Piero's Pitch Takes First Place

PROVO, Utah – Feb 13, 2018 – A live audience, a panel of judges, five teams, and seven minutes to present—the pressure was on and the energy was electric at the third and final round of the Miller Competition Series Business Model Competition.

Hammock shells, an Apple Watch application, friendly robots, and climbing wall panels all came to compete, but it was Piero—a system that opens wheelchair accessible doors with an app—that took first place and the crowd favorite award, winning a total of $5,500.

“Winning was surreal,” says Morgen Glessing, cofounder of Piero. “My team and I attended this competition last year, and we never imagined that just a year later we would go from being quiet observers in the crowd to holding the check for the grand prize on stage!” 

Khione, a hammock that turns into a suspended tent, took second and received $4,500. AllyWatch, an Apple Watch application that monitors the elderly’s vitals, took third and received $3,500. El Robotics, a robot and educational software that teaches autistic children social and developmental skills, took fourth and received $2,500. Megalith, a collection of climbing wall panels for in-home installation, took fifth and received $1,500.

In addition to the funding, the Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology has also provided mentors who use their experiences to help set plans to make measurable progress and avoid common mistakes made among new entrepreneurs. 

“The Rollins Center and the College for Engineering & Technology Advancement Council’s continued guidance has made all the difference,” says Caleb Lystrup, cofounder of Khione. “Thanks to all their help, we have a company vision, a growing team, and several products that add value to people’s lives.”

When scoring the teams, judges analyzed how well the team identified assumptions crucial to its business, designed and carried out tests, took actions based on results, and created a unique value proposition. 

“We’re excited to see over 350 students with a sincere interest in entrepreneurship at the event and are impressed with the caliber of the competitors,” says James McConnaughey, Miller Competition Series co-director.