Revolutionizing Space: Ionic Textiles Take Flight in Embry-Riddle Challenge!
Get ready to be inspired! Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University just wrapped up its tenth annual TREP Expo, showcasing a whirlwind of creativity and innovation that had everyone buzzing. From breakthroughs in drone technology to sustainable textile solutions, this event truly exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives within this remarkable university community.
At TREP, students, alumni, faculty, and staff come together to unleash their entrepreneurial potential in a thrilling business competition. Teams pitch their groundbreaking ideas to a panel of seasoned industry experts, all vying for a shot at cash prizes based on critical criteria: commercial viability, innovativeness, and audience appeal. It’s a dynamic platform where dreams can take flight!
This year’s competition, held on November 21st at the scenic Daytona Beach Campus, brought together 26 ambitious venture teams ready to showcase their game-changing concepts.
“The TREP Expo was nothing short of phenomenal,” said Jacob Fleming, a Business Administration student who pitched his exciting healthy energy food product, Slap Strips. “We received invaluable insights from the judges and a wealth of feedback that will help propel our product forward. They say practice makes perfect, and we definitely got our fair share of practice at the expo!”
This year’s event featured two distinct tracks: the Acceleration Track, where teams showcased more developed concepts, including prototypes, and the Incubation Track, which highlighted ventures still in the brainstorming phase from entrepreneurship classes. A special People’s Choice award went to the team that captured the hearts (and votes) of the audience!
“The TREP Expo brilliantly demonstrates the power of hands-on learning,” remarked Dr. Joseph Lakatos, interim director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) and a professor in the Department of Accounting, Economics, Finance & Information Sciences. “It was uplifting to watch engineers embrace a business perspective while business students gained valuable insights into the aerospace and aviation fields. I’m immensely proud of my students who worked tirelessly to make this event a success.”
First Place in the Acceleration Track: IonoCopter ($1,500)
First-year student Andrew Murphy was taken aback by his victory in the Acceleration track. “I started this project just three months ago, and I never thought I’d make it this far,” he said, eyes shining with ambition. His dreams extend to having an office at the Research Park’s MicaPlex.
Introducing the IonoCopter: a patent-pending drone that integrates an ionic propulsion system, which uses electrical charges to propel ionized molecules, creating thrust without any moving parts. “It’s significantly quieter than traditional drones,” Murphy says, showcasing his innovative design.
With his sights set high, Murphy plans further R&D to optimize his quadcopter’s spatial orientation and propulsion performance. This is just the beginning!
Titanborn, represented by undergraduate student Lucas Cohen, earned second place in the Acceleration Track. (Photo: Embry‑Riddle/Ariana Grasso)
Second Place in the Acceleration Track: Titanborn ($1,000)
Enter Titanborn—a groundbreaking MMORPG developed by Beyond Bounds Studios through the tireless efforts of 23 volunteers over six years. This venture aims to change the game for players by offering a voice-acted and animated Minecraft experience, set for open beta launch.
“What started as a passion project in high school has morphed into a vibrant business opportunity,” shared Lucas Cohen, an Aerospace Engineering major. Titanborn is free to play with a Minecraft account and has already gained a community of over 900 early supporters. With funding from the expo, the team is poised to file as a limited liability company and enhance their hardware infrastructure—paving the way for their ambitious vision!
ReThreaded, led by undergraduate student Michelle Garcia, clinched first place in the Incubation Track. (Photo: Embry‑Riddle/Ariana Grasso)
First Place in the Incubation Track: ReThreaded ($500)
Imagine a future where sustainability reigns supreme in the textile industry! ReThreaded is on a mission to transform clothing donations into reusable fabric rolls, ensuring transparency for those donating their garments.
“When people donate their clothes, they should know exactly where they’re going,” stated Samantha Garcia, a Communication major. Along with her creative teammates, they developed this vision during an entrepreneurship class, culminating in a powerful idea that transcends their four-person team.
Garcia found the TREP Expo to be a “rewarding” experience, affirming that they are “on the right path” toward creating meaningful change.
Slap Strips, presented by MBA student Ryan Flournoy and undergraduate student Jacob Fleming, took home second place in the Incubation Track. (Photo: Embry‑Riddle/Ariana Grasso)
Second Place in the Incubation Track: Slap Strips ($250)
Ready for a healthier energy boost? JRK Supplements aims to provide just that with their innovative product, Slap Strips. “We wanted to create an alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste,” said Fleming, highlighting the need for better options in energy products.
Fleming and his best friend, MBA student Ryan Flournoy, turned to their kitchen to develop a caffeinated fruit strip using guaraná seeds, crafted with all-natural ingredients and absolutely no added sugar. “It’s encouraging to see people enjoy our product,” Flournoy said after they cleared out all 75 samples they brought to the expo!
Asteria, represented by Ph.D. student Michelle Aros and master’s student Joseph Anderson, won the People’s Choice Award. (Photo: Embry‑Riddle/Ariana Grasso)
People’s Choice Award: Asteria ($500)
Every year, the expo invites attendees to cast their votes for their favorite venture, and this year, that honor went to Asteria!
Launching in January 2023, Asteria is reimagining space mission design with an intuitive interface that eliminates the need for complex math and programming skills. “Many industry tools rely on technical expertise, which can create barriers,” said Michelle Aros, a Human Factors Ph.D. student and co-lead of the team. “We’re striving to make this accessible for everyone, especially small private space companies seeking agility.”
They’re on track to release their first prototype in January 2025, and the excitement is palpable!
Posted In: Business
