.

MM: We definitely did. And we love learning more about this problem, but its so hard to talk to people sometimes–it can be really nerve-wracking. Weve spoken to a bunch of Uber drivers and yellow cab drivers, and we even went to a garage a couple of weeks ago. A couple of the drivers were skeptical and not so open to talking to us in the beginning, but once we spoke to some of the dispatchers and well-respected people there, they all saw that they could trust us.

You definitely have to approach it a certain way, say were engineers working on tools, we know things, were students, so they know we can talk to about this problem and we want to work on it. Theres definitely a wall at first. We were using that garage as a practice, but they quickly let us in, and they gave us a lot of contacts.

KC: But there were definitely some surprises–or validations wrapped in surprises. When we asked them questions about what they need and what they were looking for, theyd almost give us our idea. But then their imagination went a little further, and they started talking about things that we couldnt deliver based on current technology. What it did prove was their willingness to accept a technological solution for this problem.

KO: Is that a major concern? That drivers just wont want to use technology to solve this issue?

MM: Its definitely something we think about. Some drivers say that they wouldnt need this because there are people everywhere. But then when they start talking, they say things like they never know whether they should turn left or right. They want to know where the customers are and if theyre there. They want us to predict with 100% accuracy. We know that the problem is now real, and we didnt just make it up. Now were thinking of how wed market it.

KC: We also need to know how we can build that trust and show them this tool is useful to them so that they have a desire for it. Its more than just a tech challenge.

MM: Right now were thinking well have to market it to new and younger drivers who dont have any specific habits yet.

KC: And maybe years down the line, after building relationships with drivers, wed break into the autonomous market. But right now were concerned about making this working for people.

MM: Exactly. If we can figure out a way to take what we have and empower medallion owners to get into the autonomous game–because people are going to be responsible for these autonomous vehicles, theyll need trainers, garages still–and help them through this process of transition, thats our main goal. Of course, should the autonomous market come in to play.

KO: Right. We definitely grew up imagining flying cars–but well have to see how soon autonomous vehicles actually become a normal part of life.

KC: Beneath it all, the main idea is to enhance human life.

KO: Im hoping robots will do just that!

KC: Hahaha maybe!

KO: Before we get into a discussion about the future of robots, Ill let you both get back to work. Were all super excited about Demo Day. Is there anything you want readers to know before we see you there?

MM: By Demo Day we hope to have users testing out the platform. We want to have our business plan formalised and in a deliverable form, and were still looking for interviews. We want to talk to as many people as possible and get yellow cab drivers. So if you know anyone, send them to us!

You can reach the Fare team at fare@zahncenternyc.com . Dont miss them at Demo Day–make sure to RSVP here!

With Demo Day only about a month away, wed like to introduce you to some of our startups competing for seed funding totaling $150,000. Many of our startups are pursuing the fields of medtech & biotech, and theyre inspired by their love of science and engineering to create solutions to real-world problems.

In this blog youll meet one of those startups, Brystech, a team creating a device that makes breast cancer screenings not only more accessible, but wayyy more comfortable. Brystech is made up of senior biomedical engineering students Jemimah Aslarona, Tala Azar, Alex Chalco, Merin Sabu, and Kiara Smith. This is how they got started:

Jemimah Aslarona: Last summer, Kiara, Tala, and I were part of a competition at Coulter College for rising BME seniors. We were given a prompt–bridging gaps in disparities in breast cancer incidents and mortalities–half of the summer to research it, and at the beginning of August, we went to Atlanta to attend a 3-day incubator program to come up with a solution for the problem prompt.

Katherine Olives: And you all worked together on this?

JA: We were expected to work with only students from our school, but we were on a team with others. Everyone started with the same prompt, and all of us were from very different urban and rural areas, and surprisingly, we all came up with the same notion: no matter where they live, women are not getting detection or screening processes enough.

Tala Azar: The reason women werent getting screened really depended on where they were, whether they had health insurance, or if could take off of work to go get screened. We realized that we could create a device to mitigate this issue.

JA: The device we were working on now was from my group–we won the pitch for that competition. Come the beginning of our senior year, that idea stuck with us, and even though we all have different senior design projects, we thought we should enter this into the Venture Competition at the Zahn Center.

Merin Sabu: We realized this is a social problem and thought, lets try to solve it. The three of us kind of spontaneously started talking about it, we talked about it in a Shake Shack, actually, and we got enthusiastic about it. Thats how Brystech was born. We applied, we got in, and here we are.

KO: And how far along are you? Are you working on the prototype now?

Alex Chalco: Currently were building the first aspect of the device, its an inflatable version that uses an ultrasound transducer. It provides the needed pressure to take an image without the pain. The device will image the breast tissue for any abnormality.

KO: Without the pain? Thats a huge step up from current practices.

JA: Exactly. Womens health isnt well-funded or well-researched in my opinion. One of the women we interviewed actually said to us that if a woman had invented the mammogram machine, it would be more comfortable. With medicine still a male-dominated industry, there havent been a lot of innovations around womens healthcare. Were trying to change that and build something that has more of a natural shape.

Kiara Smith: But possibly the biggest reason that we need to make this happen is to make breast screening more accessible. You cant just go to any doctor to get a mammogram, you have to go to a facility with the machine. Often, women have to go to their physician first, then get recommended, then theyre sent somewhere else, then they finally schedule the exam. For example, people Ive spoken to who live in Maine have to travel hours to get mammograms. By bringing the device to primary care physicians and OB GYNs, you can get scanned there during a routine visit.

KO: It sounds like youre getting a lot of research done and you really know your audience. Has it been difficult to get customer interviews?

MS: When we started interviewing, we went to users, women who we thought would be getting screened. We targeted women from age 20 and up, and one of the most difficult things was not knowing what responses wed get. I had no idea how open individuals would be, but it got easier. Most women were easy to talk to and more open to us, but we realized through our user research we should be talking to physicians and OB GYNs too. We need to talk to doctors, theyre the ones who have been conducting exams, and theyll eventually purchase our device.

TA: The main reason we talked to women first is because we wanted to learn why they werent getting mammograms. We found out that many people didnt know alternatives to breast cancer screenings, and when they did, they werent readily available.

MS: When I talked to women above the age of 20, they didnt know what they were looking for in a self-exam. And honestly, it didnt matter if that person had a PhD or a high school education, none of them felt like they were knowledgeable enough.

TA: We interviewed a lot of health clinics and people from lower income backgrounds, and we learned that its hard to take days off to go get a mammogram, especially if youre working for an hourly wage. For whatever reason, the roles of a woman in a family, its hard for women to put their health first. They put off going to the clinic or physician, and were trying to make it easier for them.

KS: However, we noticed that if they had a family history or a personal experience with breast cancer, they were more likely to get screened. But still, those individuals might stop going regularly. I had an aunt that passed away from breast cancer. She used to get screened for it regularly, but then she stopped, she just figured that it would be fine, but then she was diagnosed with Stage Four.

MS: Many of my friends moms had breast cancer–they were getting regularly screened, and because of early detection, they were able to catch it. Granting better access to all women could mean a longer life.

KO: Your mission is truly inspiring, and to be honest, all of you are inspiring. Its not easy to be a woman in STEM (and Alex, I know youre not a woman but Im glad youre an ally and honestly STEM isn't easy period). Do you have advice for other young women, or young people in general pursuing a career in STEM?

JA: Personally I would say, broaden your horizons, were bio-engineers, were jacks of all trades, we learn a little bit of everything, but you never know what youll like until you try it. Even just stepping out of your comfort zone a bit–if you want to pursue STEM, try to be as well-rounded as you can. Ive had internships that werent in this field and Ive added those skills to my resume.

TA: For me it was important to find people who are working in this field, I used to go to panels and talks so that I could explore all of my options. Finding ways to pursue what you want is important.

MS: Talking to people and getting involved is a big deal. You never know how others points of view will spark an idea of your own.

AC: Make a lot of friends because they help out. Its hard to do this on your own, and its helpful to think about new angles and new perspectives–parts of life that you didnt know before.

KS: Be open to new opportunities. If something comes your way, be open to trying it out, because you never know where itll take you.

KO: I love it! Now I promise Ill let you get back to work…. But first–are you excited for Demo Day?

JA: We are, but were nervous about getting our device done. Were excited to meet people, get our name out there, get opinions about how people receive our device. At Coulter, people thought we were in a fashion competition–itll be interesting to see what people think.

TA: Were trying to change the norm of breast cancer screening, and Im eager to see if individuals are open to changing the cycle.

KS: And of course I think we all want to hear more stories. It makes us that more motivated.

If you have a story to share, get in touch with the Brystech team at brystech@zahncenternyc.com . You can also follow them on Instagram (@Brystech) & Twitter (@Brystech_Inc). Dont miss them at Demo Day–make sure to RSVP here!

With Demo Day and the Final Pitch only about a month away, we thought wed re-introduce you to the startups vying for seed funding totalling $150,000. Usually, we introduce them to you in their respective tracks (Kaylie Hardware, Zahn Social Impact, Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC, and Zahn Technology), but this time, we thought wed highlight some of the themes were seeing startups explore this year.

While theyre still competing by track, youll notice that many of them could fit in multiple categories. Were pleased to report that across the board, were noticing many startups at CCNY have a socially-focused mission. Also, in addition to the Women+Tech specific track, our entire cohort represents a 50/50 gender parity.

At Demo Day, youll get a chance to meet teams (and an array of interesting entrepreneurs) exploring the fields of medtech, biotech & edtech, and also those advocating for human rights, creating solutions for the underserved & making our everyday lives better. Get to know them below before you vote for them at Demo Day!

A love for science inspiring creative solutions for real-world problems

Youll meet Brystech, a team creating a device that makes breast cancer screenings not only more accessible, but wayyy more comfortable. Then theres Free Foot, a team helping individuals with gait disorders get back on their feet.

If you love the sun, youll want to talk to ZIMNO, a team led by two brothers thats creating smart sunscreen to help you remember to re-apply (and avoid skin cancer). And dont miss Exostride, a team focused on reducing knee fatigue.

Of course theres also Lucid Motion, the startup that wants to re-write the aging process and give the elderly their freedom & mobility back.

A passion for sports re-imagined to encourage healthy habits

Sporta is building a platform for athletes (and the average player) to find leagues and others to play with in their area. The team of software engineers wants us to de-stress and get out and play!

FreightTran is a team of high school friends helping fellow longboarders save their shoes from the wear and tear of the sport. Theyve been working on this idea since they realized they went through way too many skate shoes.

Finally, Sprtlook aims to give athletes a place to shine, and connect them directly with coaches eager to add to their teams. The entrepreneurs behind the idea boast a variety of experiences, but are all athletes and avid soccer fans.

Using big data, virtual reality & machine-learning to empower entrepreneurs and consumers alike

Khamis + Co is a travel app inspired by the co-founders grandfathers love of exploring. They aim to connect curious travelers so that they can explore new places and create lasting friendships. Another app, CakeWLK, also wants to bring people together. This team believes theres safety in numbers and has found a way to enhance the buddy system.

Dont miss two startups using data to empower everyday entrepreneurs. Theres Fare, an app thats helping hardworking cab drivers better predict demand. And Vesta, a smart solution that helps property owners better service their tenants.  

Theres also BioBowl, a social impact startup thats building a VR pop-up experience for city dwellers to help reconnect us with our natural environment and make more sustainable choices.

Last but not least is Skinno, the winner of last years Nestlé SHIELD Skin Health Hackathon. They believe consumers deserve to know whats in their skincare products, and have developed a smart technology that helps you translate that science jargon.

Advocating for others & stepping up to create a better world for ALL

Meet FindJustice, a group of young activists who want to make it easier for grassroots organizations and nonprofits to communicate with & grow their memberships. Then theres endWH, a startup led by pre-law and business students determined to end workplace sexual harassment once and for all (and support victims of it in the meantime).

Then theres Prime, an app designed to help those suffering depression, powered by AI technology. You wont want to miss SHIELD Enterprises, a team working to empower the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean by bolstering local business and ending remittances.

Focusing on the next generation, and saving one thats considered a lost cause

We hope youll get excited about teachxchange, an edtech startup that aims to connect educators to share lesson plans and other resources to support one another, and improve their students classroom experience.

And of course theres Listen! This team is focused on helping Syrian refugees in Turkish camps. They dont want to lose an entire generation thats currently growing up in refugee camps, so theyre developing solutions for the children there.

We hope youre excited to meet these startups at Demo Day on April 30th where youll help us choose the Audience Favorites & award four startups $1,000 each! You can reserve your ticket today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/zahn-center-demo-day-2018-tickets-44306150890

City College has always been the birthplace of some of historys greatest innovations. From groundbreaking scientists and technologists to change-making political leaders and artists, CCNY alumni have led the charge into a brighter future. At our annual Demo Day & Final Pitch, youll meet the next chapter of that legacy in our CCNY startups.

These events kick off the week of April 30th, and below is info about each, as well as an updated list of the 2018 Venture Competition Cohort!

What to expect at Demo Day? Demo Day takes place on Monday, April 30th at the City College of New York at 12pm. This is where youll see all 18 startups of our Venture Competition on display in an open expo. Here theyre competing for the chance to pitch for first and second place across four competition tracks on Thursdays Final Pitch where they will compete for the Grand Prize in their track! Expert judges will decide who moves on to the Final Pitch, but your role is to help us choose the Audience Favorites and award four startups $1,000 each!

RSVP today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/zahn-center-demo-day-2018-tickets-44306150…

Here are the startups that youll meet at Demo Day:

Kaylie Prize (Hardware)

Brystech – an imaging device that makes breast cancer-screening more comfortable & accessible

Exostride – an exoskeletal knee augmentation to reduce workplace knee injuries & fatigue

FreeFoot – an assistive device for those with gait disorders

Lucid Motion – a human-generated power device to fight muscle atrophy

ZIMNO – a sunscreen that uses the five senses to warn you when to re-apply

Alternate: FreightTran – protective shoe soles for longboarders

Zahn Social Impact

FloraMind – a platform to help those with depression and anxiety by providing necessary support utilizing AI.

Listen! – a hand-held audio device that teaches basic vocabulary and language structure for children in refugee camps

teachxchange – a tool for educators to share lesson plans and other resources to support one another and improve their students classroom experience.

Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC

Among Allies (formerly endWH) – a platform that helps victims of workplace sexual harassment find resources while also helping companies establish safer workplace environments

CakeWLK – an app that connects college students with new friends via safe, reliable, publicly shared walking routes

Khamis + Co – an app that connects like-minded individuals to travel together

WebNest (formerly FindJustice) – a marketing management platform that helps grassroots organizations & non-profits grow and engage with their memberships

Zahn Technology

Fare (formerly Murmuration) – a driver-focused intuitive taxi demand prediction model

Skinno – an app to decipher skincare ingredients for consumers

Sporta (formerly Plugr) – a centralized platform to connect leagues, teams, and players

Sprtlook – an app that connects athletes with coaches

Vesta (formerly Proprio) – a platform to manage property units

What to expect at the Final Pitch? The Final Pitch is an evening program that takes place on Thursday, May 3rd. There, the eight leading startups from Demo Day will pitch to a live audience for prizes totaling $155,000. Industry experts  will act as judges to decide the fate of first and second place. Past Judges have included Howard Morgan of First Round Capital, Jason Feifer of Entrepreneur Magazine, and Minerva Tantoco, former CTO of NYC. RSVP today.

In our previous interview with Clayton Banks, the investor and Silicon Harlem founder spoke about the next generation of entrepreneurs–Millennials and Generation Z–and their potential to use technology to not only improve infrastructure and efficiency, but quality of life. I get to work with this new crop of entrepreneurs everyday at the Zahn Center. In this blog, Ill introduce you to Lucid Motion, a startup developing a human-generated power device that fights muscle atrophy. Their potential market is the aging population, and they hope to create a smart device to improve quality of life for the elderly.

But their idea is much more than just a device; its a shift in mindset, a cultural change, all fueled by a passion to give back to the generations before us. Lucid Motion is made up of CCNY biomedical engineering students Anuoluwapo Bolarinwa, Christian Fong, and Daniel Villarroel; and Philadelphia-based architectural designer Javier Villarroel (Daniels older brother). The project was inspired by the Villarroel brothers grandmother, and Ill let them tell the rest of the story€¦

Daniel Villarroel: I think the idea was born when my grandmother from Chile moved here to live with us. She has Alzheimers, and my mom has been her primary care provider for two years now. Javier and I go home to help out. A lot of people think that Alzheimers is purely a mental disease, but it affects a person physically as well. My grandmother doesnt remember or understand how to do things like shower or feed herself.

Katherine Olives: And besides that, theres the mental change.

DV: Exactly. The mental change takes a toll on you. My grandmother was once extremely active and social. Now, because of her disease, she doesnt leave the house very often. Shes not independent. She doesnt talk much anymore, doesnt interact with our family. She has a longing to do what she once did, but often doesnt have the mental or physical strength for it. So theres a depression that comes along with not being able to do what you once loved doing. We realized that most of the aging population struggles with this.

KO: So youre developing this device for them€”the aging population?

Javier Villarroel: Overall, were looking for people who are living a more sedentary life, whether thats the elderly or someone suffering from an injury. What if we could create a device that encouraged people to get outside again, do the things they love?

KO: I think that would have tremendous impact on our society. It sounds like youre really getting to the problem behind your idea.

DV: Right now were still very much falling in love with the problem, as Zahn encourages us to do. Since were still conducting customer interviews, were still figuring out if our initial idea is what our customers want. Ill have to admit though, the interviews right now have been a little discouraging.

KO: Really, how so?

DV: Were just not sure if muscle loss is really the main problem behind this. Its hard to tell what the elderly want or really need. Many doctors and patients have told us that muscle loss is just a part of life, a part of the aging process.

KO: Right, its almost like youre up against a societal barrier.

DV: Exactly. We have to convince people that you dont have to accept a sedentary lifestyle. We dont have to accept the traditional aging process. My grandmother has done so much for us, and I feel like its time that we give back to this generation. We shouldnt put them in homes and forget about them. If youre spending each day sitting inside, not able to pursue your passions, it makes you anxious. Theres no will to live. Its not right for them to believe that this is just a process, theres nothing to do about it. A lot of research goes into making people live longer. Whats that worth when you cant even walk? We need to pay attention to the quality of that life. Lets make sure we can make these 100 years very enjoyable.

JV: Our value proposition reflects this. Our intent is to improve an individuals independence. It takes into consideration the physical and social aspects.

Anuoluwapo Bolarinwa: Even my father whos a pretty active person has started to get tired on walks, he might say things like Im getting older, I cant do that anymore. And even though he looks completely healthy, hes losing muscle at a greater rate. Our device could help give them that little boost that could make a difference.

KO: And what exactly do you envision your device doing? What else like this is on the market?

AB: Although were still conducting research, we would like to build a prototype that would self-diagnose and offer treatment depending on an individuals muscles. Wed also like to explore how a smart element could help researchers further understand the aging process.

DV: There are a lot of electrical stimulators on the market, I even saw one at the mall, but its not passive. You would use it to stimulate, say, your ab muscles, and it runs on electricity or battery.

AB: For the elderly, this can cause cardiac arrest. Were trying to create a device like this that can run off of a persons own energy, and convince the individual to move more. We also need it to be safe for the elderly to use.

KO: Im excited to see how your idea develops, especially as you talk to more potential customers and learn from them. And, like you said, there are a lot of barriers to get past.

JV: The issue that were trying to tackle is definitely controversial. To most people, the issue€”aging–were trying to solve is pointless and eminent.

DV: Were here to show that social norms can be broken, that there is a way to change the trajectory of your life, and dictate the aging process.

At the Zahn Center, we're excited to see this team take off, and can't wait to see where they are come Demo Day (April 30th). If you know someone Lucid Motion could interview, or if you want to learn more about the team, visit lucidmotiontech.com

Lucid Motion will also be one of the CCNY startups featured at the Zahn Innovation Summit on March 6th, which includes skill-building workshops for entrepreneurs, a fireside chat with NYCs CTO Miguel Gamiño, and a panel of leading investors. Tickets to this incredible event are now on sale, but running out fast. Reserve your seat today.

At the Zahn Innovation Summit on March 6th, youll hear from local government officials, investors, and entrepreneurs. Each of our guests will share their expert opinions and advice on technology, entrepreneurship, and more. As a teaser, I sat down with one of our featured guests who will speak on our investor panel, Clayton Banks, Co-Founder and CEO of Silicon Harlem.

The mission of Silicon Harlem is to transform Harlem and other urban markets into Innovation and Technology hubs. Under Claytons leadership, Silicon Harlem has been able to partner with the Department of Education for New York City to establish an after school STEM based startup accelerator, collaborate with the NYC Mayors office to assess wireless broadband in Upper Manhattan, and coordinate a virtual startup incubator for tech based entrepreneurs.

To Clayton, Silicon Harlem is citizen-centric. He says, This isnt about how great we can we can be, its about what we believe our citizens deserve. Its about making sure their voices are heard and represented across the board. I make sure Harlems voice is always at the table when it comes to tech.

In his short interview with me, his passion for technology, innovation, and Harlems multidimensional community came across. Clayton loves what he does, and I had the pleasure of speaking with him to get a feel for what he thinks the future looks like.

Katherine Olives: What are the biggest trends in the tech and entrepreneurship scene in Harlem right now?

Clayton Banks: There are several trends that are very significant, and these trends are setting up for the future. Most important are the things happening in the community and infrastructure in Harlem. There are systemic things happening, and Silicon Harlem tries to address these them. The biggest problem is the lack of broadband adoption. Forty percent of households in Upper Manhattan are not accessing the internet from their homes. Since the internet impacts every aspect of life, from health to employment, not using it is detrimental. Everyone should be accessing the internet from their homes. So why arent they? The wires are here, theres access, its just too expensive. Theres an affordability issue that were trying to solve.

KO: Is Silicon Harlem working to solve that?

CB: Absolutely. Were trying to create an alternative way for homes to get online for a reasonable cost.

KO: Thats so important. Are there any other trends youre seeing? Or issues in this particular part of the city?

CB: Another issue were seeing is lack of digital literacy. We want to see the community improve from a skills perspective. How can they use the internet to not only watch Netflix, but improve your quality of life? Thats why were focusing on everyone–from pre-schoolers to grandparents. We want to improve digital literacy in the entire community. Nine out of ten people dont know the speed of their internet, but they pay for it. Were teaching them how to participate in the digital economy.

KO: Any other ways you see more individuals participating in tech?

CB: Another growing sector is IoT. Citizens need to understand how smart technologies are going to impact their communities, and why they need it. More and more advanced technology will come out in the next year that has the potential to save money for households, and improve efficiency in peoples individual lives. The bottom line is that everyone needs advanced and smart tech, but the only ones who are going to get it are the ones who have the money and the knowledge.

KO: Its definitely going to be an exciting time. Its a great time to be an entrepreneur!

CB: Exactly! My generation has done some big things–we introduced the internet to the world and figured out how to connect folks. We found huge issues with communication, so we tried to fix that. Now at the next level, the new generations–Millennials and GenZ-ers–theyre going to have to take on new problems, and unfortunately some of the problems left over from us. You take an area like Harlem or the Bronx and ask yourself: Why is this particular area marginalized? Why dont they have resources? With the advanced tech platforms that are coming, 5G for example, itll allow young minds that are coming out of school to solve some of these age-old systemic issues.

KO: You think the new generation of entrepreneurs will be solving issues in the social sector?

CB: Absolutely. There are simple problems that have plagued us for many years like the amount of rats and vermin we have in the city that can be solved better by new ideas, new solutions, and new technologies. What if we can create smart garbage cans that alert sanitation when its almost full? Having problems like this tells me that the government needs the private sector to help them, and this is where the new crop of entrepreneurs will find opportunities.

KO: I would love to be part of the generation that eradicates rats! What are some of your other visions for the future of tech in NYC, and especially Upper Manhattan?

CB: Let me tell you something, the greatest opportunity the city has is to empower the startup community, the tech community, and really all tech-enabled companies. Theyll have to give tech companies and startups a landscape to root themselves in the city, to grow here, and to produce jobs that were going to need in the future. Rather than entrepreneurs running to Silicon Valley or another city, theyll be able to get gainful employment right here. Thats a huge opportunity for the city. Tech is the economic engine that sustains us, it creates a great quality of life, and it can be a robust career. Honestly, I believe the entire city is due for an upgrade. This city is about to be the most intelligent major city in the world–from using blockchain to decentralize single-vendor facilities, to smart technologies to enhance quality of life and reduce costs–its going to be momentous.

KO: Absolutely!

CB: Weve been on the verge of an upgrade for awhile, and its going to start with infrastructure. Baked into that is connectivity–we have to make sure telecommunications are built into future advances. People want to live in cities, and the greatest opportunity we have is to empower our startups and connect Wall Street to them. Theyre landlocked Downtown, and we need to bring them Uptown. They need to see whats happening up here–at CCNY, at the Zahn Center, at Silicon Harlem–weve encouraged more and more co-working spaces to pop up here, and we worked hard to get WeWork up here. Now the WeWork Uptown location is the most diverse location in both the types of startups and the types of entrepreneurs working out of there. Its at capacity, and most of the ideas working out of that space are there to benefit the local communities.

KO: Thank you for saying all of that, I think sometimes the work thats happening in our area is overlooked. There are amazing things happening in the city around tech and innovation, especially in Upper Manhattan, and its time New York was known for that. I think Silicon Harlem has been on the forefront of that.

CB: One of the things that weve been able to do is attract an unprecedented amount of money into Upper Manhattan and Harlem for research and test-bedding over the next five years. This is an accomplishment that has never been seen in NYC or any other major city. With this, Harlem will never trail in tech again, and we can improve the quality of life for those who are being left behind.

KO: Thats incredible!

CB: Thank you, were very excited. Were having an event to celebrate this sometime in March, and well announce that soon. Its a big feat.

KO: Ill say! Its so exciting. So in my opinion, Silicon Harlem was Silicon Harlem before the coining of Silicon Alley. Do you think Harlem is leading NYCs charge into a smart future–and if so, how?

CB: Harlem has always been a community of leading change. Its baked in our DNA to be a leader and an agent of change. Whether its cultural changes, artistic changes, music and food–all these things that define New York City–they started in Harlem. Creativity is in our veins, so I think Harlem is poised to take the next big change–technology–and run with it. Having this DNA in us in Harlem, getting through the Depression, the 1960s, all of the major life-changing moments in our country, Harlem has been on the forefront and its built to be leading in anything thats innovative. Even our transportation is innovative–its easiest to get in and out of the city from Harlem. Harlem is multicultural, there are so many different experiences represented there, there are major hospitals, twelve colleges, and countless young minds being trained and educated here that will contribute to the world in a big way. Harlem has the bones for entrepreneurs. A large number of businesses are owned and operated by families, and theres a stable set of corporations invested in Harlem. We have great elected officials working here, and there are a lot of nonprofits in the area that are adopting technology as a way to keep their missions alive.

To hear more from Clayton Banks, save your seat at our upcoming Summit: https://goo.gl/nWxQ29

At the Zahn Center, we believe that diverse thinking drives innovation. In order to celebrate that, we're introducing the Zahn Innovation Summit, a premiere event that gathers a broad set of leaders in the NYC startup space with emerging entrepreneurs at the City College of New York in Harlem. The summit includes workshops to build skills, a fireside chat about unique opportunities in NYC, and a discussion about the power of investment in non-traditional founders. Participants will also meet the current class of startups at the Zahn Center.

This exciting event is brought to you in partnership with the Mayors Office of Data Analytics as part of Open Data Week, Silicon Harlem, and the NYCEDCs Futureworks program. Consider this your open invitation to build new skills, gain new knowledge, and discover new ideas. Here's what to expect:

Hack the Future Workshops

Innovation requires action. Our workshops have been specifically designed to help you take the next key step with your startup. Inspired by the subject of our four competition tracks–hardware, software, social impact, and women & tech–youll find theres a workshop for everyone.

• How to measure sustainable impact w/ B Lab – The workshop will provide you with a clear step-by-step process to start capturing and tracking your social impact, while getting you ready for future evaluation with more sophisticated methodology to communicate with your intended stakeholders.

• Negotiating in a biased environment – Participants are introduced to the framework for negotiating. They overcome any reluctance to negotiate as they engage in exercises and role plays that demonstrate how to solve a party's interests rather than confront their position, and how to engage in bargaining to achieve creative solutions.

• Using open data in your software application w/ Socrata – The workshop, Inclusive Web Programming €“ Programming on the Web with Open Data for Societal Applications — connects  three  themes: open data, web programming, and the need to provide better analytics over the web with open data to citizens to promote better quality of life.

• Sales Training for Startups w/ Google – Learn how to become a pro at sales with this actionable workshop with experts from Google

A Fireside Chat with Miguel Gamiño, New York City's CTO; moderated by Lylah Alphonse, Managing Editor, U.S. News & World Report

How does Silicon Alley differ from Silicon Valley? As New York City emerges as a leader in tech and entrepreneurship, how will it distinguish itself from the already robust tech space? Join us and New York City's CTO, Miguel Gamiño, in a conversation about why NYC has chosen to invest in tech, and what the city plans for the future.

An Investor Panel

Inspired by Raj Chettys research on Lost Einsteins, this panel will discuss why its important to invest in marginalized entrepreneurs. The panel features venture capitalists and entrepreneurs who are making the investment in a new future of entrepreneurship. Youll learn about their unique approach to investment, how they choose companies and their thoughts on how to create a vibrant ecosystem that fosters these types of innovators.

The panel will be moderated by Linda Villarosa, Author, Journalist, and Professor at CCNY. Panel includes: Rehana Nathoo of Spectrum Impact, Lorine Pendleton of Portfolia Fund, Clayton Banks of Silicon Harlem, and Elizabeth Vilchis of latinoTech (she's also a CCNY grad).

The Zahn Startup Competition Practice Pitch

The very heart of Zahn Innovation Center is our Zahn Venture Competition. Every year, 24 teams compete for over $150,000 total prizes. Youll meet the current teams vying for these prizes at their first public pitch in preparation for Aprils Demo Day. Come support and see them as they take their first step into the public eye.

If you'd like to join us at this exciting event, please RSVP here.

Discounted tickets are available to CCNY students, faculty, and staff with valid ID. Use code “CCNY.”

The good news keeps on coming. Wed like to update you on one of our startups, Nuravine. You may remember them as the food computer of the future, but since then, theyve made a slight pivot. They still have the same dream of building fully automated food-growing systems, but theyre hyper-focused right now on making the first product. They call it Elixir, an auto-nutrient doser and ph-balancer for indoor hydroponics.

Nuravine was recently accepted into The National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) National Competition. I-Corps prepares scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the university laboratory, and accelerates the economic and societal benefits of NSF-funded, basic research projects that are ready to move toward commercialization. I sat down with Nuravine co-founders Adrian Logan and Alex Babich to talk about what they hope to accomplish over the next few months.

Katherine Olives: First of all, congrats! Were so proud of the Nuravine team. How exactly did this opportunity come about?

Adrian Logan: Thank you! Were very excited. We were part of the I-Corps New York City Regional Node, mostly thanks to Arber Ruci, who is a CCNY grad and entrepreneur. He saw us pitch at one of the Zahn events, and told us that wed be a great fit for the I-Corps program, which hes affiliated with. As part of the program, you can win up to $50,000 to talk to 100 customers. Since we won the Regional Node, were moving on to Nationals.

KO: Thats so exciting! It sounds like a lot of the entrepreneurs in the program are working on a project that hasnt been commercialized yet. Do you find that to be true?

Alex Babich: Yes, most of the startups in the program are research-based. This program is about finding the right market for your project. Usually theyre working on something in a lab that theyre looking to commercialize. In many cases, theyre PhD-level students. It can get a bit intimidating.

AL: But we definitely had a lot of advantages coming out of the Zahn program. Many of the other teams havent been exposed to the entrepreneurial, the business side, or things. We sort of had a leg up on that. We were also comfortable talking to people and getting feedback. People hold very dearly to their technologies, especially if youre doing extensive research on it. And when you put it into the real world, some people dont get it. Its a hard thing to hear. Zahn really prepared us for that. We learned to lose our egos and be open to feedback.

KO: Thats definitely a difficult thing to learn. You get attached to your ideas, you know? So what is the program all about?

AL: I-Corps follows the business model canvas and the lean startup. You learn about how the business model canvas should be–everything on it as a hypothesis. Once you hear enough trues or falses, you can either validate or invalidate what you thought.

KO: And what have you learned so far?

AB: From our interviews, weve learned that we should be targeting the industrial side, as opposed to the in-home market. We initially thought that there were enough industrial products and we wouldnt be competitive. But after talking to people in that space, we realize there is still plenty of room for innovation.

AL: I think its Bert Brodsky that says Find a big market and take a sliver of it. I think thats what we finally realized we should do. These people really need our help. Theyre using clipboards and stuff to keep track of this. Theres so many smart people who have already figured everything out, but there are so many different spaces. Some of them get ignored by the big companies. You should go out and talk to people, and you learn about these spaces.

AB: One of the best experiences was going and visiting the farmers. When you go and visit, you get to see what theyre doing for yourself. Its great to get to know them, ask them questions, they truly have the best insights. We definitely want to see more farmers. Not just indoor farmers, but outdoor as well. As part of this competition, were going to be able to travel all over the US and learn more about farmers. Hopefully well get an even deeper understanding of their problems.

KO: Wow, travelling across the country–that sounds so exciting! Do you have a set plan?

AB: We just started building lists, we wanted to make a list of at least 100 growers, and then started to plan out dates. Well start in Texas–thats where the program starts–but were trying to talk to people all over the place.

AL: Were going to talk to at least 100 direct customers, but we also want to talk to anyone who knows anything about this market.

So if youre one of those people, connect with Nuravine. Theyre looking for hydroponic growers and farmers to go and interview. Email alex@nuravine.com to set up a time to chat.

Innovation lives everywhere. The brightest ideas in solving problems in our society can come from every corner and every community, and we would be crazy to ignore the contributions of the immigrants, women, ethnic and religious minorities, and any other way you want to define diversity.

Raj Chetty and his team at Stanford have again published important work on the study of inequality in our society, and their most recent research on Lost Einsteins particularly rings true for us at the Zahn Center at The City College of New York. The research concludes that innovators must be exposed to inventions and entrepreneurs from a young age. It's this mere exposure that delineates those in our society who will become our next Steve Jobs, and those who will never even dream to contribute in this way. And like I said, we are crazy to let that happen.

We all know that the problems in our society are vast and complex, and affect each of our communities in different ways. But if only a small fraction of our population is working towards the development of new technology that will actually solve some of these challenges, there's no possibility of creating technology that benefits all of society and creating greater equity and sustainability for everyone.

At the Zahn Center we argue that many of the brightest minds who can solve pressing problems are under-supported. We also argue that the challenges that are most important in those under-resourced communities are overlooked by the mainstream tech and entrepreneurship sectors today. It is our great responsibility to train this next generation of entrepreneurs to both identify problems that matter to them, and develop the solutions.

One of our recent graduates is a company named Veripad. This team of immigrants whose families come from Egypt, Korea and Vietnam experienced the tribulations of unreliable medication when visiting family abroad. As a result they are developing new technology to verify each pill, in such a way that a simple pad and a smartphone can tell you instantly whether the medication you are giving your child will cure his malaria.

Another company that got its start at the Zahn Center is Strong Arm Technologies. This team from Upstate New York witnessed their family members being hurt or worse as they labored in construction, virtually unprotected. The team of engineers built armor for the industrial athletes who rely on their bodies strength every day to earn their living.

These are not problems that most traditional entrepreneurs experience, and yet they are challenges that affect millions of people in our society. We at the Zahn Center are so lucky to work with the innovative entrepreneurs that are solving challenges that matter to all members of our society. And it is our shared responsibility to work to find and nurture the Lost Einsteins so that we all move forward together and apply technological advancements in a way that positively impacts all parts of society.

We'll explore Raj Chetty's research on “Lost Einsteins” on a panel at our upcoming Zahn Innovation Summit, and you'll learn why investors seek out founders from every corner.

Looking to gain new skills this year? You can learn something new at our public workshops, free for all CCNY students, faculty, and staff. No previous skills are required to attend. Heres a complete list of whats being offered this semester:

Thursday, February 22nd at 6pm

• IoT & Arduino 101 Workshop: Are you fascinated by the world of IoT? In this workshop, youll build an understanding of the IoT space & learn how to work with an Arduino board. RSVP here!
• Software Design for Startups Workshop: Learn how to design your software in order to ensure rapid delivery. RSVP here!

Thursday, March 1st at 6pm

• CAD Design & 3D Printing 101: Want to learn something new? In this workshop youll learn advanced mechanical designing for 3D printing (or the design behind 3D printing) so that you can get started on your new hobby or skill. RSVP here!
• Grant Writing 101: Do you work at a non-profit or social enterprise? Grant writing can be a great skill to help you get a head. If youre a social entrepreneur, learning out to find and write grants can help you get ahead. In this workshop, youll learn how to find grants that apply to your non-profit AND how to successfully write them. RSVP here!

We want to hear your ideas!

Many students visit the Zahn Center to get feedback on their ideas. We love getting visitors from across campus, so now we're making it even easier for you to meet with us. This semester we're launching Open Office Hours at the Zahn Center @Marshak. All you have to do is stop by during one of the days/times listed below to bounce your ideas off of us. You'll leave with advice and feedback from our resident entrepreneurs.

• Mondays, 11am-12pm with the Ouvos team
• Tuesdays, 10am-4pm with Ellie Li of Projections.io
• Wednesdays, 8am-12pm with Namisha Bahl of Mogul
• Wednesdays, 2pm-5pm with Perry Mao of Wailian Education
• Wednesdays, 3pm-5pm with the dawaCare team
• Fridays, 11am-2pm with the Nuravine team

Questions? Email katherine@zahncenternyc.com

This past weekend, ninety-some CCNY students joined us at Grand Central Tech in Midtown for a two-day retreat to kick off our 2018 Lean Startup Bootcamp. Here's a recap of the weekend:

We kicked off Saturday with inspiring words from Joe Barba, Director of Entrepreneurship at CCNY. He spoke about the journey to come and shared: “Each and every one of you is going to struggle at some point, have setbacks, but that's okay. We'll be with you every step of the way. By the end of this program, you'll leave with much more than any other student gets to experience.”

From there, we moved right into the “Five Whys” workshop, a technique that peels away the layers of symptoms which can lead to the root cause of a problem. Our startups were forced to think like children who constantly ask “why”, and in turn, realized a lot about the problems behind their solutions.

After, startups completed a critical path worksheet to identify their bootcamp goals. And then, they heard from entrepreneur Bishoy Ghobryal, Co-Founder and CEO of Veripad. Bishoy shared tips for learning how to work with your team. He stressed the importance of trusting your business partners and celebrating their individual expertise, because “your co-founder relationship will be one of the most important relationships of your life.”

Then, Standard Chartered Bank human resources experts presented on team management and managing conflict. And for the afternoon, startups worked with Standard Chartered mentors and staff at the Zahn Center to put their project plans into motion by completing a RACI chart and organizing roles & responsibilities.

Sunday was all about the customer. While we started off completing the Business Model Canvas, most of the day was dedicated to customer discovery. Startups discovered how to create a value proposition based on your customer's wants, needs, and objections, and conducted a fact finding exercise to discover what they knew and didn't know about their potential customers. Teams also put together customer personae to understand the ins and outs of their customers. Then, they learned how to interview customers to get the most accurate information.

After lunch, entrepreneur and Founder of My Money My Future, Ramona Ortega, joined us to talk about product market fit, and share her best marketing practices.

The day wrapped up with a User Based Design workshop, and finally, we heard all of the teams pitch!

Overall, startups thought the retreat prepared them for what's to come! Although it was a lot to learn in one day, they pushed through the weekend with determination. We can't wait to get started.

Yesterday, NYC Media Lab announced its third cohort of startup teams that joined Combine, its entrepreneurship program to commercialize emerging media technologies from faculty and students at the Citys universities. Among the selected startups is our own Ouvos, a community-based navigation app for cyclists.

I sat down with the Ouvos team–Ahmed Ben Mansour, Kevin Navarra, and Salman Siraj–to learn more about the progress theyve made since our Accelerator, and what they hope to accomplish during Combine.

Katherine Olives: So what is new with Ouvos? We spend almost every day with you, but we havent given a public update in awhile. Were so thrilled about your acceptance into Combine. What is it like so far?

Ahmed Ben Mansour: Were very excited too! The program kicked off a little over a week ago, so we havent had too many sessions yet, but the way the program works is every week we conduct at least ten interviews that we present on Thursdays. During those weekly presentations, we discuss what we learned from our interviews, and how the interviews proved or disproved our assumptions on various parts of our business and product.

KO: That all sounds very exciting. And whats your main goal during Combine?

ABM: Our main goal is to get as many signups as possible so we can launch in February. Were planning to launch in both NYC and San Francisco. For now, itll just be a private beta where select people have access. Its for us to get as much feedback as possible and try to build what matters most to cyclists. The main reason weve been holding it off launching publicly is so that active cyclists are actually using it, so others can see the value there.

Kevin Navarra: Exactly. We really want to get validation for what were building. We have validation that this is a real problem and its worth solving, but there are aspects that we havent really considered. Taking the time to talk to customers during the Combine program will help address those issues, and hopefully well come up with a product that addresses all the problems cyclists face while trying to navigate.

KO: Youve been doing a lot of interviews already. How has that been going?

ABM: Kevin and Salman have literally been pounding the pavement.

KO: Wow that must be challenging. And nerve-wracking right?

KN: Weve literally been stopping Citibikes and cyclists on the street, so the cold has been our biggest challenge. Everyones bundled up and just trying to get to where theyre going as quickly as possible, so we have to spend a lot more time waiting to see bikers. When we do see them, its hard for them to stop and give us five minutes.

KO: I bet! Do you have any tips for getting interviews, because you still manage to do it?

Salman Siraj: Instagram and bike shops have been the most helpful so far. Bike shops are great for in-person interviews because the people who work there are usually cyclists themselves. Plus, you get to talk to their customers.

KN: Yeah the bike shops have been great. Weve developed great relationships with some of the local shops and its helping because they give us referrals. But it also leads us to unexpected findings. I went to a bike shop the other week and a guy came in and said he got into an accident. I learned about how he got into the accident, how it could have been prevented, and it was really helpful for our app.

KO: So Ive got to ask–most of our readers might remember you before your pivot, when you were mainly considered a hardware device. Why did you decide to pivot?

ABM: A long time ago, Ouvos was a navigation device through hardware. The pivot was a customer adoption thing. When the baseline of your product is hardware, theres a barrier to entry. Do we have a hardware device that 5% of the cyclists will use? Or do we have a phone app that we can build a community around? It makes it easier for us to reach and tap into more people.

KO: So your pivot still aligns with your initial inspiration?

ABM: Absolutely. The initial inspiration came to me about two summers ago, when I started to get back into biking. For the first time, I felt like I wasnt really safe, even in bike lanes. I started exploring this issue for my senior design project, and the product I worked on was what I entered into last years Zahn Competition. But then I actually witnessed something else. Do you remember that Salman?

SS: Yeah, it was when we went on the bike tour last Spring with Cyqlo (another team in the competition focusing on cycling). A guy on the opposite side of the street hit a pothole and flipped over. He was completely passed out, bleeding, the ambulance came and everything.

ABM: One of the store owners on the corner came out and said this was the second time that happened this week. I started thinking about how we could fix this problem. If that guy would have known about the pothole, he could have avoided it, and thats when Ouvos as it is today was born.

The Zahn team is incredibly excited for the Ouvos team, especially because Ahmed (previously Kanic) and Kevin (previously Migo, Frip, and Runr) have been a part of our program for a few years. Ahmed, Kevin, and Salman are the truest form of entrepreneurs–individuals who will try and try again until they create something that can help someone. Amy Chen, Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at NYC Media Lab, also shared her anticipation for working with the Ouvos team: NYC Media Lab is excited to welcome Ouvos to the 2018 cohort because the team members have demonstrated their passion for working together as early-stage entrepreneurs. The team has also shown their enthusiasm to learn from the customer discovery curriculum we offer, and we are impressed by the teams vision for safer streets and more efficient routes for the cycling community.

If youre a cyclist, or have friends who are cyclists, make sure you check out Ouvos & sign up for their Beta.

Although our Internship Program is popular on campus, many havent heard the story behind it. About two years ago, the Zahn Center approached BNY Mellon with a proposition. We wanted to find opportunities to apply the talent of the CCNY student body to solving needs in the social sector. Soon, the idea for a funded internship program for social enterprises and non-profits came to life.

At last weeks Fall Internship Finale, our own Lindsay Siegel proudly announced that since the start of the program, thanks to BNY Mellon, weve been able to support 37 leading social enterprises in NYC by providing them with paid interns. Of those interns, eleven students have received full and part-time job offers after their internships. She also specifically acknowledged Kate DeBold, Associate Director of Global Citizenship & Sustainability at BNY Mellon, for her partnership in making all of this possible.

In Kate DeBolds eyes, having an internship at a non-profit or social enterprise allows students to develop phenomenal perspective on what it means to be part of the social impact space. At last weeks event, she explained why BNY Mellon fits so nicely into the equation. As one of the first financial institutions in the world (it was founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1784), its in BNY Mellons DNA to seek positive change as they meet the worlds investment needs. As part of the institutions philanthropic mission, the bank invests in social impact and economic empowerment. BNY Mellons partnership with the Zahn Center was one of their first connections to the social impact space. As Kate explained, working with the Zahn Center allows us to impact an ecosystem–we can work through your bright minds to make a change in the ecosystem.

For the rest of the evening, we heard presentations from five of the Fall interns. They shared a how they helped their respective social enterprises to enact change.

First to present was Dibya Shahi. She interned at BlocPower, a startup that aims to bring clean energy to scale in American inner cities. During her internship, Dibya collected data about energy bills and helped the engineering teams explore different models. By the end of the internship, she gained technical knowledge, and now understands a lot more about green technologies. Shell use a lot of that knowledge to aid in her senior design project at CCNY.

Next was Eshrat Khan, who worked as a marketing intern for Zahn startup dawaCare. dawaCare is a non-profit that  improves health outcomes in developing nations, with a specific focus on Cameroon. During her internship, Eshrat researched Cameroons healthcare system, its culture, disease profile, and designed content for the young startup. In the process, she learned about Cameroon. She told us that working for a startup is different because you have to be a self-starter. Eshrat will continue to work with dawaCare throughout the Spring semester.

Brian Kalledeen worked for a former Zahn resident, Keen Home. They make smart vents, so Brian helped model some displays. As they were releasing new firmware and hardware, Brian played a key role. He gained experience in a field that deeply interests him, got a feel for the startup world, and got to meet smart people. Brian will also continue his internship with Keen Home–and continue to enjoy their free coffee and snacks.

Next, Darren Lin talked about his time at Resonant Energy. Their main goal is to make solar power accessible to families by grouping solar projects together so families can split the costs and share the benefits. Darren conducted research on the electricity costs in 5 or 10 years, met with contractors to negotiate prices, and worked with very cool software. He especially loved working out of the Urban Future Lab because he met so many great people and built his network. Surprisingly, he also discovered that although he was his most busy last semester, he was more productive and he got his best grades yet.

Finally, Gresa Murati told us about her experience at Ecogy Solar, a startup that finances solar PV systems through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). During the Fall semester, Gresa researched the solar market in Costa Rica and conducted market research, all in Spanish. One of the biggest things she learned was how challenging it is to speak Spanish in a topic thats unfamiliar. She also learned valuable skills to aid in the creation of her own startup (endWH, a competitor in our upcoming competition).

Were excited to support these CCNY students, along with the others in our internship program, to stay focused on the impact they will have to effect positive change with their careers.

In late November, the American Association for the Advancement of Science presented the Forum on Inclusive STEM Entrepreneurship. The event was organized by key figures in the space including our own Kesia Hudson and Lindsay Siegel, and CCNYs Dean of Engineering, Gilda Barabino. It brought together a diverse set of leaders in STEM and entrepreneurship to share best practices, network, and plan for more a more inclusive tech and startup space.

One of the main goals of the Zahn Center is to cultivate more women entrepreneurs, and create a pipeline to the C Suite. In the same sense, we recognize that some of the challenges that women face also apply to people of color. Kesia Hudson, Director of the Standard Chartered Womens Technology Incubator at the Zahn Center, can speak to these challenges first hand.

As a grad student, Kesia remembers her experience pitching a custom clothing concept that incorporated 3D modeling to an all-male panel of judges not understanding the expanding fashion market. And throughout her life, she recalls quizzical or even incredulous looks that often greeted her when she put her coding skills to use in various corporate intrapreneurial jobs. That she was an African American woman didnt help. In the following blog, Kesia discusses her takeaways from the Forum on Inclusive STEM Entrepreneurship, and helps us identify ways to build a brighter future.

Meritocracy doesnt exist – so how do you prove yourself?

As Arlan Hamilton, Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital, puts it, not everyone has the luxury of dropping out of school, donning a hoodie, and going into the garage to start a company. Minority entrepreneurs have to prove, prove, prove, and prove some more. At the event, entrepreneurs spoke about how hard it was for them to get funding, when male counterparts seemed to have it so easy. Its almost as if merit doesnt always matter. This is a hard pill to swallow, especially for hard-working, young entrepreneurs. And unfortunately, theres no answer but to keep on working, and to find that one person who will believe in you from the beginning.

Build your own innovation table.

Another panelist suggested building your own network, or creating an innovation table. In the next five years, as entrepreneurship collides with minority buying power, who are you surrounding yourself with? How will you make sure others like you get a seat at the table?

Rakia Finleys (Co-Founder of FIN Digital) best advice: if youre invited, extend it to your network. We need to get past the point where were getting these invitations that are non-transferrable. Bring a plus one, or a plus two, and soon, well see each other across the table. If youre a man–especially if youre not underrepresented–decline the invitation to speak at the panel of all other men who look like you. Instead, suggest a female colleague with similar expertise.

Tell your own story.

One of the best pieces of advice I took away from the event was the power of storytelling. If youre not being heard, if youre not being celebrated, then tell your own story. Social media is a powerful thing, and women and minority entrepreneurs should use it to their advantage. The only key is to design your message so that people who are not a part of your story care about it.

Another suggestion that came from a panelist is to find people in your circle who can tell your story if they have more influence. As an actionable plan, we need to make a more structured environment to tell our own stories, and spread it through that network.

Stop acting like bootstrapping is sexy.

Natalia Oberti Noguera, CEO and Founder of Pipeline Angels, brought up something that she oftens hears in medi: When it comes to entrepreneurship, you only see the highlight reel. You see the product of sleepless nights, the luxurious lifestyle after years of barely making ends meet. Those types of stories make you question whether or not youre doing it right. Media has made bootstrapping sexy (almost like it gives you grit, and you have a chip on your shoulder.) For many of us, bootstrapping is living. When youre bootstrapping everyday, how are you supposed to bootstrap a business. Its not glamorous, so we need to stop acting like it is.

Dont let scarcity stories perpetuate the scarcity.

When it comes to women and minorities doing things, it seems like all we hear about are exceptions. The one person who made it. This is mostly because people see the growth of minorities as a threat rather than an opportunity. How do we get past the exception, and make powerful women and minorities the norm? Dont let the success of one seem like a failure for yourself. Theyre not the exception. If they can do it, you can do it too.
For me, being in a room with all of these accomplished women and men of color–experts in academics, business, public policy, and beyond–wasnt one of those stories. For us it was normal. This is what it should look like. It shouldnt be a surprise.

This year we piloted a program to give CCNY students an opportunity to develop their skills by working on projects out of our MakerLab. As our own Technology Program Director, Devin Voorsanger, puts it, Were a teaching hospital for engineers. Its like an apprenticeship that builds on what students have learned in their classes to prepare them for industry careers.

And after one semester, were very pleased that one of our SuperUsers, Jason Pratt–part of a cohort of 24 students specializing in Software, CAD Design, Electronics, and Advanced Manufacturing–was offered a full-time position at Lockheed Martin. Jason shares some of his thoughts on the program and his experiences below, proving that passion and drive can help you reach your dreams.

The first time Jason heard about the Zahn Center was during his first semester at CCNY. He recalls having a conversation with a classmate about a project. Jason immediately saw the business potential, and started to imagine turning the project into a venture. His classmate suggested that he check out the Zahn Center.

He said there would be a lot of other students there who I would click with…Engineers trying to make their ideas come to fruition. So later that day, I walked into the Zahn Centers MakerLab. I was blown away! There were engineering students working on a mechatronics device, and students were soldering boards, running code for motors, and testing their designs. That was my first experience witnessing engineering students practicing their trade. That day, I walked around to get more of an idea of what was at the Zahn Center. I saw an array of 3D printers printing components and pieces, and it reminded me of why I pursued engineering in the first place.

And thats when Jason realized that he needed to become a part of our community. He recalls, Considering I had experience with a few of the printers that were at the lab, I went and spoke with the lead engineer to see if he needed any extra help with the 3D printers. At the time, they didnt need any extra help, but fast forward a year and a half later, and a friend of mine tells me the Zahn Center is starting a program to give engineering students real work experience. I was excited, having heard that I would learn how to use the industrial sized 3D printers, CNC machines, and laser cutter. I also knew Id get to practice geometric coding, the language 3D printers use.

From there, Jason interviewed for and accepted a position as a SuperUser. He was brought on during the Summer of 2017, and then quickly showed he was capable of more responsibility. Along with three other students, he took on the role of a senior SuperUser in Fall 2017, and led a pod of five other students around Advanced Manufacturing projects.

When he interviewed for a full time position at Lockheed Martin, he was pleasantly surprised, and was offered a position he didnt initially apply for–Manufacturing Engineer II. Jason believes he was offered a more advanced position, partly because of the experience I already had working with CNC machines, and partly because I showcased leadership skills leading a team of SuperUsers here at The Zahn Center. I really do believe the Zahn Center played a large role in preparing me for my interviewing process. Using the array of different machines, and always being in the shop or fabricating lab was exactly what I needed to become a competitive candidate for employment. Having lead a team of additive manufacturing SuperUsers allowed me to hone my leadership skills.

He goes on to say, The Zahn Center helped me tailor my resume to stand out–I just didn't have a generic engineering resume, they helped me make it as detailed and lean as a professional resume should be. They also helped me create a portfolio to showcase my skillset in the different projects I have completed and achievements I have accomplished. Staff at the Zahn Center made sure that as part of the leadership development program they provide, they teach you how to properly manage a team and complete a product development project.

Once Jason starts his new job, hell work with technicians to machine aluminum and titanium parts for transmission in helicopters. His advice to all students is to find a passion, become obsessed with it, learn everything there is to know about it, and master it! Until then, hell join us at the Zahn Center to help our lead engineer with projects over Winter Break. And in the Spring, well welcome a new cohort of SuperUsers eager to master their craft. Stay tuned for more news about the program, and about updates to our MakerLab coming soon!

You may remember Motion2Movement (formerly known as Active Hands), as the winner of the 2017 Kaylie Prize. Since then, the team has been working hard on a pilot program with Burke Rehabilitation Hospital here in New York. Now theyre embarking on a new journey! Theyve been accepted into the Bio & Health Tech Entrepreneurship Lab NYC (or ELab)s 6-month training and mentorship program for aspiring entrepreneurs in NYCs life sciences and healthcare technology community.

ELabs program is designed to assist biotech, medtech, and life science innovators. Its comprised of a mini-MBA program during January, followed by monthly workshops from February to May, and concludes late June.

Ralph Hertz of Motion2Movement spoke to me about the opportunity. By participating in ELab, the Motion2Movement team hopes to continue to build on what they learned at the Zahn Center, he said. The team also hopes to expand their network. To Ralph, meeting people in the industry has played a huge part in accelerating the ongoing process of learning. The team also hopes that, with ELabs help, they can have a more successful launch of their first generation general wellness therapy device, and have a broader network of care providers involved in the development of their second generation medical device.

Another one of our Zahn alumni, Veripad, will also join ELabs program this year. After their win at MassChallenge, Veripads Bishoy Ghobryal attended the Merck KGaA X-Innovation Summit in Dubai (the trip sponsored by Merck KGaA) to speak on a Digital Health Panel amongst other promising startups. In early January, theyll head to Las Vegas to exhibit their product at CES 2018. The conference brings together developers of cutting edge consumer technologies.

Well share updates about both Motion2Movement and Veripad as they complete ELabs program. ELab was launched by the Bloomberg Administration and the New York City Economic Development Corporation. You can find out more about their program here.

We are thrilled to share the new Zahn Center Cohort of the 2018 Competitions! This year our process was more competitive than ever, and we were truly impressed by the quality and creativity of the ideas we received. We are looking forward to working with the new class of startups over the coming months as they tackle important problems with their entrepreneurial solutions.

Over the past few weeks, weve worked with expert judges €“ from investors to successful entrepreneurs, educators to executives €“ to help select our entries. Zahn staff then held interviews with the top teams, and selected five semi-finalists and one alternate in each category. These 24 startups will compete for the Kaylie Hardware Prize, the Zahn Social Impact Prize, the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize, and the Zahn Technology Prize.

Heres a sneak peek:

Kaylie Hardware

Brystech – an imaging device that makes breast cancer-screening more comfortable

Exostride – an exoskeletal knee augmentation to reduce workplace knee injuries and fatigue

Happy Foot – an assistive device for those with gait disorders

Lucid Motion – a human-generated power device to fight muscle atrophy

ZIMNO – a sunscreen that uses the five senses to warn you when to re-apply

Alternate: FreightTran – protective shoe soles for long boarders

Zahn Social Impact:

Bio-Bowl – an anaerobic digester that turns organic waste into fertilizer and renewable energy

Listen! – a hand-held audio device that teaches basic vocabulary and language structure for children in refugee camps

SHIELD Enterprises – a platform for developing nations to encourage local commerce among diaspora communities

teachxchange – a tool for educators that provides access to social emotional learning content for under-resourced  communities

Standard Chartered Women + Tech4NYC

Cakewalk – an app that connects college students with new friends via safe, reliable, publicly shared walking routes

endWH – a platform that helps victims of workplace sexual harassment find resources, while also helping companies establish safer workplace environments

FindJustice – a platform for organizers and activists to engage with each other and enact change within communities

Khamis + Co – an app that connects like-minded individuals to travel together

Zahn Technology

Murmuration – a driver-focused intuitive taxi demand prediction model

Plugr – a centralized platform to connect soccer leagues, teams, and players

Proprio – a platform to manage rental property units

Skinno – an app to decipher skincare ingredients for consumers

Sprtlook – a PR app for athletes

Alternate: Prime – a platform to help those with depression and anxiety by providing necessary support utilizing artificial intelligence

We cant wait to begin an entrepreneurial journey with these fantastic teams. In early February we will kick off our Bootcamp, and well share updates of each teams progress throughout the semester. Youll get to know them as their ideas evolve. Join us in congratulating the 2018 Cohort by sharing on social media using #CCNYstartups.

We couldnt have chosen our 2018 Startup Competition Cohort without the help of our expert judges — investors, entrepreneurs, public officials, educators, and CCNY alumni who took the time to read dozens of student applications, provide feedback, and score startups based on a variety of factors, including market value and innovation.

A huge thank you to: Jack Abel, Namisha Bahl, Lisa Balter Saacks, Joe Barba, Marom Bikson, Gerardo Blumenkrantz, Claude Brathwaite, Art Brody, Elaine Chin, Yaroslav Chinskiy, Andrew Conde, Jared Day, Frank DeBernardis, Kate Debold, Sean Dhadialla, Haytham Elhawary, George Gerstman, Sahar Ghaheri, Jonathan Hakakian, Andrew Hapke, Tori Hay, Brian Heiman, Justin Hendrix, Michael Kruse, Ellie Li, Celia Lloyd, Josh Lucido, Abby Lyall, Marc Mantell, Peirui Mao, Thessy Mehrain, Katey Metzroth, Jim Miller, Howard Morgan, Dave Newman, Valerie Pholpituke, Jessica Quinn, Sage Ramadge, Bill Sappington, Adrienne Schmoeker, Michael Semegran, Amar Singh Rathor, William Snipes, Michael Sondak, Joe Spivack, Minerva Tantoco, Natalia Trujillo, Kim Wales, and Derrick Yeboah.

Many of these judges will join us throughout the semester as expert advisors who will work with the teams to coach them through the development of their businesses and social ventures. If youd like to join them in supporting the new class of Zahn startups, please reach out to katherine@zahncenternyc.com . Our judges come from diverse backgrounds and represent startups, companies, and investors including (in no particular order): First Round Capital, Standard Chartered Bank, the Moxie Foundation, BNY Mellon, The Mayor's Office, Google, Wales Capital, Soundboard Angel Fund, Grand Central Tech, Secondmuse, RBC Capital Markets, Matter VC, NYC Media Lab, Mogul, Kinetic, dh studio, Civic Hall, Quake VC, The City College of New York, and more.

The Zahn Center's MakerLab is getting an upgrade! In June, the Manhattan Borough Presidents Office awarded the MakerLab with $500,000 in capital funds. The award will enable us to dramatically improve our manufacturing offerings by adding short run manufacturing capabilities to the equipment in our MakerLab, a rapid prototyping facility designed for student entrepreneurs and the hardware startup community. The new equipment and improvements will bring lasting impact to CCNY and Harlem, more broadly.

We are incredibly grateful to Borough President Gale A. Brewer and Matthew Washington, Deputy Borough President, for recognizing the value of technology by offering this award to the Zahn Center. Their generosity will enable our student startups to realize their visions sooner, said Lindsay Siegel, Executive Director.

One of our goals as a startup incubator is to help student startups build prototypes, develop their products and refine their features, improve sales pitches, and negotiate the complicated realms of financing and intellectual property law. Since its founding, the Center has graduated 155 startups. Collectively, these startups have raised and earned more than $32 million in capital, and filed more than 75 provisional and full patents for their concepts.

However, the initial costs of starting a business, especially a hardware-focused business, are high. Many entrepreneurs, including the student entrepreneurs at the Zahn Center, cannot front these startup costs. In 2016, 60% of CCNY students came from homes with an annual family income of $30,000 or less.

Currently, our equipment is for learning and iterating on a single basic prototype. The next stage in the programs development is to have the appropriate equipment for our student startups to be able to manufacture their initial run of product. With this award, we will have the capability to do small runs of electronics and create plastic and metal encasements and parts for shelf ready products. This enables students to fulfill a Kickstarter campaign months ahead of the typical production schedule associated with most crowdfunded hardware startups. This rapid fulfillment of orders and the drastically reduced costs will allow student startups to proudly manufacture in the U.S. and get their businesses off the ground, said Devin Voorsanger, Technology Program Director of the Zahn Innovation Center.

In addition to allowing the startups coming out of the Zahn Center to more easily bridge the gap between the theoretical and tangible aspects of running a business, the expanded capabilities in the lab will provide CCNY engineering students with experience in their chosen fields. CCNY Engineering students will be working to help fulfill prototyping and small batch manufacturing Kickstarter orders from the upper Manhattan community and surrounding area.

These new services will also be available to community startups beginning their first steps in their journey as a company. This will make it significantly easier for startups in the Harlem community to launch and iterate their own hardware startups as they have a homegrown manufacturing and prototyping facility available to help them. CCNY has always been an important part of the Harlem community, and this is another way in which the college can partner with the local community to everyones benefit, added Siegel.

I am thrilled to support the Zahn Innovation Center and assist in the creation of a prototyping hub in Harlem, led by student innovators said Manhattan Borough President Gale A Brewer. “I am proud to invest in a diverse group of students and local entrepreneurs as they build their startups and test their ideas in this lab of the future.

For more information about our MakerLab's offerings, please contact Devin Voorsanger at devin@zahncenternyc.com .

On Thursday evening, Veripad took home $50,000 at MassChallenge's annual awards ceremony in Boston. They competed with 127 other startups from around the country to earn a spot in the accelerator's Top 26, and were eventually selected as one of 16 startups to receive a piece of MassChallenge's $1 million cash prize.

Veripad has come a long way form their start at the Zahn Center. After winning the 2016 Zahn Social Impact Prize, and completing our Accelerator Program, Veripad learned more about how to reach their customers in the Google Adopt-a-Startup program. From there, they joined the Merck Accelerator in Kenya, and conducted a pilot study with the Kenyan government in January 2017. After, the team went on to the Philippines to conduct another pilot with Americares.

During their time at MassChallenge, Veripad was featured in stories by Forbes and The Guardian.

MassChallenge is a non-profit organization with a mission to help startups win without taking equity. They envision a creative and inspired society in which everyone recognizes that they can define their future and is empowered to maximize their impact. MassChallenge is obsessed with helping entrepreneurs across any industry. The accelerator awards over $2M in equity-free cash prizes globally every year €“ all to help high-impact and high-potential startups win. We're so happy that Veripad could be part of such an amazing organization.

To read more about MassChallenge's Boston awards and the other startups that won, check out the press release here.

We are very excited to announce that six Zahn startups (Active Hands, dawaCare, Function Cosmetics, nuravine, Ouvos, and Wrkbook) will participate in an Adopt-a-Startup program at Google. Over the next few months, Google mentors and startups will produce a marketing an customer acquisition strategy, with the results shared at a group presentation at Google in early December.

Google mentors will help the startups define their KIPs, achieve set milestones, and utilize Google Analytics and Adwords.

Each startup will work closely with two to three Google mentors. Below is a list of each startups mentors, especially chosen and paired to match the startups specific needs.

Active Hands – Jason Stroot, Chadwick Kales, and Ally Gotz

dawaCare – Jason Leder and Justin Nabozna

Function Cosmetics – Jenna Hovel and Paul Younis

nuravine – Alex Holz and Julianna Gaudio

Ouvos – Dmitry Mazilo, Stephanie Hofmann, and Sahil Khanna

Wrkbook – Michael Sondak, Keith Butler, and Leeor Baskin

Startups meet with their mentors at least once a week. Well share more about this program as we near the finale in December!

This semester we held one of our biggest hackathons yet! On Friday, October 6th, over 50 City College students competed in a hackathon hosted by Nestlé Skin Health SHIELD to create new innovations in skin health. Challenge topics included optimizing outcomes in skin health, quantifying skin wellness, creating medical devices for skin health, and skin health literacy. Although many hackathons require that students create an app or tech product, this hackathon was more open-ended. Students worked in multidisciplinary teams, and were inspired to create not only tech solutions and hardware devices, but educational marketing campaigns and nonprofit organizations as well.

Because of the nature of this exciting hackathon, it brought together students and faculty from different undergraduate and graduate departments from across City College €“ including the School of Medicine and the departments of Branding and Integrated Communications, Computer Science, Business and Economics, Electronic Design and Multimedia, and Translational Medicine €“ to collaboratively dream up solutions to some of the biggest challenges in skin health. Faculty members from these various disciplines joined students at the SHIELD headquarters to help them refine their ideas and pitch decks.

We were also fortunate to work with Nestlé SHIELD, a team of innovators eager to share their expertise with the next generation of leaders. Nestlé SHIELDs staff and broader community came together to offer mentor hours throughout the day, and coach students on topics ranging from branding to coding and finance. For Lindsay Siegel, our Executive Director, the opportunity to collaborate with SHIELDs Medical Director and Head of Medical Innovation, Dr. Warren Winkelman, himself a City College graduate, was a tremendous inspiration. We believe his dedication to his alma mater inspired some of the great ideas that came out of the hackathon, because the greatest gift is having someone believe in you.

The ideas presented at the Hackathon did not disappoint. Out of the 13 teams that presented, judges chose two second place winners–one, a sunblock that develops creative ways to tell you its time to reapply; and two, environmentally friendly packaging for medications to be sent to natural disaster victims. They won $1,000 collectively. The first place team, who will receive $3,000 and a chance to collaborate with SHIELD to advance and develop their concept, developed an app that allows consumers to better understand whats in their skincare products.

All thirteen teams that competed in the hackathon will receive fast-track status in our upcoming Startup Competition, meaning that if they apply, their applications will go straight to the judging round. Were excited to see if some of these teams pursue the competition so that we can keep you updated on their progress! For information about the application, visit zahncenternyc.com/apply

In the next month and a half, you'll be hearing a lot about our Annual Startup Competition as we call for applications for the 2018 cohort. A lot of you may be wondering, why should I apply to the Zahn Center's Startup Competition? What will it do for me? The answer, of course, is different for everyone. However, we hope to shed some light on why some of the entrepreneurs in our community applied in the first place, and what they got out of our program.

In this blog you'll hear from Elizabeth Bitis, Co-Founder of FxN Cosmetics, a startup that competed in last year's competition in the Social Impact track, and was accepted into our Accelerator Program. She'll share the four life lessons she learned from entrepreneurship.

I started experimenting with makeup in high school. It was a copious amount of heavy eyeliner; contour wasnt a thing back then and I had no idea how to create a wing. Fast forward to the beginning of college, a lot of YouTube videos, an excessive amount of trial and error, and I finally got the hang of it. After diving into the beauty industry, following the trends, experimenting with different things, I was hooked. It was literally a fantasy of mine that one day I would be like the YouTube stars and create my own line of makeup, and here I am three years later starting my own cosmetics line.

I first heard about the Zahn Center through a mentor of mine that transferred from working for admissions to being part of the team at the center. Then my friend was part of one of the startups that was competing in the competition and I followed her journey through the adventures of entrepreneurship.

During this time many people were affected by random slashings in the NYC area, including one of my friends from City College. Although we had drifted apart from the beginning of college, whenever I saw her she was a beam of light, always happy and cheerful. It was then that I got the idea of a foundation that would help her improve the appearance of her scar while still covering it up.

It was definitely not an easy journey, however, I am beyond grateful for the support from the wonderful people at the Zahn Center. If I were to try to do this completely on my own, I would have given up before I even started.

Along the way I learned some lessons that spread beyond entrepreneurship.

Teamwork. Surround yourself with individuals that share your vision and are just as driven as you are. The attitude and the motivation around you really affect the way you work and grind. Your team must be encouraged and have an interest. There must be a flow, friendship, and it has to be fun. Of course it will be stressful but it has to be overall enjoyable. If you dread doing the things you have to do to get things done like meetings, pitching, brainstorming, and pivoting, then you will not get the most out of the experience. This is the backbone of your company. Each person has a job, has a responsibility that is crucial to the success of your company. It teaches you responsibility. Your work is no longer just a representation of you, but your team and your company.

Support. Make sure you have support. I felt like giving up so many times.  I would think this will never work, this is pointless, and this wont go anywhere but I had so many people behind me pushing me, supporting me, encouraging me. Yes I can, and yes you can. The Zahn Center is your number one fan. They want to see you succeed; they will literally do anything and everything to help you. They were my most important support and helped me make connections that would later continue that support. Your friends and family are also extremely important during this time. You will have long nights, and early mornings to get things done, but when you have people empowering you, it makes it just a tad bit more bearable. I would brainstorm with my friends and get them to get other people to do interviews and trials as well. I would ask my mom who would then in turn ask her friends and so on. Your friends and family are your best networking system. Use it.

Organization and Time Management. As college students this is something we constantly hear. To be honest I still dont apply this to my schoolwork, but when starting a business this is one of the most important things. Everything has to be in its place. Your calendar will be absolutely full with meetings, workshops, events and deadlines, and as harsh as it may sound, if you miss one of these things it could hinder your business ability to advance. One workshop that you forgot about could have helped you figure out a new way of obtaining customers, or a meeting you werent prepared for could mean that you lost a potential investor. You want to constantly work forward. You did a lot of work last week, thats great, but now do even more this week. You want to constantly meet those deadlines, those milestones, and most importantly those goals you set for yourself. There is no snail pace allowed in entrepreneurship.

Confidence. My mentor, Namisha Bahl, VP of Marketing at Mogul, told me something that really was something I had to hear. Nobody will talk you up as much as you do yourself. You are your biggest fan and motivator. You have to believe in yourself. You will obviously have other people who will love what you are doing and believe in you, but in reality, if you dont believe in yourself, how can you expect anyone else to? As a woman in business and STEM, the reality is I will be put down; I will be told my idea is not good enough, I will be told I am not good enough, but I will not give up.

When you start building something you get a rush of empowerment. I definitely felt like I was doing something amazing, I was doing something that could possibly change peoples lives. I was meeting amazing people. I met with the CEO of Stowaway Cosmetics who solved the problem of finding the right-sized makeup, as well as the Senior Medical Director and Head of Medical Innovation for Nestle SHIELD. The amount of brilliance and encouragement from fellow entrepreneurs is immeasurable. Its like you are joining a family of invention and originality. I met with women and men who shared their stories with me and thought that my product could really help them, which just pushed me to keep going, get this business up and running, and try to help those people.

My point is go for it. If you have an amazing idea to solve a problem that you think is important, create it. You will be faced with problems because nothing is perfect the first time around, however, you will be met with amazing support, ideas, people, opportunities, and satisfaction to figure it out. Do not wait for someone else to come up with it, do not wait for a job you might like, do not wait. Create it. Create something that can help people, create something that can change the world. Create that dream job youve always wanted, run your own business, be your own boss. It will not be something you regret. You will gain skills and experiences; you will create connections and opportunities for yourself and for others. I think the most important thing I gained out of this was a new sense of meaning as well as satisfaction with what Im doing and who I am.

The only question left is what are you waiting for?

If you're interested in applying, don't forget to check out zahncenternyc.com/apply.

Have you secured your ticket for our Accelerator Demo Day yet? If not, you'll miss out on some new things happening in the maker space.

That's because half of the startups in our Summer Accelerator program are also part of the Futureworks NYC Incubator in the “Market Validation” cohort. As part of this cohort, startups work to understand their market fit, refine business plans, and explore funding options. Futureworks connects these teams to the Incubator's alumni and mentors, and also creates workshops and summits that are designed for startups in this stage. The following Zahn startups are part of Futureworks:

Active Joints (previously Active Hands) – A quantified remote therapy device for hip and knee replacement therapy. They have successfully completed their efficacy trials at Burke Rehabilitation and are being courted by ElabNYC, Mt Sinai, and angel investors.

Ouvos (previously Quark) – A situational awareness IoT device for cyclists that combines turn by turn directions with accelerometer data, road congestion data and a backup sensor to “score” routes for safety and comfort. Their solution allows for incorporation into self-driving car navigation data to make sure both the cyclists and the burgeoning automotive automation market can be as aware as possible about the vehicles that are on the road with them. They are getting ready to ramp up production for their Kickstarter campaign.

Nuravine (previously SyStem) – An agtech startup with their first product locked down for distribution in 10% of the 2800 hydroponics stores serving their initial audience.

Since the beginning of the summer, Futureworks has worked closely with each team to help them produce locally, recruit talent, streamline operations, tell their stories, and set them up to raise capital.

You'll see how Active Joints, Ouvos, and Nuravine have progressed since then at tomorrow's Demo Day. Make sure you get your free ticket: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/zahn-center-accelerator-demo-day-tickets-3…

Futureworks provides hardware startups and entrepreneurs with expert mentorship, a cohort of peers, workshops, and company showcase opportunities. Participating entrepreneurs also receive direct access to manufacturers, investors, production credits, and coworking spaces. Learn more about their incubator program here: http://futureworks.nyc/incubator/#toggle-id-3

Sometimes chasing the American Dream is the only option you have. The following is a reflection on entrepreneurship, as told by Cris Mercado, CCNY alumnus and founder of  KeyJargon, a free web app that connects college students and professionals with career opportunities. Cris will share more about his journey on a panel of entrepreneurs at our upcoming Accelerator Demo. 

I had not choice but to become an entrepreneur, and startup life has served me well.

Immigration issues left me with no options to get a decent job, so in 2014 I took the leap and formed a company called GrantAnswers. I wanted to build on my success in helping hundreds of underserved Black & Latino students in NYC ascend to college and earn $1.5 million in scholarships & grants. 

The problem was that I didnt know how run a startup. I was supposed to be an engineer coming out of high school, not an entrepreneur. No one in my family started their own business. I was a broke, first-generation entrepreneur.

Whenever we feel lost, we often have no choice but to go home. CCNY is home for me, and I learned it had a new addition: The Zahn Center. Even better, it was offering money for a social entrepreneurship competition. So I practiced my video submission for the contest in a room beneath The Great Hall at CCNY. Weeks later, I was invited to the bootcamp to develop my idea and compete.

One of my first tasks was to pitch my idea in front of the other entrepreneurs. I hated public speaking, but I had no choice. I had no choice but to hear feedback from mentors, Zahn Center staff, venture capitalists and fellow competitors. I was introduced to lean entrepreneurship methods, which forced me to go out and talk to strangers to validate my idea.

The idea won a runner-up prize with some much-needed cash, but I soon realized I won something bigger:

I won back some of the personal potential that was buried under years of poverty, housing insecurity & status as an unauthorized immigrant.

It is no wonder that in just 2 years after having no choice but to start a business I have:

1. Been featured in major outlets like The Wall Street Journal, NBC;
2. Become active in immigrant rights as Ambassador & Innovation Council Member of FWD.us, an advocacy organization founded by tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg;
3. Been called into meetings with Members of Congress, and Presidential Candidates like Hillary Clinton, to contribute to immigration policy;
4. Invited to keynote conferences & presentations across the country

I now run a free career platform KeyJargon, a free web app that connects college students and professionals with memberships to industry associations, career events, and high-profile jobs, internships & fellowships. It recently won a FUSE award, which is supported by luminaries like Univisions Jorge Ramos.

In designing KeyJargon, the theme of no/little choice is still visible. We only list high-impact industry networks and career events. We also prime you to sign-in to access the high-impact jobs, internships, and fellowships we share. We also came up with a tagline, On My Terms, to empower our users to feel like the world has no choice but to pay attention to their skills, their values, and their dreams.

We helped dozens of college students earn free memberships to professional associations, and even helped cover costs for CUNY students to travel to Las Vegas for a national convention where students secured job offers. Our partnerships have helped us provide career development for hundreds, including cohorts for NYCs Tech Talent Pipeline.

And when I think of all the impact of KeyJargon, and the impact that entrepreneurship has had on my personal development, it all came about simply because I saw no other choice.

In these times, and at this moment, I see no other choice but for you to unleash all the potential you have.

Sometimes your future doesn't pan out as you expected (and sometimes you're surprised to learn that the unexpected is exactly what you needed). The following is a reflection on entrepreneurship, as told by Revital Schechter, a founding member of Gleam (a 2016 Zahn startup). Revital will share more about her journey on a panel of entrepreneurs at our upcoming Accelerator Demo. 

The most common stories of successful entrepreneurs often start with anecdotes of their childhood. A story about how they started hustling at the age of 8, setting up well-organized garage sales and making hefty profits (in the eyes of a child), or how they were constantly tinkering with new inventions, or maybe how they hit it big with an eBay shop. As much as I would love to say I was that hustler 8-year-old, I wasnt. I did not even come close. Instead, I sat by my older brother as he tackled entrepreneurship in the early days of elementary school. I watched him grow into the CEO of his own startup while I was in high school, and I always thought this was the exact definition of an entrepreneur. So if you had asked me during my freshman year of college whether I considered myself an entrepreneur, I would have laughed and quickly replied no. In my eyes, I did not fit the bill of an entrepreneur – I did not have any inventions or products to offer.

When I first heard about the Zahn Innovation Center during my freshman year, I was inspired and motivated but I made the mistake of not taking advantage of what was right at my fingertips. I believed that because I didnt have an idea or a solution for a problem, I was not an entrepreneur. Fast forward a few months later, my roommate brought up an idea that she had to help make mental health care more accessible. She was interested in applying to the Zahn Center and was putting together a team to apply to the annual venture competition. Without a second thought, I signed up and began an adventure with her that changed my life entirely.

The next 2 years were the most thrilling, challenging, confusing, and memorable years I have ever had. I joined a team of strangers, got thrown into a cohort of brilliant and inspiring individuals, and made the Zahn Center my home. And so, Gleam was born. We were on a mission to use technology to make mental health care more accessible in low income communities by easing the burden on mental health workers.

Looking back on it, I always find it difficult to condense what Ive learned from my journey with Gleam. There is so much that happened in a very brief period of time that boiling it down to 3 points may not do it justice. Nevertheless, here is a glimpse of what the entrepreneurial life is like:

Problem Solving (to the max) – As with many startups, I was working on creating a solution that did not exist yet. This was not a textbook problem from one of my class assignments which had a step-by-step procedure and a clear formula. It was a daily challenge of working together to figure out what a solution could look like, how could we achieve it, and understanding if it would it make the impact we wanted it to have. This was unchartered territory and we were forced to think outside of the box and to push the limits of our creativity in order to create a product. Simultaneously, it was a flood of crash courses on finance, advertising, design, engineering, business development, and other various topics. We did not have the resources to hire experts in these fields – so we became the experts that our company needed. And for those days where we did not have the expertise we needed, we had an army of mentors and advisors and to support us.

Roller Coaster – This is perhaps my favorite term to describe the startup life. It is filled with incredible highs – the launch of your product, the completion of beta testing, signing on your first client. But it is also filled with lows – scrapping the third iteration of your product, getting negative reviews, sleepless nights, and barely having money in your bank account. The greatest milestones you reach are memories that you will keep with you forever, and more importantly you will also remember the bad days. But its the hard times that are the most valuable experiences because that is what helps you grow and change as a person and as an entrepreneur.

Friendship – Your team will quickly become your family. After spending so many hours every day with them and experiencing the wins and losses as your startup grows, you will never be closer with another group of people. My teammates were strangers to me in the beginning, but today they are my mentors, my inspiration and my confidants and my family. We have held each other up during the lowest points of our journey and celebrated together for every success. I was able to see each one of my teammates grow so much, and I have no words to express how proud of them I am.

If you have ever thought about pursuing the startup life, do not wait another day. For those of you who are thinking about bringing your idea to life – go for it now. For those who were like me and do not have an idea for a product but still want to be in a startup – find that person with an idea and work with them. Talk to one another about your dream or a problem that you may have noticed in your community because its from these conversations that you may meet your partner in crime with whom youll build a great company.

The moral of the story is that whether your startup becomes the next Facebook, or if it never reaches a single customer, youve succeeded. The experiences you will gain on this journey will carry you through both your professional and personal life. In the end, you will walk out of this having gained so many skills, friends, mentors, and enough memories to last a lifetime. Challenge your preconceived notions of what entrepreneurship is and go experience it for yourself.

Do you know who the #bossgirls are?

Theyre the ten high school and college freshmen disrupting the norm this summer at the Zahn Center. As part of the womens entrepreneurship initiative sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, weve debuted a new program designed to introduce girls to entrepreneurship and innovative technology.

This unique program combines our lean startup methodology bootcamp with elements of STEM. While theres a focus on entrepreneurship and developing business acumen, these students are also learning coding and complete prototyping workshops in our Maker Lab.

Over the course of six weeks, the #bossgirls will team up to create tech-focused solutions for some of New York Citys greatest challenges including:

Sustainability – one team wants to protect properties from mold & other symptoms of flooding

Education — these #bossgirls will inform middle and high school students of career opportunities

Accessibility — this team's focus is on making the MTA more accessible for those with mobility challenges

Healthcare — theyll tackle the spread of pathogens in hospitals and urgent care facilities

Cool, right?

Yes, they receive mentorship from experts at Standard Chartered Bank, but they also have mentors within the startups at the Zahn Center and our Superuser (an apprenticeship opportunity out of our MakerLab) program. Best of all, theyre learning a human-centered design approach to social entrepreneurship, as well as conducting customer research, so that they can create solutions that New Yorkers really want. Its a collaborative effort that weaves together different disciplines, creating a curriculum that is both explorative and practical. In the end, we hope it helps to cultivate those unicorn-like ideas.

Our #bossgirls hail from each of the five boroughs (plus Long Island and Northern New Jersey), and theyre very excited to make their mark Silicon Alley. On August 14th, theyll pitch their final projects to a panel of judges Shark Tank-style. Follow us day of on social media @ZahnCenterNYC for updates!

As many of you know, one of our core values is supporting women founders through the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Incubator. Besides bringing prominent women speakers to the City College of New York, and establishing a competition built specifically for women-led teams, Standard Chartered helps us open up doors and networking opportunities for our women entrepreneurs. One of the recent examples of this was attending the Anita Borg Institute's 2nd Annual Women's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Summit here in New York.

The Anita Borg Institute (ABI) for Women and Technology is a nonprofit organization founded by computer scientist Anita Borg. The institutes primary aim is to recruit, retain, and advance women in technology. The institutes most prominent program is the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Conference, the worlds largest gathering of women in computing. ABI was founded on the belief that women are vital to building technology that the world needs. It was their founder that said, “Around the world, women are not full partners in driving the creation of new technology that will define their lives. This is not good for women and not good for the world….Women need to assume their rightful place at the table creating the technology of the future.” Today, ABI works with women technologists in over 50 countries, and partners with leading academic institutions and Fortune 500 companies.

The 2nd Annual Women's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Summit brought together women entrepreneurs, investors, professionals, students, and community members for workshops on topics ranging from how to manage conflict at work to a discussion about investment in women-led companies. Two of our own founders–Reylyn Roldan (of Gol) and Leila Hessam (of Enrich)–attended the summit and shared their thoughts.

Both young women were especially inspired by the workshop on imposter syndrome, led by founder of the Collective of Us, Cyndie Spiegel. “The discussion around imposter syndrome was very powerful. It was incredible to hear that ‘fear is not real,' but only a feeling. As an entrepreneur, I know it's inevitable to not fear something, and that it does have physical effects (pit in your stomach, sweating, etc.), but that you can take action in spite of it. You can take that fear and leverage it, use it to your advantage.”

Leila agreed. “As someone about to graduate from college, I feel like I'm in limbo. I don't know exactly what my next journey in life will be, and with that uncertainty comes a bit of fear.” Leila was impressed with the summit's ability to incorporate advice for all “levels.” She shared, “Sometimes I go to conferences and workshops and they're either tailored to students or professionals, not usually both. What I liked about this summit is that they incorporated a track for every type of person, whether you were a student looking to get into entrepreneurship or tech, or someone making a career change, this was the place for you.”

Both young entrepreneurs also enjoyed listening to more specific discussions. Reylyn, who leads Gol, a social enterprise initiative aimed at alleviating the water crisis in the developing world, was excited to hear Anie Akpe. Her discussion about how to get into the social enterprise space was enlightening to Reylyn. “I really enjoyed how she talked about social impact,” said Reylyn. “She said ‘social innovation doesn't happen here, it happens in the third world.' That hit home for me. Often, we get caught up in our own notions of what others need, that we forget what the real problem is.”

Reylyn was also impressed with Anie Akpe's ability to ask for exactly what she needed. She explained that when working for a social enterprise, you'll have to get creative about how to use your network to help your clients. Instead of asking for donations, she asks for skills–workshop leaders, finance help, etc.–which gets her more in the long run.

For a full recap of the workshops and discussions at the summit, you can still watch the livestream here: https://livestream.com/internetsociety/weif17/videos

While the 2017 cohort is deep in our own Summer Accelerator Program, one of last years standouts, VERIPAD, began their journey at MassChallenge, the worlds largest Accelerator.  

MassChallenge is branded as the most startup-friendly Accelerator on the planet. According to their website, theyre a non-profit organization on a mission to help startups win without taking equity. Since 2010, theyve accelerated 1,211 startups who have collectively raised $1.8B in funding, $700M in revenue, and created 60,000 jobs in MassChallenges five markets (Boston, Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, and the UK). While they dont focus on any specific industry or type of startup, the 128 selected to participate in their Boston Accelerator this summer are categorized into the following sectors: healthcare and life sciences; high tech; general, retail and consumer goods; social impact; and cleantech and energy.

We sat down with VERIPADs Co-Founder/Chief Administrative Officer, Y-Lan Nguyen, about what the biotech startup has been up to since their time at the Merck Accelerator in Kenya.

Zahn Center: Its so nice to get to sit down with you! The VERIPAD team has been working out of Zahn lately, but I feel like we barely get to catch up. Every time we do, VERIPAD has exciting news! So tell me about MassChallenge.

Y-Lan Nguyen: I know! You always lose track of time when youre in a startup. We applied in March, and May is when we had the second round of judging in person. I remember, it was the day we came back from the Philippines, and our interview slot was at 7:30am in Boston. We had to take a bus at midnight the night before in order to get there. We pretty much got off the plane and onto a bus.

ZC: Oh wow. Thats dedication. So how did you find out about MassChallenge and why did you decide to apply?

YN: We found out about MassChallenge from Lindsay [Siegel, Executive Director of the Zahn Innovation Center]. At first, we werent sure of our own commitments for the summer, and didnt want to apply unless we were sure one of us could be there close to full time. I guess we figured wed just figure it out, and now here we are.

ZC: So youre all headed to Boston for the summer?

YN: Ill be there pretty much full time, and were trying to figure out if someone else can join me.

ZC: Thats exciting! Your co-founders went to Kenya last summer, so I guess its a trade off? Speaking of…what have you been working on since you wrapped up the Merck Accelerator?

YN: Since Kenya, weve been focused on partner and customer outreach. We started our pilot with Americares in the Philippines. We went to the office and trained the local staff on how to use our product. We also set up a post-market surveillance system for now. Theyll send anything suspicious to us to do more testing in the lab, and if it does turn out to be dangerous or counterfeit, we would be responsible for reporting it to the local authorities there.

ZC: Thats incredible, Im so glad to hear that youre starting another pilot. Are you still active in Kenya?

YN: Were still working on our partnerships in Kenya, and working with the national quality and control organizations there, plus their version of the FDA. We hope that well do a pilot with that organization soon too!

ZC: Ive also heard youve been in other exciting meetings?

YN: Weve been meeting a lot of people. Right now, I cant talk specifics, but were talking to some large pharmaceutical companies for possible collaborations Theyre looking to hear about the Philippines pilot. These companies have a global reach, which would be wonderful.

ZC: Absolutely, that would help tremendously.

YN: In the meantime, were going to a lot of conferences and doing presentations–its our best marketing practice right now because people in the industry get to hear about us first hand. Bishoy and Da Wi went to Pioneers Festival in Vienna and met a lot of great people there.

ZC: It must get expensive to travel, although its necessary for what you do. How do you deal with that?

YN: Its definitely difficult. For this instance in particular, Merck sponsored us. Were super grateful for that. For other conferences, we just have to make sure we allocate the funds. MassChallenge doesnt give any funding to the end, so it was tough to organize our finances for it, but some experiences are just worth it in the long run.

ZC: Do you think youll apply to other programs in the future?

YN: Were applying to a bunch of stuff for the Fall. MassChallenge goes until November, but the major events are in the summer, so well have more time to do other programs then. We recently presented at Yales Global Health and Innovation Conference–in the social impact track–so well continue to try to get into conferences like that. Its invaluable to be around other people in the industry.

ZC: Absolutely. Im sure you learn so much from other people in the space. Im curious, though, anything youve learned so far from the Americares pilot?

YN: For now Ive just observed some things. For example, the pharmacists tend to receive more education than the pharmacists in Kenya; theres just more education required before you become a pharmacist in the country. In some ways, that makes it easier to train the staff.

ZC: So you expect to find a lot of counterfeit medications?

YN: Were just in Manila for now, but were expecting the medications that come in for disaster relief in the more rural areas to be where the problems are. Well see. Theres always this hope that we dont find any, that everyone is getting the medication they deserve, but then they wouldnt need us.

ZC: Haha, I know what you mean. At least youre there and helping to resolve this issue, though. That has to give you some hope.

YN: It does. As a social impact company, were really just trying to create change and make people's lives better.

ZC: You are. Trust me, you are.

We'll share more updates on VERIPAD and other Zahn Center alumni soon. In the meantime, keep up with them on Instagram @veripad.

For the next ten months, were teaming up with Futureworks NYC to become a Futureworks Shop, and create programs that make advanced manufacturing more accessible to New Yorks entrepreneurs. Together with the NYCEDC, SecondMuse, Imagination in Space and our fellow Futureworks Shops throughout the city (go ahead and check €˜em out)–

• A/D/O
• Brooklyn Fashion + Design Accelerator
• Bronx Innovation Factory
• Collab
• Craftsman Ave
• NEW INC
• NYDesigns
• Voodoo Manufacturing

–were working to provide subsidized prototyping, production, coworking, and incubation for advanced manufacturing entrepreneurs.

Futureworks Shops provides New Yorkers with prototyping and production credits, access to coworking opportunities, studio time, mentorship, and events across the city. At each of the Shops, youll find advanced manufacturing machinery, an engaged, supportive community, and expert leaders.

Futureworks NYC is a key component of the Citys Industrial Action Plan to help emerging and existing manufacturers promote, adopt, and create advanced technologies and increase local production. To ensure these technologies are made accessible to all New Yorkers, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) created Futureworks NYC as a platform of shared resources from educational programming to access to equipment and space, and connections within the growing community.

Throughout the next ten months, well participate in lunch meetings with our fellow “shops,” attend workshops, and host some of our own. Be sure to check our social media for updates within the Futureworks Shops community.

If youre not already familiar with the prototyping services that we offer, you can check them out here.

The seven startups in our Summer Accelerator are off to a solid start. Last week was a busy week! Each startup met with mentors who will guide them through tough decisions this summer. Many of the mentors are entrepreneurs themselves–some have even come through our program. We were lucky to have the VERIPAD team with us, Build on the Go, Localtarian, and more. Other mentors are CCNY alumni with years of experience in business and other related fields, like Frank Jones.

Last Tuesday, startups also met with investors who have given them guidance as to what they might look for in a young startup. Representatives from Litchfield Capital, Ciel Capital, Soundboard Angel Fund, Elab, Microsoft, ScienceVest, and Techstars all met with the entrepreneurs one on one.

That day, we also heard from Howard Morgan of First Round Capital and CCNY class of 1965. It's because of Howard Morgan's generosity that we're able to support the Accelerator Program, by providing each of the teams with a stipend so that they can forego summer jobs or other opportunities. We also heard from Zahn Center Board Chairman, CCNY alum and Chairman of Sandata Technologies, Bert Brodsky. Bert Brodsky shared his experiences as an entrepreneur himself with the cohort.

On Wednesday, our founders met with legal consultants from Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, LLC, to discuss any legal concerns and learn how to draft contracts and other official documents.

Finally, on Thursday, the startups met their BNY Mellon mentors. This is the second year that experts from BNY Mellon will work directly with our startups in the Accelerator. Their employees have volunteered their time to meet with our founders weekly to work on their financial projections. At the end of the Accelerator, each startup will present to BNY Mellon in a mini-competition.

After startups met their mentors, we stayed at BNY Mellon to walk through a critical path workshop. The goal was to get all the “issues” out on paper so that each team could remove any road blocks keeping them from succeeding this summer.

This week, startups settled into the first “normal” week of the Accelerator Program. They mostly work on their own at the Zahn Center, while attending workshops (on Sales, Marketing, Software, and Hardware). They also meet with their mentors from BNY Mellon and Wilkie Farr, as well as report weekly to their assigned Zahn Center staff mentor. We can't wait to update you throughout the summer on their progress.

We told you the excitement wouldnt stop at the Final Pitch! Today, were thrilled to announce the ten startups that will participate in our Summer Accelerator Program:

SnapPitch: an electronic baseball strike-zone designed to improve pitching performance through data-driven progress tracking

Quark: a device that enhances safety for cyclists 

Runr: an-campus delivery service for students, faculty, and staff

Wrkbook: a platform that connects contractors with skilled laborers

dawaCare: a patient engagement service focusing on follow-up care in developing nations

UB Cream: makeup for trauma victims that covers and heals scars

SyStem: a computer garden that grows food without soil or harmful chemicals

Enrich : a website/app to help parents seamlessly find and rate after school programs for children

Active Hands: a tracking device that assesses the movements of people with cerebral palsy and other neurological diseases

Gol: customized water filtration solutions for underserved communities in the developing world

During the ten-week Accelerator, each startup will receive a $10,000 stipend so that at least two members from each team can dedicate 40 hours a week to the program. Startups will work towards individual milestones with specific end goals that could include acceptance into a top tier accelerator program or seed/angel round investment. Theyll receive access to expert mentors and will gain introductions to closed-door meetings with senior advisors, investors, and business partners specifically chosen to meet their needs.

There will also be an educational component to the program in the form of daily workshops, as well as tailored consulting from Zahn staff. Startups will spend the summer conducting further market research and finishing their prototypes, all while developing a clearer understanding of their business from a financial perspective. Each team will receive individual help applying for grants, contracts, and other competitions. Experts from BNY Mellon, Wilkie Farr, and Google will mentor startups throughout the program.

If you'd like to become a mentor for our Accelerator cohort, please fill out the form at the bottom of our Mentorship Page: http://www.zahncenternyc.com/mentorship/

Well share their progress live on social media throughout the summer, so make sure you follow us @ZahnCenterNYC for updates!

We can't begin to summarize the incredible experience that was the 2017 Final Pitch Night. A special audience of one hundred guests watched in awe as eight startups gave it their all and pitched for the chance to win the grand prizes in each of the four categories. To us, everyone was a winner last night. And as our Director Lindsay Siegel put it, we revere our students and we find them all inspiring. They are the truest entrepreneurs because for them, it's never about the money, it's about the causes they're supporting, the problems they want to solve, the people they want to help, and the fact that this is their chance to prove themselves. This is their chance to have a voice.

But, there can only be four grand prize winners. It is with great excitement that I announce the top startups in each category:

Zahn Tech:

Wrkbook, a platform that connects contractors with skilled laborers won the grand prize for this category, sponsored by the Moxie Foundation. The Wrkbook team includes William De Andrade, an undergrad pursuing a degree in Economics at CCNY; Yuk Kee Chang, a sophomore computer engineering major; and Eric Wiener, a senior at the High School for Math, Science and Engineering on City College's campus. William was inspired by his father, a local contractor, to develop Wrkbook. With $25,000, the team will be sure to finish development of their app and reach a broader customer base.

Zahn Social Impact:

SyStem, a computer garden that grows food without soil or harmful chemicals, won the grand prize of $25,000 for this category. The Zahn Social Impact prize is also sponsored by the Moxie Foundation, and supports social enterprises or ventures with environmental stewardship at their core. The SyStem team is made up of Adrian Logan and Alex Babich, both computer engineering students at CCNY. They consider SyStem the future of food, and are inspired by the current state of the environment to come up with smarter ways to grow food. We're excited to see how SyStem develops this summer!

Standard Chartered Women + Tech4NYC:

City LABscape, a hands-on indoor agriculture-based STEM education initiative won first place in this category and $25,000. The track, sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, encourages women-led technology ventures to create solutions for issues specific to New York City. The City LABscape team is made up of Wei Zhang and Jorge Burgos, senior architecture students, as well as Sabrina Cohn, a sophomore studying environmental engineering. The prize money will help them reach more students, as they plan to pilot their program with more middle schools in the area. This summer, they also plan to test their prototype with families who homeschool their children.

Kaylie Hardware:

Active Hands, a monitoring device that enables patients to take the clinic home with them, won the Kaylie Hardware Prize for $50,000. This prize is an endowment sponsored by City College alum Harvey Kaylie, founder of Mini Circuits. The Active Hands team is made up of biomedical engineering students Amanda Bernstein, Ralph Hertz, Sam Tran, and Ankush Thakur; their team is rounded out by expert salesman Mark Hase. With $50,000, Active Hands will accelerate production of their prototype for an upcoming trial they plan to conduct with physical therapy patients this summer.

These winning startups were chosen by four separate panels of elite judges, one for each track. Judges included Howard Morgan, Co-Founder of First Round Capital; Minerva Tantoco, former CTO of New York City and Advisor at Future Perfect Ventures; Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Cheif at Entrepreneur Magazine; Peter Zahn, President of the Moxie Foundation; and Bert Brodsky, distinguished alum and Owner of Sandata Technologies, Inc. Other expert judges included Gilda Barabino, Scott Cohen, Richard Kerby, Amar Rathor, Chris Reim, Alice Rodd O'Rourke, and Kimberly Yarnell.

We are so thankful for those who joined us in supporting these outstanding startups last night (and for those who were there in spirit!). In the upcoming months, we'll work closely with these startups to maintain goals and meet specific milestones. We cannot wait to share their progress with you, but in the meantime, check back next week for some exciting news about our Summer Accelerator!

We're still in a flurry from yesterday's excitement at Demo Day! Hundreds of students, faculty, and community members came out to support CCNY startups by voting for their favorites and discovering new causes to get behind, testing out new apps, playing with prototypes, and learning how technology innovations can make our city a better place. Our CCNY entrepreneurs were hoarse from sharing their ideas with the audience, and reciting their elevator pitches all afternoon!

While the fun was happening outside, our expert panel of judges carefully deliberated inside. By the end of the day, they'd decide the top two startups in each category to move on to the Final Pitch. As you've heard, the startups on display at Demo Day were part of the 2017 Zahn Innovation Center Competition cohort. They've been developing their ideas in a Lean Startup Bootcamp for the past semester, and yesterday's Demo Day marked the first of two events that will determine which teams win prize money totaling $150,000.

The pressure was on. After much deliberation, the judges selected two teams from each of the four categories – Kaylie Hardware, Zahn Social Impact, Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC, and Zahn Technology tracks. These 8 finalist teams will pitch again in front of a select audience tomorrow, May 3rd at 6pm.

Our 8 finalists are€¦

Kaylie Hardware

Active Hands – A tracking device that assesses the movements of people with cerebral palsy and other neurological diseases.

SnapPitch – An electronic baseball strikezone designed to improve pitching performance through data-driven progress tracking.

Zahn Social Impact

dawaCare – A patient engagement service focusing on follow-up care in developing nations.

SyStem – A computer garden that grows food without soil or harmful chemicals.

Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC

City LABscape – Hands-on indoor agriculture-based STEM education.

Enrich – A website/app to help parents seamlessly find and rate after school programs for children.

Zahn Technology

Cyqlo – Cyqlo is a mobile guide for cyclists that provides them with the most convenient way to get around and explore, while ensuring their safety and comfort.

Wrkbook – A platform that instantly connects contractors to skilled laborers.

To support your team and find out who takes home the grand prizes, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@ZahnCenterNYC) on the evening of May 3rd. Well go backstage with the startups, and announce the winners by the end of the night. We'll also announce the winners that YOU selected for the Audience Choice Award, and the startups who will continue on in our Accelerator Program!

If you missed the action at Demo Day, you can catch up on our Facebook page–we recorded some of it live!

With less than a week until Demo Day, Zahn startups are making last minute adjustments to prototypes, finalizing their pitch decks, and ordering stickers and t-shirts with their logos! All of the startups in the 2017 cohort cant wait to show you what theyve been working on this semester. From urban farming STEM education initiatives to regenerative makeup, the startups at Demo Day are sure to inspire.

One team in particular is especially eager to share their mission with you. In this blog, meet Gol, a team of interdisciplinary students that have come together to create customized solutions for areas stricken with the water crisis. Theyre determined to improve water in areas afflicted by water contamination and water-related disease, and are seeking to partner with local and international NGOs who will help them create sustainable business models for these communities.

The Gol team is made up of Rick Matthews and Reylyn Roldan, senior bio-medical engineering students; Noah Gross, a senior economics student; Joseph Chiu, a senior studying mechanical engineering; and Saif Choudhury, a senior english major. Rick, Reylyn, and Noah sat down with me to discuss what theyve learned over the course of the semester, and how empowerment can help solve some of the worlds most pressing issues.

Reylyn Roldan: Ive been part of the Zahn Center for 3 years now, ever since sophomore year when I organized TEDxCUNY at CCNY. Lindsay helps me organize and host TEDx every year, and without her insight and her connections to great speakers, we wouldnt have had such successful events. The competitions were always in my radar, but this year Rick invited me to join him on an idea he had called Gol.

Noah Gross: I first learned about the Zahn Center last semester when Devin came into my investment class. He made the idea of stopping by to share ideas sound really inviting, but I didnt have an idea of my own. Then Reylyn and Rick reached out to me because they needed an Economics student to help with their financial models. I liked the concept of working for a social impact venture, so I joined them.

ZC: So Rick, it seems like you were the ring leader. How did you come up with Gol?

Rick Matthews: Well, I was studying abroad and I was sitting at lunch talking about how the water there tasted different. And from there, we started talking about the global water crisis, or about as much as we new based on the news we read online. We started thinking about all of the problems that come with the water crisis, and initially applied to the competition with a solar powered washing machine that could be used in rural communities. We figured, health, sanitation, access to water, it all goes hand and hand and creates a never-ending cycle of issues.

ZC: I remember when Gol was a washing machine…now youve definitely pivoted.

RM: I think we did more than pivot. When we realized what social impact really meant, we decided to go all in and really solve this problem like a changemaker would. We didnt want to just create something. We wanted to have lasting impact. Now I think we identify was a team of interdisciplinary college students trying to find problems in the world relating to the water crisis. We want to take each community as a unique entity and tailor the solutions.

ZC: Is there a specific community youre focusing on?

RM: Were currently focusing on Bangladesh, which is pretty much the birthplace of water-related diseases, and reaching out to partners who work in that area. But were still learning about other countries. For example, Somalia has a horrible cholera outbreak right now. And other parts of Africa are struggling with famine and drought. Were trying to create a business model that can be adapted for each situation.

ZC: Youve been reaching out to partners? Anyone in particular?

RR: The Zahn Center has been doing a great job connecting us with organizations and mentors who work on social impact internationally. Weve met the leaders of the Cordes Foundation, and theyre helping us make contact with bigger organizations like Grameen Bank.

RM: Yeah, the Zahn Center has been amazing in bringing mentors to us…its essential for us to talk to them and learn from their experiences. We heard Greg Van Kirk of Ashoka speak and Noah and I met with him just last week. He gave us some harsh criticism and really challenged us to think differently and approach the problem in a different way.

NG: I really appreciate the constructive criticism here. Nothing is sugarcoated, theyll push us to tear down our own assumptions so that we can approach everything without bias. You really dont get that kind of tough love anywhere else.

RM: Yeah, weve pivoted so much and weve come a long way, the feedback from mentors and Zahn staff is essential.

ZC: So what exactly is Gol? Or what have you pivoted to?

NG: We recognize a need for a portable water filtration system with a charcoal filter, but we dont see the sustainability (or innovation) in just creating a charcoal water filter for developing nations. We want to allow locals to develop the charcoal themselves, and create a charcoal market. Inspired by agriculture waste initiatives and microloans, we want to give groups of women the capacity to build a small kiln, and with that kiln, collect agriculture waste that can create charcoal. From there, they can sell that to water filter companies or users.

RM: Its more than giving people water filters, its about having a greater impact in their lifestyle. Were empowering women to not only clean the water for their families, but create the material necessary for the filters. Using microloans (or solidarity loans) groups of women in local communities can work together to make a charcoal business. That in itself is sustainable, and it will drive the market.

NG: Essentially, were sparking entrepreneurship within these communities.

RM: Exactly–it supports economic growth in the community.

RR: Its what sets us apart. Other organizations out there give communities filters and expect people to use it. We know thats just a temporary fix to the water crisis.

RM: Were creating the solutions that help contain that fix. Its a living breathing solution, the people affected by the problem have to be involved in the solution.

ZC: What youre talking about is true social impact.

RM: Its ingenious.

ZC: It really is. And its going to create so much impact in places that need it most. Do you have contacts in some of the countries you want to reach?

RR: We definitely want to get on the ground and learn from the communities we hope to serve. We want to learn how they engage with each other and try to figure out how to simplify our solution.

RM: One of our team members is going to Bangladesh this summer. Were establishing contacts there so he can get on the ground running. But its not a water filter thats going to Bangladesh, its our efforts that will create change there.

ZC: Is that why you want to win on Demo Day? So you can get to Bangladesh?

RR: Hahaha yeah, it would definitely help, but the competition isnt the end goal anymore. Weve fallen in love with these issues. This whole process drives us to think outside of the box. Its gotten to the point where we just want to make this happen. Weve come along way, and whether we win or lose, were going to keep going.

RM: Im just excited to tackle the real problem. The Zahn Center has given us the opportunity to explore this problem, learn from it, and develop a solution backed by research. Weve been broken down–or, I guess challenged–since day one. Its a process, but were better off than when we started for sure.

NG: We know that every step back comes with a couple steps forward…or maybe its the opposite.

RM: This issue is complicated, but its social impact. Were empowering individuals to solve their own problems.

RR: Were changing lives.

Meet Gol, and learn more about their social impact initiative at Demo Day on May 1st outside of the NAC from 12-2pm!

We always say to our startups: our job is to make the judges work of choosing winners on Demo Day impossible. No ones really sure whether that quote originated from Kesia or Devin (just to be clear–my vote is with Kesia), but we do know it sums up the time and effort, sweat and tears, each track chair and mentor puts into priming every one of our startups for Demo Day.

Every year, the competition gets tighter and the judges deliberations get longer. This year, weve gathered a powerhouse team to evaluate the 2017 Cohort. Judges include investors, entrepreneurs, political leaders, and educators from top-tier organizations like Google, Golden Seeds, First Round Capital, Deloitte, the Manhattan Borough Presidents Office, and much more.

Together, theyll consider how developed each teams product/service is, their pathway to long-term sustainability, and their go-to-market strategy. There are also specific requirements for each of the four categories, so weve assembled four separate panels of experts–one for each track–to evaluate the 18 teams.

The Kaylie Hardware Prize was developed and sponsored by CCNY Alum Harvey Kaylie, Founder of Mini-Circuits. This category celebrates all things hardware, and qualified startups are building physical products that may or may not include a connected (smart) technology. This year, we chose judges with a vast knowledge of engineering. Some lead incubators and entrepreneurship programs throughout the city with a hardware-focus, and others are hardware startup founders themselves. They include:

• Katey Metzroth, Director, 2M Cities & Lead, Futureworks Incubator
• Mary Howard, Program Manager, eLab NYC
• Joe Barba, Director of Student Entrepreneurship & Engineering Professor, CCNY
• Michael Kim, CTO & Co-Founder, StrongArm Technologies, Inc.
  

The Zahn Social Impact Prize is developed and sponsored by the Moxie Foundation. This category acts as a catalyst for the spread of social entrepreneurship on campus, and encourages students to develop a global perspective on impact. Startups in this category were challenged to build ventures with a sustainable revenue model, whose primary objective is social change or environmental stewardship. They may pursue either a nonprofit or for-profit model, and the judges are advisors and investors in the social impact, or they lead social impact initiatives at large organizations.

• Nate Wong, Social Impact Strategy Manager, Deloitte
• Dean Morris, Program Director, West Harlem Development Corporation
• Jessica Santana, Co-Founder, New York on Tech
• Jessica Feingold, Senior Development Manager, Kiva.org

The Standard Chartered Women + Tech4NYC Prize is sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank as part of the Women in Technology Incubator at the Zahn Center. This year, the category celebrates the role of women in building Silicon Alley. Startups were challenged to leverage technology to address challenges in New York City. By nature, many of the startups in this category have a social impact mission at their core, and may consider nonprofit status in the future. This year's panel of judges is diverse in that it is made up of a politician, an entrepreneur, and an investor, but they are all New Yorkers dedicated to keeping their city on the cutting edge.

• Matthew Washington, Deputy Borough President, Office of the Manhattan Borough President
• Aileen Gemma Smith, CEO & Founder, Vizalytics Technology Incorporated
• Emily Susskind, Managing Director, Golden Seeds LLC
• Marti Correa, Assistant Treasurer, Goodyear

The Zahn Technology Prize is also sponsored by the Moxie Foundation. This category celebrates all aspects of technology, in both software and traditional forms. Startups in this category were challenged to develop ventures that use technology to solve problems otherwise untouched. Their products include transformative new apps, web platforms, database tools, e-commerce sites, or a technological device. This year, we chose judges with a vast knowledge of the latest technologies. Some work directly in the tech field, while others have been long-time investors of technology ventures. They include:

• Lemu Coker, Open Innovation Partnerships Lead, Verizon
• Scott Howard, Founder, Current Consulting & Fellow, Rubicon Venture Capital
• Dominic Le Claire, VP of Sales, Pica9

Together, these judges will decide the fate of 18 startup teams, and decide the two finalists in each category–who will then pitch again on Wednesday, May 3rd for a chance at first and second place prizes totaling $150,000.

But the judges won't be the only ones that have a say in the winners. YOU can choose the audience choice award winners by voting at Demo Day–May 1st at the City College of New York. Come out and support CCNY startups that day, and check out what has these judges so excited. More information can be found here.

Demo Day is just about a week away, and we hope you've been following some of our startups' stories on the blog. You've gone behind the scenes of Runr, dawaCare, Evo, Cyqlo, SnapPitch, SyStem, and Enrich–and aren't you dying to meet the entire 2017 cohort?

We won't be able to share in depth interviews with them all (although there are a few more coming this week!), but you can get a sense for who will be at Demo Day by reading descriptions of all of your favorite CCNY startups below. Some of their names have changed, but they're still equally excited to share their prototypes, apps, and business models with you!

What's your role? At Demo Day, you'll choose one team from each category to win the Audience Choice Award! The winning startups will receive $1,000 from your votes alone. So who will you “invest” in? 

Check out the makers soldering, welding, and 3D printing for the Kaylie Hardware Prize ($50K)!

Active Hands – A tracking device that assesses the movements of people with cerebral palsy and other neurological diseases.

SnapPitch – An electronic pitching target to help baseball/softball pitchers improve accuracy.

5 Senses (was Stimulator, Inc.) – A toy synthesizer that allows children with special needs to stimulate brainwaves while playing.

Quark (was Velo) – A device that enhances safety for cyclists.

You'll get behind the causes the changemakers of the Zahn Social Impact Prize ($25K) are fighting for!

dawaCare (was Camerhealth) – A patient engagement service focusing on follow-up care in developing nations.