Competition Meets Creativity at McGuire Innovation Expo

Feb. 21, 2020

University of Arizona’s McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship hosted its fourth annual McGuire Innovation Expo on February 13, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Arizona Mall by the student union. The expo included 16 booths showcasing cross-disciplinary student startup teams from the McGuire New Venture Development Program. The event was free and open to the public, and more than 600 students and community members attended.

“The Innovation Expo is a great opportunity for the students to interact with the public and showcase their new ventures,” says McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship Community Relations Coordinator, Ted McGuire. “I always encourage everyone to attend this event to see the new innovations and ideas being developed by students of the McGuire Center.” 

This year, four awards were given out: 

Cultura won the Booth Appeal Award ($500) for designing the most creative and engaging display.Cultura is an online platform that combines travel planning and content creation to share experiences and inspire a global community to connect through adventure.

LoveLadies won the Communication and Fluency Award ($500) for the most persuasive and articulate pitch. LoveLadies is a quarterly subscription box that provides a sustainable solution for feminine care with organic tampons, pads and comfort items shipped in reusable packaging.

Cap and Gown won the Microsoft Social Innovation Award ($500) for the outstanding way it incorporated social responsibility into its venture and explained its community and stakeholder impact. Cap and Gown is a nonprofit online platform that connects students who need funding for college with individual sponsors who donate directly to students in need.

Pulse Fitness won the Investor’s Choice Award ($500) after it received the most votes—or “McGuire Bucks”—from the expo attendees. Pulse fitness incentivizes people to exercise by awarding them with shopping points to spend at local businesses.

Visit the McGuire Center Facebook Page to see photos from the event!