A Decade of Innovation: Celebrating 10 Years of Student Ventures at the Innovation Expo

The Eller College of Management McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship celebrated a major milestone this year with the 10th annual Innovation Expo, marking a decade of student ventures launched through its signature New Venture Development (NVD) Program.

Held on the University of Arizona Mall, the Expo serves as the public showcase of a team-based experience that brings students, experts and business leaders together to launch something bigger than any textbook or classroom could hold. Here, ideas don’t sit on paper. Students build them.

Open to any U of A undergraduate or graduate student, the NVD Program teaches the principles of entrepreneurship and innovation through hands-on execution. In just one year, participants take a concept from early-stage idea to a developed, tested and launch-ready venture.

Working across disciplines, students collaborate closely with faculty, mentors, industry experts, investors and experienced entrepreneurs. The result is more than a business plan. It’s a mindset shift. One that prepares graduates to lead, think strategically and solve real-world problems in any field.

This year’s Innovation Expo featured ventures spanning health tech, AI-powered software, consumer products, safety solutions and sports innovation, including:

• Scrubala – A premium modern electric dish scrubber engineered to improve kitchen efficiency with industry-advancing features.
• ANKOR – A multi-functional assistive clothing device supporting individuals with limited grip strength or mobility challenges.
• Eara – An open-ear hearing filter that delivers instant speech clarity in noisy environments — without the stigma, bulk or cost of traditional hearing aids.
• FundDraft – An AI-powered platform that helps grant writers identify funding opportunities and draft tailored proposals faster.
• Quadshot – A four-in-one outdoor target game combining football, basketball, soccer and baseball into a single upright structure.
• Barricade Blinds – Dual-use window and door coverings that function as everyday shades and instantly deploy into bullet-resistant barriers during emergencies.
• EvoWipes – Biodegradable, nontoxic antibacterial wipes designed to safely clean everything from hard surfaces to skin.
• Ilium – An ergonomic hip thrust pad that enhances comfort, stability and performance during lower-body training.
• Rabbit – Athletic augmented reality sunglasses that project training metrics like pace and heart rate directly into the user’s field of view.
• Tabi – An effervescent tablet that activates in water, evenly dispersing sustainably sourced coffee for a smooth, flavorful experience.

The program culminates each year in the New Venture Competition—a Shark Tank–style pitch event where teams present their businesses to a panel of judges for the chance to win a cash prize and take the next step toward launch.

Now in its 10th year, the Innovation Expo reflects the McGuire Center’s continued commitment to developing founders who don’t just generate ideas—they bring them to life.