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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>BASIS Independent Schools</title> <atom:link href="https://basisindependent.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://basisindependent.com/</link> <description></description> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 19:53:34 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3</generator> <item> <title>A Total Eclipse Adventure: Mr. Chris’s Journey to Totality</title> <link>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/manhattan/about/blog/a-total-eclipse-adventure-mr-chriss-journey-to-totality</link> <comments>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/manhattan/about/blog/a-total-eclipse-adventure-mr-chriss-journey-to-totality#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[christineklayman]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 12 Apr 2024 18:28:15 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Current Events]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Faculty & Staff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Outdoor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[School Community]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://basisindependent.com/?p=8753</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Our very own 4th Grade Learning Expert Teacher (LET), Mr. Chris, recently embarked on an astronomical adventure! Traveling with his family to Gatesville, Texas, he experienced the awe-inspiring phenomenon of a total solar eclipse and shares it with us here. Mr. Chris’s dedication to this experience reflects his passion for learning and exploration. He brings […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/manhattan/about/blog/a-total-eclipse-adventure-mr-chriss-journey-to-totality">A Total Eclipse Adventure: Mr. Chris’s Journey to Totality</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="532" height="532" class="wp-image-8766" style="width: 150px" align="right" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mr-chris-bball-532.png" alt="Mr. Chris" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mr-chris-bball-532.png 532w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mr-chris-bball-532-300x300.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mr-chris-bball-532-150x150.png 150w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mr-chris-bball-532-75x75.png 75w" sizes="(max-width: 532px) 100vw, 532px" />Our very own 4th Grade Learning Expert Teacher (LET), Mr. Chris, recently embarked on an astronomical adventure! Traveling with his family to Gatesville, Texas, he experienced the awe-inspiring phenomenon of a total solar eclipse and shares it with us here. Mr. Chris’s dedication to this experience reflects his passion for learning and exploration. He brings this same energy to the classroom every day, inspiring his students and colleagues.</p> <p><strong>A Glimpse Through Mr. Chris’s Lens</strong></p> <p>A passionate amateur astronomer, Mr. Chris meticulously planned this trip for a year. Witnessing totality for a breathtaking 4 minutes and 15 seconds was an experience he won’t soon forget. While we can’t fully replicate the magic of the moment, Mr. Chris brings his infectious enthusiasm to life through incredible photos and an engaging video. Read on to hear his first-hand account.</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>This week, a rare celestial event cast a shadow over our part of the world – the awe-inspiring total solar eclipse of 2024! I hope everyone had a chance to safely observe this remarkable phenomenon.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-mr-chris-family-viewing-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8755" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-mr-chris-family-viewing-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-mr-chris-family-viewing-300x225.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-mr-chris-family-viewing-768x576.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-mr-chris-family-viewing-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-mr-chris-family-viewing-702x526.jpg 702w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-mr-chris-family-viewing.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <p>For me, the experience transcended mere observation. I had the incredible fortune of traveling with my family to Gatesville, Texas, where we witnessed totality unfold on a quiet country road, nestled between a cow farm and an army base. Being just outside the direct path, we were still treated to an unforgettable 4 minutes and 15 seconds of complete darkness.</p> <p>I’m excited to share some photos and a video with you, including some stunning close-ups captured by my dad’s telescope. You’ll see details like Baily’s Beads and the sun’s corona, which the telescope rendered in an almost mythical green hue, although that is not the actual color.</p> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex"><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="694" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-1-1-1024x694.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8765" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-1-1-1024x694.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-1-1-300x203.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-1-1-768x520.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-1-1-1536x1040.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-1-1-2048x1387.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="694" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-2-1-1024x694.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8762" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-2-1-1024x694.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-2-1-300x203.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-2-1-768x520.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-2-1-1536x1040.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-2-1-2048x1387.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="694" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-3-1024x694.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8761" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-3-1024x694.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-3-300x203.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-3-768x520.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-3-1536x1040.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-3-2048x1387.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="694" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-4-1-1024x694.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8760" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-4-1-1024x694.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-4-1-300x203.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-4-1-768x520.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-4-1-1536x1040.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-4-1-2048x1387.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="694" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-total-1-1024x694.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8764" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-total-1-1024x694.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-total-1-300x203.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-total-1-768x520.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-total-1-1536x1040.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-total-1-2048x1387.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="694" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-total-2-1-1024x694.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8763" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-total-2-1-1024x694.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-total-2-1-300x203.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-total-2-1-768x520.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-total-2-1-1536x1040.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eclipse-total-2-1-2048x1387.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></figure> <p>In the video, you might hear us mention seeing solar flares. While scientists haven’t recorded any flares during this eclipse, what we witnessed were actually solar prominences – massive, long-lasting structures on the sun’s surface. The largest one in our photos is a staggering 3.5-4 times the diameter of Earth!</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="2024 Total Solar Eclipse by Mr. Chris" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/933830551?dnt=1&app_id=122963" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write"></iframe></div></figure> <p>The sudden drop in temperature and the eerie darkness during totality were truly striking. We had planned to observe the cows’ reactions, but once it hit, we were too busy being awestruck! It was an experience filled with pure wonder and excitement.</p> <p>Sharing this experience isn’t just about how amazing it was, but also about encouraging you to chase your own astronomical adventure. While total eclipses are rare in North America, they occur more frequently elsewhere. Check out <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/">this website</a> to explore the next 15 total solar eclipses. If you ever get the chance to witness totality, don’t hesitate! It’s an experience you won’t forget.</p> <p>Happy stargazing!</p></blockquote> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-normal-font-size"><em>You can meet passionate teachers like Mr. Chris at our upcoming Open Houses and admissions events – <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/manhattan/admissions/visit-our-school/">learn more</a>. He is also hosting a Nature & the City summer program at BASIS Independent Manhattan Lower School – <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/manhattan/student-life/summer-programs/">view details and register here</a>.</em></h2><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/manhattan/about/blog/a-total-eclipse-adventure-mr-chriss-journey-to-totality">A Total Eclipse Adventure: Mr. Chris’s Journey to Totality</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/manhattan/about/blog/a-total-eclipse-adventure-mr-chriss-journey-to-totality/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Class of 2024 Acceptances to Date</title> <link>https://basisindependent.com/schools/va/mclean/about/blog/class-of-2024-acceptances-to-date</link> <comments>https://basisindependent.com/schools/va/mclean/about/blog/class-of-2024-acceptances-to-date#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[weitoker]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 10 Apr 2024 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Academics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[College Acceptances]]></category> <category><![CDATA[College Counseling]]></category> <category><![CDATA[College Preparation & The Senior Year]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://basisindependent.com/?p=8526</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Congratulations to the Class of 2024! The list below shows this year’s class’ power and inspiring nature. While additional acceptances are still possible from waitlists, 100% of our seniors have secured a spot at a Top-70 Nationally ranked institution of higher education. Our graduates will pursue majors in Applied Mathematics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Science, Engineering, […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/va/mclean/about/blog/class-of-2024-acceptances-to-date">Class of 2024 Acceptances to Date</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/graduation-2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8527" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/graduation-1-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8528" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/graduation-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/graduation-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/graduation-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/graduation-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/graduation-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/graduation-1-702x526.jpg 702w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <p>Congratulations to the Class of 2024! The list below shows this year’s class’ power and inspiring nature. While additional acceptances are still possible from waitlists, 100% of our seniors have secured a spot at a Top-70 Nationally ranked institution of higher education. Our graduates will pursue majors in Applied Mathematics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Science, Engineering, Neuroscience, Political Science, Physics, and Journalism. </p> <p>Earlier this school year, Niche.com named BIM the #1 Best College Prep Private High School in the Washington, DC area. Our 24 seniors proved worthy of that ranking as they were accepted to 60 colleges and universities in the US and Canada. The Class of 2024 began their college application process during their College Counseling Boot Camp last May, and the acceptance list below marks the culmination of 12 months of hard work and application dedication. It has been quite a year, and we are excited for what the future brings for the Class of 2024.</p> <p style="text-decoration:underline"><strong>In-State Highlights:</strong></p> <ul><li>UVA accepted over 50% of our Virginia applicants, William Mary accepted 75%, and Virginia Tech accepted an unprecedented 90% of our applicants. </li></ul> <p></p> <p style="text-decoration:underline"><strong>National Highlights:</strong></p> <ul><li>46% of our seniors were accepted to a Top 25 National University:</li></ul> <p>Brown University, Cornell University, Duke University, Emory University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rice University, Stanford University, University of California (Berkeley), University of Michigan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, Washington University in St. Louis, Yale University</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="994" height="737" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/graduation-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8530" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/graduation-3.png 994w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/graduation-3-300x222.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/graduation-3-768x569.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 994px) 100vw, 994px" /></figure> <p class="has-text-align-center has-large-font-size"><strong><mark style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#e60027" class="has-inline-color">Please join us in congratulating our Class of 2024 Red-Tailed Hawks!</mark></strong></p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-normal-font-size"><strong>Arizona State University<br>Binghamton University</strong><br><strong>Boston University<br>Brown University<br>Case Western Reserve University<br>Clemson University<br>Cornell University<br>Drexel University<br>Duke University<br>Emory University<br>George Mason University<br>George Washington University<br>Georgetown University<br>Georgia Institute of Technology<br>Harvard University<br>Ithaca College<br>James Madison University<br>Johns Hopkins University<br>Loyola Marymount University<br>Massachusetts Institute of Technology<br>Mount St Mary’s University<br>Northeastern University<br>Oxford College of Emory University<br>Penn State University<br>Purdue University<br>Queen’s University<br>Rice University<br>Rochester Institute of Technology<br>Rutgers University<br>Stanford University<br>The Ohio State University<br>University of Arizona<br>University of California (Berkeley)<br>University of California (Davis)<br>University of California (Irvine)<br>University of California (San Diego)<br>University of California (Santa Barbara)<br>University of Colorado Boulder<br>University of Delaware<br>University of Florida<br>University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign<br>University of Iowa<br>University of Maryland<br>University of Michigan<br>University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill<br>University of Notre Dame<br>University of Pennsylvania<br>University of Pittsburgh<br>University of Richmond<br>University of Virginia<br>University of Washington<br>University of Wisconsin<br>Vassar College<br>Virginia Commonwealth University<br>Virginia Tech<br>Wake Forest University<br>Washington University in St. Louis<br>Western University<br>William & Mary<br>Yale University</strong><br><br></p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/va/mclean/about/blog/class-of-2024-acceptances-to-date">Class of 2024 Acceptances to Date</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://basisindependent.com/schools/va/mclean/about/blog/class-of-2024-acceptances-to-date/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</title> <link>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/silicon-valley/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-8</link> <comments>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/silicon-valley/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-8#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[ekugler]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:35:56 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Academics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Awards & Recognition]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High School]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://basisindependent.com/?p=8355</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/silicon-valley/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-8">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, product, or service from inception to implementation? One that would also impress a panel of judges made up of industry professionals? That’s what a group of educators discovered at the Startups at Spring Competition. </p> <p>The competition is open to high school students attending a Spring Education school and focuses on a specific type of business start-up. This year’s theme was creativity and it allowed the students to think outside of the box and present their ideas, first to their local school, and then one team from each school was selected and invited to attend a network-wide competition. Students then made the same presentation but, instead of it being in front of their peers and school administration, it was in front of industry professionals. </p> <p>The professionals judge the competition on the feasibility and profitability of each idea presented. Judges listened to see if the teams explained their business idea clearly, was it unique, and implemented the year’s theme. Beyond those basic judging expectations, they also sought to see if the team understood and addressed the financial challenges of starting a business, did they effectively present their market strategy, and could they answer confidently improvisational questions regarding their “pitch”. </p> <p>Ms. Jaymie Silva, BASIS Independent Schools Subject Expert Teacher and organizer of the competition said, “I’m always impressed by what our students are capable of and I appreciate that this competition is open to all high school students across our network of schools. These students develop their ideas and compete in their free time and the passion and engagement in their projects show. They are truly dedicated to making our future world better with their ideas and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!” </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8274" style="width:179px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Third Place (awarded $2,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Inclusive Experience Corp<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Stella C. (Grade 10) and Dashiell S. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Manhattan<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO)<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Adaptive Design Association</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8279" style="width:907px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x432.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1057w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> As music enthusiasts continue to bemoan outrageous concert prices and how they aren’t able to attend concerts due to economic conflicts, they forget that most venues aren’t even accessible to all fans. </p> <p>The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO) would make the concert experience available for those who have a disability that prevents them from physically attending the venue but still want to enjoy their favorite singer’s performances. Through virtual reality, we plan on solving this issue as well as addressing physiological and psychological disabilities.</p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“We want to say we are proud of ourselves as we are some of the younger participants and we feel inspired that we were able to bring an altruistic purpose to this competition.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E_zmmpb7vvlcZEDXbLhD-9tVlUPFDx7l8VhME9d9QZA/edit#slide=id.g2ac9051ea58_0_4456">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="264" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8272" style="width:233px;height:auto"/></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Second Place (awarded $3,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Slidebean<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Shoshana E. (Grade 12)<br><strong>School:</strong> Laurel Springs<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> HelpUnplugged<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Hostage and Missing Families Forum</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="614" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8280" style="width:865px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x180.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x460.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1160w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> HelpUnplugged is an AI portable assistance for off-the-grid health concerns. Currently, no smart diagnostic tools with offline capabilities exist for public use. No offline messaging systems exist to link patients with medical help directly. Unwell hikers in remote locations face gnawing worry and possible danger. In Arizona County, 12 hikers died from medical emergencies in remote locations over just 13 years. </p> <p>HelpUnplugged would be an AI diagnostic tool that functions completely offline; obtaining vital signs and symptoms, processing data, and signaling help. HelpUnlpugeed will ensure that hikers in peril are aware of their condition and prevent further complications. </p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“Startups at Spring was an amazing experience. The project I pitched related to neural networks and offline communication, but participating in Startups at Spring taught me far more than just machine learning — from the mechanics of marketing to the technicality of TAM calculations. I hope to use what I have learned in college and beyond, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/HelpUnplugged.pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here.</a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8277" style="width:376px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-300x200.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-768x512.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>First Place (awarded $5,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Claw-Some Cash Cats<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Zitao (Tommy) D. (Grade 10), Charan S. (Grade 10), and Anshay C. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Silicon Valley<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> flAIvr<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Amnesty International</p> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> Video call an AI chef anytime, anywhere. It is difficult for inexperienced home cooks and people who just want to cook something with the ingredients and equipment they have in hand to actually have a good cooking experience. More than half of Americans struggle with the most basic recipes. Pacing, unfamiliar or difficult techniques, and inaccessible ingredients and equipment all cause this struggle. </p> <p>flAIvr is a personalized AI cooking assistant that guides users through video calls with the AI for guidance and assistance in their cooking. </p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="578" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8259" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-768x434.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2.png 1096w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“The Startup at Spring contest has been an incredible journey for the three of us. The process of turning a creative idea into a feasible business was a valuable opportunity for us to gain entrepreneurial experience and have fun along the way. We are proud to donate our cash prize to Amnesty International to help defend the human rights of oppressed groups worldwide. Lastly, we would like to thank Ms. Silva for her dedication and generous support throughout our journey.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/flAIvr%20(002).pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <p>Congratulations to all the students who participated! </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expert Judging Panel</strong></h2> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="427" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8273" style="width:365px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg 640w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Gordon Green</strong> is Co-Founder / Partner at Jordan Partners. Before forming Jordan, he spent eleven years at Light Street Capital in Palo Alto investing in public and private technology companies globally. While at Light Street, Gordon served on the Investment Committee and helped the firm scale from approximately $30M to $3B in AUM across long/short, long-only, and growth equity vehicles. Prior to Light Street, Gordon started his career as an analyst in the Financial Institutions Group at UBS in New York, where he advised banks and insurance companies on M&A and capital markets activities. </p> <p>Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a concentration in Finance from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="884" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8276" style="width:220px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png 884w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-259x300.png 259w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-768x890.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. David Jen</strong> serves as the Managing Director of Finance and Corporate Development at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, where he is responsible for driving business growth through strategic planning and partnerships. In this role, David has led investments in self-driving cars (Waymo), drone delivery (Wing), novel approaches to cyber security (Chronicle), as well as Alphabet’s bets in sustainability and accessibility.</p> <p>In addition to his full-time role at X, David is also a board member at Quincus, a SaaS logistics company based in Singapore that powers some of the largest 3PLs in the world and a venture partner at UP.Partners, where he invests in technologies that will enable a greener and more accessible planet.</p> <p>Before joining X, David held various finance roles at Google and worked in consulting and banking. He is also actively involved in volunteering, serving as a board member for the Tufts University Derby School of Entrepreneurship and on the advisory committee for the Asian American Fund. In his free time, David enjoys binge-watching TV from the 90s, listening to music he’s embarrassed to tell people about, and hanging out with his wife and two young children.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="256" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8275" style="width:200px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png 256w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-150x150.png 150w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-75x75.png 75w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Amrit Saxena</strong> is the Founder & CEO of SaxeCap, an AI transformation and private equity investment firm that conducts AI-levered buyouts and transforms enterprises with AI & automation technology. Additionally, he has successfully founded & sold two AI companies (<a href="http://stella.ai/">Stella.ai</a> and Fancy That) and is an active angel investor in data, AI, web3, and enterprise software companies in Silicon Valley, investing in 200+ early-stage technology companies (including several unicorns and companies that have gone public), private businesses, and PE/VC funds.</p> <p>Prior to SaxeCap, Amrit founded and scaled Stella, a talent-sourcing AI company, to over 150 large enterprise clients (including 10% of the Fortune 500), leading technology (data science, product, engineering, etc.) and operations (pre-sales, client integrations, etc.). Stella was sold to Cornell Capital and Trilantic Capital Partners in a $1B+ private equity transaction in 2021. Additionally, Amrit founded, scaled, and sold Fancy That, a retail AI company, to Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) in 2015. Between his two AI startups, Amrit has experience buying a company, selling two companies, and scaling teams from zero to 50+ people. Amrit previously worked at Bain & Company, Groupon, AmEx, and e2e Analytics and taught and researched AI at Stanford University & MIT.</p> <p>He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and M.S. in Management Science & Engineering with a concentration in Operations Research, both from Stanford University with Distinction. Additionally, he has garnered numerous accolades, including being awarded seven U.S. patents (relating to AI and optimization), a three-time finalist in the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), winner of the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), finalist in the United States Physics Olympiad (USAPhO), Congressional Award Gold Medalist, Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholar, American Regions Math League (ARML) winner, and was selected for the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society while at Stanford.</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/silicon-valley/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-8">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/silicon-valley/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-8/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</title> <link>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/fremont/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-7</link> <comments>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/fremont/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-7#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[ekugler]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:35:16 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Academics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Awards & Recognition]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High School]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://basisindependent.com/?p=8354</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/fremont/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-7">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, product, or service from inception to implementation? One that would also impress a panel of judges made up of industry professionals? That’s what a group of educators discovered at the Startups at Spring Competition. </p> <p>The competition is open to high school students attending a Spring Education school and focuses on a specific type of business start-up. This year’s theme was creativity and it allowed the students to think outside of the box and present their ideas, first to their local school, and then one team from each school was selected and invited to attend a network-wide competition. Students then made the same presentation but, instead of it being in front of their peers and school administration, it was in front of industry professionals. </p> <p>The professionals judge the competition on the feasibility and profitability of each idea presented. Judges listened to see if the teams explained their business idea clearly, was it unique, and implemented the year’s theme. Beyond those basic judging expectations, they also sought to see if the team understood and addressed the financial challenges of starting a business, did they effectively present their market strategy, and could they answer confidently improvisational questions regarding their “pitch”. </p> <p>Ms. Jaymie Silva, BASIS Independent Schools Subject Expert Teacher and organizer of the competition said, “I’m always impressed by what our students are capable of and I appreciate that this competition is open to all high school students across our network of schools. These students develop their ideas and compete in their free time and the passion and engagement in their projects show. They are truly dedicated to making our future world better with their ideas and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!” </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8274" style="width:179px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Third Place (awarded $2,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Inclusive Experience Corp<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Stella C. (Grade 10) and Dashiell S. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Manhattan<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO)<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Adaptive Design Association</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8279" style="width:907px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x432.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1057w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> As music enthusiasts continue to bemoan outrageous concert prices and how they aren’t able to attend concerts due to economic conflicts, they forget that most venues aren’t even accessible to all fans. </p> <p>The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO) would make the concert experience available for those who have a disability that prevents them from physically attending the venue but still want to enjoy their favorite singer’s performances. Through virtual reality, we plan on solving this issue as well as addressing physiological and psychological disabilities.</p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“We want to say we are proud of ourselves as we are some of the younger participants and we feel inspired that we were able to bring an altruistic purpose to this competition.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E_zmmpb7vvlcZEDXbLhD-9tVlUPFDx7l8VhME9d9QZA/edit#slide=id.g2ac9051ea58_0_4456">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="264" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8272" style="width:233px;height:auto"/></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Second Place (awarded $3,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Slidebean<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Shoshana E. (Grade 12)<br><strong>School:</strong> Laurel Springs<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> HelpUnplugged<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Hostage and Missing Families Forum</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="614" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8280" style="width:865px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x180.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x460.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1160w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> HelpUnplugged is an AI portable assistance for off-the-grid health concerns. Currently, no smart diagnostic tools with offline capabilities exist for public use. No offline messaging systems exist to link patients with medical help directly. Unwell hikers in remote locations face gnawing worry and possible danger. In Arizona County, 12 hikers died from medical emergencies in remote locations over just 13 years. </p> <p>HelpUnplugged would be an AI diagnostic tool that functions completely offline; obtaining vital signs and symptoms, processing data, and signaling help. HelpUnlpugeed will ensure that hikers in peril are aware of their condition and prevent further complications. </p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“Startups at Spring was an amazing experience. The project I pitched related to neural networks and offline communication, but participating in Startups at Spring taught me far more than just machine learning — from the mechanics of marketing to the technicality of TAM calculations. I hope to use what I have learned in college and beyond, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/HelpUnplugged.pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here.</a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8277" style="width:376px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-300x200.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-768x512.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>First Place (awarded $5,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Claw-Some Cash Cats<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Zitao (Tommy) D. (Grade 10), Charan S. (Grade 10), and Anshay C. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Silicon Valley<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> flAIvr<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Amnesty International</p> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> Video call an AI chef anytime, anywhere. It is difficult for inexperienced home cooks and people who just want to cook something with the ingredients and equipment they have in hand to actually have a good cooking experience. More than half of Americans struggle with the most basic recipes. Pacing, unfamiliar or difficult techniques, and inaccessible ingredients and equipment all cause this struggle. </p> <p>flAIvr is a personalized AI cooking assistant that guides users through video calls with the AI for guidance and assistance in their cooking. </p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="578" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8259" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-768x434.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2.png 1096w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“The Startup at Spring contest has been an incredible journey for the three of us. The process of turning a creative idea into a feasible business was a valuable opportunity for us to gain entrepreneurial experience and have fun along the way. We are proud to donate our cash prize to Amnesty International to help defend the human rights of oppressed groups worldwide. Lastly, we would like to thank Ms. Silva for her dedication and generous support throughout our journey.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/flAIvr%20(002).pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <p>Congratulations to all the students who participated! </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expert Judging Panel</strong></h2> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="427" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8273" style="width:365px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg 640w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Gordon Green</strong> is Co-Founder / Partner at Jordan Partners. Before forming Jordan, he spent eleven years at Light Street Capital in Palo Alto investing in public and private technology companies globally. While at Light Street, Gordon served on the Investment Committee and helped the firm scale from approximately $30M to $3B in AUM across long/short, long-only, and growth equity vehicles. Prior to Light Street, Gordon started his career as an analyst in the Financial Institutions Group at UBS in New York, where he advised banks and insurance companies on M&A and capital markets activities. </p> <p>Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a concentration in Finance from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="884" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8276" style="width:220px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png 884w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-259x300.png 259w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-768x890.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. David Jen</strong> serves as the Managing Director of Finance and Corporate Development at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, where he is responsible for driving business growth through strategic planning and partnerships. In this role, David has led investments in self-driving cars (Waymo), drone delivery (Wing), novel approaches to cyber security (Chronicle), as well as Alphabet’s bets in sustainability and accessibility.</p> <p>In addition to his full-time role at X, David is also a board member at Quincus, a SaaS logistics company based in Singapore that powers some of the largest 3PLs in the world and a venture partner at UP.Partners, where he invests in technologies that will enable a greener and more accessible planet.</p> <p>Before joining X, David held various finance roles at Google and worked in consulting and banking. He is also actively involved in volunteering, serving as a board member for the Tufts University Derby School of Entrepreneurship and on the advisory committee for the Asian American Fund. In his free time, David enjoys binge-watching TV from the 90s, listening to music he’s embarrassed to tell people about, and hanging out with his wife and two young children.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="256" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8275" style="width:200px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png 256w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-150x150.png 150w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-75x75.png 75w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Amrit Saxena</strong> is the Founder & CEO of SaxeCap, an AI transformation and private equity investment firm that conducts AI-levered buyouts and transforms enterprises with AI & automation technology. Additionally, he has successfully founded & sold two AI companies (<a href="http://stella.ai/">Stella.ai</a> and Fancy That) and is an active angel investor in data, AI, web3, and enterprise software companies in Silicon Valley, investing in 200+ early-stage technology companies (including several unicorns and companies that have gone public), private businesses, and PE/VC funds.</p> <p>Prior to SaxeCap, Amrit founded and scaled Stella, a talent-sourcing AI company, to over 150 large enterprise clients (including 10% of the Fortune 500), leading technology (data science, product, engineering, etc.) and operations (pre-sales, client integrations, etc.). Stella was sold to Cornell Capital and Trilantic Capital Partners in a $1B+ private equity transaction in 2021. Additionally, Amrit founded, scaled, and sold Fancy That, a retail AI company, to Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) in 2015. Between his two AI startups, Amrit has experience buying a company, selling two companies, and scaling teams from zero to 50+ people. Amrit previously worked at Bain & Company, Groupon, AmEx, and e2e Analytics and taught and researched AI at Stanford University & MIT.</p> <p>He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and M.S. in Management Science & Engineering with a concentration in Operations Research, both from Stanford University with Distinction. Additionally, he has garnered numerous accolades, including being awarded seven U.S. patents (relating to AI and optimization), a three-time finalist in the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), winner of the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), finalist in the United States Physics Olympiad (USAPhO), Congressional Award Gold Medalist, Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholar, American Regions Math League (ARML) winner, and was selected for the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society while at Stanford.</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/fremont/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-7">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/fremont/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-7/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</title> <link>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/brooklyn/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-6</link> <comments>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/brooklyn/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-6#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[ekugler]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:34:03 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Academics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Awards & Recognition]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High School]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://basisindependent.com/?p=8353</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/brooklyn/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-6">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, product, or service from inception to implementation? One that would also impress a panel of judges made up of industry professionals? That’s what a group of educators discovered at the Startups at Spring Competition. </p> <p>The competition is open to high school students attending a Spring Education school and focuses on a specific type of business start-up. This year’s theme was creativity and it allowed the students to think outside of the box and present their ideas, first to their local school, and then one team from each school was selected and invited to attend a network-wide competition. Students then made the same presentation but, instead of it being in front of their peers and school administration, it was in front of industry professionals. </p> <p>The professionals judge the competition on the feasibility and profitability of each idea presented. Judges listened to see if the teams explained their business idea clearly, was it unique, and implemented the year’s theme. Beyond those basic judging expectations, they also sought to see if the team understood and addressed the financial challenges of starting a business, did they effectively present their market strategy, and could they answer confidently improvisational questions regarding their “pitch”. </p> <p>Ms. Jaymie Silva, BASIS Independent Schools Subject Expert Teacher and organizer of the competition said, “I’m always impressed by what our students are capable of and I appreciate that this competition is open to all high school students across our network of schools. These students develop their ideas and compete in their free time and the passion and engagement in their projects show. They are truly dedicated to making our future world better with their ideas and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!” </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8274" style="width:179px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Third Place (awarded $2,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Inclusive Experience Corp<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Stella C. (Grade 10) and Dashiell S. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Manhattan<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO)<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Adaptive Design Association</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8279" style="width:907px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x432.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1057w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> As music enthusiasts continue to bemoan outrageous concert prices and how they aren’t able to attend concerts due to economic conflicts, they forget that most venues aren’t even accessible to all fans. </p> <p>The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO) would make the concert experience available for those who have a disability that prevents them from physically attending the venue but still want to enjoy their favorite singer’s performances. Through virtual reality, we plan on solving this issue as well as addressing physiological and psychological disabilities.</p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“We want to say we are proud of ourselves as we are some of the younger participants and we feel inspired that we were able to bring an altruistic purpose to this competition.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E_zmmpb7vvlcZEDXbLhD-9tVlUPFDx7l8VhME9d9QZA/edit#slide=id.g2ac9051ea58_0_4456">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="264" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8272" style="width:233px;height:auto"/></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Second Place (awarded $3,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Slidebean<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Shoshana E. (Grade 12)<br><strong>School:</strong> Laurel Springs<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> HelpUnplugged<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Hostage and Missing Families Forum</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="614" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8280" style="width:865px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x180.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x460.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1160w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> HelpUnplugged is an AI portable assistance for off-the-grid health concerns. Currently, no smart diagnostic tools with offline capabilities exist for public use. No offline messaging systems exist to link patients with medical help directly. Unwell hikers in remote locations face gnawing worry and possible danger. In Arizona County, 12 hikers died from medical emergencies in remote locations over just 13 years. </p> <p>HelpUnplugged would be an AI diagnostic tool that functions completely offline; obtaining vital signs and symptoms, processing data, and signaling help. HelpUnlpugeed will ensure that hikers in peril are aware of their condition and prevent further complications. </p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“Startups at Spring was an amazing experience. The project I pitched related to neural networks and offline communication, but participating in Startups at Spring taught me far more than just machine learning — from the mechanics of marketing to the technicality of TAM calculations. I hope to use what I have learned in college and beyond, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/HelpUnplugged.pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here.</a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8277" style="width:376px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-300x200.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-768x512.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>First Place (awarded $5,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Claw-Some Cash Cats<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Zitao (Tommy) D. (Grade 10), Charan S. (Grade 10), and Anshay C. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Silicon Valley<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> flAIvr<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Amnesty International</p> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> Video call an AI chef anytime, anywhere. It is difficult for inexperienced home cooks and people who just want to cook something with the ingredients and equipment they have in hand to actually have a good cooking experience. More than half of Americans struggle with the most basic recipes. Pacing, unfamiliar or difficult techniques, and inaccessible ingredients and equipment all cause this struggle. </p> <p>flAIvr is a personalized AI cooking assistant that guides users through video calls with the AI for guidance and assistance in their cooking. </p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="578" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8259" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-768x434.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2.png 1096w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“The Startup at Spring contest has been an incredible journey for the three of us. The process of turning a creative idea into a feasible business was a valuable opportunity for us to gain entrepreneurial experience and have fun along the way. We are proud to donate our cash prize to Amnesty International to help defend the human rights of oppressed groups worldwide. Lastly, we would like to thank Ms. Silva for her dedication and generous support throughout our journey.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/flAIvr%20(002).pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <p>Congratulations to all the students who participated! </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expert Judging Panel</strong></h2> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="427" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8273" style="width:365px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg 640w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Gordon Green</strong> is Co-Founder / Partner at Jordan Partners. Before forming Jordan, he spent eleven years at Light Street Capital in Palo Alto investing in public and private technology companies globally. While at Light Street, Gordon served on the Investment Committee and helped the firm scale from approximately $30M to $3B in AUM across long/short, long-only, and growth equity vehicles. Prior to Light Street, Gordon started his career as an analyst in the Financial Institutions Group at UBS in New York, where he advised banks and insurance companies on M&A and capital markets activities. </p> <p>Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a concentration in Finance from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="884" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8276" style="width:220px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png 884w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-259x300.png 259w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-768x890.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. David Jen</strong> serves as the Managing Director of Finance and Corporate Development at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, where he is responsible for driving business growth through strategic planning and partnerships. In this role, David has led investments in self-driving cars (Waymo), drone delivery (Wing), novel approaches to cyber security (Chronicle), as well as Alphabet’s bets in sustainability and accessibility.</p> <p>In addition to his full-time role at X, David is also a board member at Quincus, a SaaS logistics company based in Singapore that powers some of the largest 3PLs in the world and a venture partner at UP.Partners, where he invests in technologies that will enable a greener and more accessible planet.</p> <p>Before joining X, David held various finance roles at Google and worked in consulting and banking. He is also actively involved in volunteering, serving as a board member for the Tufts University Derby School of Entrepreneurship and on the advisory committee for the Asian American Fund. In his free time, David enjoys binge-watching TV from the 90s, listening to music he’s embarrassed to tell people about, and hanging out with his wife and two young children.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="256" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8275" style="width:200px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png 256w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-150x150.png 150w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-75x75.png 75w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Amrit Saxena</strong> is the Founder & CEO of SaxeCap, an AI transformation and private equity investment firm that conducts AI-levered buyouts and transforms enterprises with AI & automation technology. Additionally, he has successfully founded & sold two AI companies (<a href="http://stella.ai/">Stella.ai</a> and Fancy That) and is an active angel investor in data, AI, web3, and enterprise software companies in Silicon Valley, investing in 200+ early-stage technology companies (including several unicorns and companies that have gone public), private businesses, and PE/VC funds.</p> <p>Prior to SaxeCap, Amrit founded and scaled Stella, a talent-sourcing AI company, to over 150 large enterprise clients (including 10% of the Fortune 500), leading technology (data science, product, engineering, etc.) and operations (pre-sales, client integrations, etc.). Stella was sold to Cornell Capital and Trilantic Capital Partners in a $1B+ private equity transaction in 2021. Additionally, Amrit founded, scaled, and sold Fancy That, a retail AI company, to Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) in 2015. Between his two AI startups, Amrit has experience buying a company, selling two companies, and scaling teams from zero to 50+ people. Amrit previously worked at Bain & Company, Groupon, AmEx, and e2e Analytics and taught and researched AI at Stanford University & MIT.</p> <p>He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and M.S. in Management Science & Engineering with a concentration in Operations Research, both from Stanford University with Distinction. Additionally, he has garnered numerous accolades, including being awarded seven U.S. patents (relating to AI and optimization), a three-time finalist in the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), winner of the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), finalist in the United States Physics Olympiad (USAPhO), Congressional Award Gold Medalist, Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholar, American Regions Math League (ARML) winner, and was selected for the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society while at Stanford.</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/brooklyn/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-6">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/brooklyn/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-6/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</title> <link>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/manhattan/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-5</link> <comments>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/manhattan/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-5#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[ekugler]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:33:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Academics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Awards & Recognition]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High School]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://basisindependent.com/?p=8352</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/manhattan/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-5">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, product, or service from inception to implementation? One that would also impress a panel of judges made up of industry professionals? That’s what a group of educators discovered at the Startups at Spring Competition. </p> <p>The competition is open to high school students attending a Spring Education school and focuses on a specific type of business start-up. This year’s theme was creativity and it allowed the students to think outside of the box and present their ideas, first to their local school, and then one team from each school was selected and invited to attend a network-wide competition. Students then made the same presentation but, instead of it being in front of their peers and school administration, it was in front of industry professionals. </p> <p>The professionals judge the competition on the feasibility and profitability of each idea presented. Judges listened to see if the teams explained their business idea clearly, was it unique, and implemented the year’s theme. Beyond those basic judging expectations, they also sought to see if the team understood and addressed the financial challenges of starting a business, did they effectively present their market strategy, and could they answer confidently improvisational questions regarding their “pitch”. </p> <p>Ms. Jaymie Silva, BASIS Independent Schools Subject Expert Teacher and organizer of the competition said, “I’m always impressed by what our students are capable of and I appreciate that this competition is open to all high school students across our network of schools. These students develop their ideas and compete in their free time and the passion and engagement in their projects show. They are truly dedicated to making our future world better with their ideas and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!” </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8274" style="width:179px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Third Place (awarded $2,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Inclusive Experience Corp<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Stella C. (Grade 10) and Dashiell S. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Manhattan<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO)<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Adaptive Design Association</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8279" style="width:907px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x432.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1057w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> As music enthusiasts continue to bemoan outrageous concert prices and how they aren’t able to attend concerts due to economic conflicts, they forget that most venues aren’t even accessible to all fans. </p> <p>The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO) would make the concert experience available for those who have a disability that prevents them from physically attending the venue but still want to enjoy their favorite singer’s performances. Through virtual reality, we plan on solving this issue as well as addressing physiological and psychological disabilities.</p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“We want to say we are proud of ourselves as we are some of the younger participants and we feel inspired that we were able to bring an altruistic purpose to this competition.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E_zmmpb7vvlcZEDXbLhD-9tVlUPFDx7l8VhME9d9QZA/edit#slide=id.g2ac9051ea58_0_4456">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="264" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8272" style="width:233px;height:auto" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Second Place (awarded $3,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Slidebean<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Shoshana E. (Grade 12)<br><strong>School:</strong> Laurel Springs<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> HelpUnplugged<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Hostage and Missing Families Forum</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="614" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8280" style="width:865px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x180.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x460.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1160w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> HelpUnplugged is an AI portable assistance for off-the-grid health concerns. Currently, no smart diagnostic tools with offline capabilities exist for public use. No offline messaging systems exist to link patients with medical help directly. Unwell hikers in remote locations face gnawing worry and possible danger. In Arizona County, 12 hikers died from medical emergencies in remote locations over just 13 years. </p> <p>HelpUnplugged would be an AI diagnostic tool that functions completely offline; obtaining vital signs and symptoms, processing data, and signaling help. HelpUnlpugeed will ensure that hikers in peril are aware of their condition and prevent further complications. </p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“Startups at Spring was an amazing experience. The project I pitched related to neural networks and offline communication, but participating in Startups at Spring taught me far more than just machine learning — from the mechanics of marketing to the technicality of TAM calculations. I hope to use what I have learned in college and beyond, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/HelpUnplugged.pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here.</a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8277" style="width:376px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-300x200.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-768x512.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>First Place (awarded $5,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Claw-Some Cash Cats<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Zitao (Tommy) D. (Grade 10), Charan S. (Grade 10), and Anshay C. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Silicon Valley<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> flAIvr<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Amnesty International</p> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> Video call an AI chef anytime, anywhere. It is difficult for inexperienced home cooks and people who just want to cook something with the ingredients and equipment they have in hand to actually have a good cooking experience. More than half of Americans struggle with the most basic recipes. Pacing, unfamiliar or difficult techniques, and inaccessible ingredients and equipment all cause this struggle. </p> <p>flAIvr is a personalized AI cooking assistant that guides users through video calls with the AI for guidance and assistance in their cooking. </p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="578" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8259" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-768x434.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2.png 1096w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“The Startup at Spring contest has been an incredible journey for the three of us. The process of turning a creative idea into a feasible business was a valuable opportunity for us to gain entrepreneurial experience and have fun along the way. We are proud to donate our cash prize to Amnesty International to help defend the human rights of oppressed groups worldwide. Lastly, we would like to thank Ms. Silva for her dedication and generous support throughout our journey.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/flAIvr%20(002).pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <p>Congratulations to all the students who participated! </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expert Judging Panel</strong></h2> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="427" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8273" style="width:365px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg 640w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Gordon Green</strong> is Co-Founder / Partner at Jordan Partners. Before forming Jordan, he spent eleven years at Light Street Capital in Palo Alto investing in public and private technology companies globally. While at Light Street, Gordon served on the Investment Committee and helped the firm scale from approximately $30M to $3B in AUM across long/short, long-only, and growth equity vehicles. Prior to Light Street, Gordon started his career as an analyst in the Financial Institutions Group at UBS in New York, where he advised banks and insurance companies on M&A and capital markets activities. </p> <p>Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a concentration in Finance from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="884" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8276" style="width:220px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png 884w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-259x300.png 259w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-768x890.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. David Jen</strong> serves as the Managing Director of Finance and Corporate Development at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, where he is responsible for driving business growth through strategic planning and partnerships. In this role, David has led investments in self-driving cars (Waymo), drone delivery (Wing), novel approaches to cyber security (Chronicle), as well as Alphabet’s bets in sustainability and accessibility.</p> <p>In addition to his full-time role at X, David is also a board member at Quincus, a SaaS logistics company based in Singapore that powers some of the largest 3PLs in the world and a venture partner at UP.Partners, where he invests in technologies that will enable a greener and more accessible planet.</p> <p>Before joining X, David held various finance roles at Google and worked in consulting and banking. He is also actively involved in volunteering, serving as a board member for the Tufts University Derby School of Entrepreneurship and on the advisory committee for the Asian American Fund. In his free time, David enjoys binge-watching TV from the 90s, listening to music he’s embarrassed to tell people about, and hanging out with his wife and two young children.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="256" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8275" style="width:200px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png 256w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-150x150.png 150w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-75x75.png 75w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Amrit Saxena</strong> is the Founder & CEO of SaxeCap, an AI transformation and private equity investment firm that conducts AI-levered buyouts and transforms enterprises with AI & automation technology. Additionally, he has successfully founded & sold two AI companies (<a href="http://stella.ai/">Stella.ai</a> and Fancy That) and is an active angel investor in data, AI, web3, and enterprise software companies in Silicon Valley, investing in 200+ early-stage technology companies (including several unicorns and companies that have gone public), private businesses, and PE/VC funds.</p> <p>Prior to SaxeCap, Amrit founded and scaled Stella, a talent-sourcing AI company, to over 150 large enterprise clients (including 10% of the Fortune 500), leading technology (data science, product, engineering, etc.) and operations (pre-sales, client integrations, etc.). Stella was sold to Cornell Capital and Trilantic Capital Partners in a $1B+ private equity transaction in 2021. Additionally, Amrit founded, scaled, and sold Fancy That, a retail AI company, to Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) in 2015. Between his two AI startups, Amrit has experience buying a company, selling two companies, and scaling teams from zero to 50+ people. Amrit previously worked at Bain & Company, Groupon, AmEx, and e2e Analytics and taught and researched AI at Stanford University & MIT.</p> <p>He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and M.S. in Management Science & Engineering with a concentration in Operations Research, both from Stanford University with Distinction. Additionally, he has garnered numerous accolades, including being awarded seven U.S. patents (relating to AI and optimization), a three-time finalist in the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), winner of the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), finalist in the United States Physics Olympiad (USAPhO), Congressional Award Gold Medalist, Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholar, American Regions Math League (ARML) winner, and was selected for the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society while at Stanford.</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/manhattan/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-5">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/manhattan/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-5/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</title> <link>https://basisindependent.com/schools/wa/bellevue/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-4</link> <comments>https://basisindependent.com/schools/wa/bellevue/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-4#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[ekugler]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:30:56 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Academics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Awards & Recognition]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High School]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://basisindependent.com/?p=8351</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/wa/bellevue/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-4">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, product, or service from inception to implementation? One that would also impress a panel of judges made up of industry professionals? That’s what a group of educators discovered at the Startups at Spring Competition. </p> <p>The competition is open to high school students attending a Spring Education school and focuses on a specific type of business start-up. This year’s theme was creativity and it allowed the students to think outside of the box and present their ideas, first to their local school, and then one team from each school was selected and invited to attend a network-wide competition. Students then made the same presentation but, instead of it being in front of their peers and school administration, it was in front of industry professionals. </p> <p>The professionals judge the competition on the feasibility and profitability of each idea presented. Judges listened to see if the teams explained their business idea clearly, was it unique, and implemented the year’s theme. Beyond those basic judging expectations, they also sought to see if the team understood and addressed the financial challenges of starting a business, did they effectively present their market strategy, and could they answer confidently improvisational questions regarding their “pitch”. </p> <p>Ms. Jaymie Silva, BASIS Independent Schools Subject Expert Teacher and organizer of the competition said, “I’m always impressed by what our students are capable of and I appreciate that this competition is open to all high school students across our network of schools. These students develop their ideas and compete in their free time and the passion and engagement in their projects show. They are truly dedicated to making our future world better with their ideas and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!” </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8274" style="width:179px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Third Place (awarded $2,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Inclusive Experience Corp<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Stella C. (Grade 10) and Dashiell S. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Manhattan<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO)<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Adaptive Design Association</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8279" style="width:907px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x432.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1057w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> As music enthusiasts continue to bemoan outrageous concert prices and how they aren’t able to attend concerts due to economic conflicts, they forget that most venues aren’t even accessible to all fans. </p> <p>The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO) would make the concert experience available for those who have a disability that prevents them from physically attending the venue but still want to enjoy their favorite singer’s performances. Through virtual reality, we plan on solving this issue as well as addressing physiological and psychological disabilities.</p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“We want to say we are proud of ourselves as we are some of the younger participants and we feel inspired that we were able to bring an altruistic purpose to this competition.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E_zmmpb7vvlcZEDXbLhD-9tVlUPFDx7l8VhME9d9QZA/edit#slide=id.g2ac9051ea58_0_4456">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="264" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8272" style="width:233px;height:auto"/></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Second Place (awarded $3,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Slidebean<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Shoshana E. (Grade 12)<br><strong>School:</strong> Laurel Springs<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> HelpUnplugged<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Hostage and Missing Families Forum</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="614" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8280" style="width:865px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x180.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x460.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1160w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> HelpUnplugged is an AI portable assistance for off-the-grid health concerns. Currently, no smart diagnostic tools with offline capabilities exist for public use. No offline messaging systems exist to link patients with medical help directly. Unwell hikers in remote locations face gnawing worry and possible danger. In Arizona County, 12 hikers died from medical emergencies in remote locations over just 13 years. </p> <p>HelpUnplugged would be an AI diagnostic tool that functions completely offline; obtaining vital signs and symptoms, processing data, and signaling help. HelpUnlpugeed will ensure that hikers in peril are aware of their condition and prevent further complications. </p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“Startups at Spring was an amazing experience. The project I pitched related to neural networks and offline communication, but participating in Startups at Spring taught me far more than just machine learning — from the mechanics of marketing to the technicality of TAM calculations. I hope to use what I have learned in college and beyond, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/HelpUnplugged.pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here.</a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8277" style="width:376px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-300x200.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-768x512.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>First Place (awarded $5,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Claw-Some Cash Cats<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Zitao (Tommy) D. (Grade 10), Charan S. (Grade 10), and Anshay C. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Silicon Valley<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> flAIvr<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Amnesty International</p> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> Video call an AI chef anytime, anywhere. It is difficult for inexperienced home cooks and people who just want to cook something with the ingredients and equipment they have in hand to actually have a good cooking experience. More than half of Americans struggle with the most basic recipes. Pacing, unfamiliar or difficult techniques, and inaccessible ingredients and equipment all cause this struggle. </p> <p>flAIvr is a personalized AI cooking assistant that guides users through video calls with the AI for guidance and assistance in their cooking. </p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="578" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8259" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-768x434.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2.png 1096w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“The Startup at Spring contest has been an incredible journey for the three of us. The process of turning a creative idea into a feasible business was a valuable opportunity for us to gain entrepreneurial experience and have fun along the way. We are proud to donate our cash prize to Amnesty International to help defend the human rights of oppressed groups worldwide. Lastly, we would like to thank Ms. Silva for her dedication and generous support throughout our journey.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/flAIvr%20(002).pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <p>Congratulations to all the students who participated! </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expert Judging Panel</strong></h2> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="427" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8273" style="width:365px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg 640w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Gordon Green</strong> is Co-Founder / Partner at Jordan Partners. Before forming Jordan, he spent eleven years at Light Street Capital in Palo Alto investing in public and private technology companies globally. While at Light Street, Gordon served on the Investment Committee and helped the firm scale from approximately $30M to $3B in AUM across long/short, long-only, and growth equity vehicles. Prior to Light Street, Gordon started his career as an analyst in the Financial Institutions Group at UBS in New York, where he advised banks and insurance companies on M&A and capital markets activities. </p> <p>Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a concentration in Finance from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="884" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8276" style="width:220px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png 884w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-259x300.png 259w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-768x890.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. David Jen</strong> serves as the Managing Director of Finance and Corporate Development at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, where he is responsible for driving business growth through strategic planning and partnerships. In this role, David has led investments in self-driving cars (Waymo), drone delivery (Wing), novel approaches to cyber security (Chronicle), as well as Alphabet’s bets in sustainability and accessibility.</p> <p>In addition to his full-time role at X, David is also a board member at Quincus, a SaaS logistics company based in Singapore that powers some of the largest 3PLs in the world and a venture partner at UP.Partners, where he invests in technologies that will enable a greener and more accessible planet.</p> <p>Before joining X, David held various finance roles at Google and worked in consulting and banking. He is also actively involved in volunteering, serving as a board member for the Tufts University Derby School of Entrepreneurship and on the advisory committee for the Asian American Fund. In his free time, David enjoys binge-watching TV from the 90s, listening to music he’s embarrassed to tell people about, and hanging out with his wife and two young children.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="256" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8275" style="width:200px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png 256w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-150x150.png 150w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-75x75.png 75w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Amrit Saxena</strong> is the Founder & CEO of SaxeCap, an AI transformation and private equity investment firm that conducts AI-levered buyouts and transforms enterprises with AI & automation technology. Additionally, he has successfully founded & sold two AI companies (<a href="http://stella.ai/">Stella.ai</a> and Fancy That) and is an active angel investor in data, AI, web3, and enterprise software companies in Silicon Valley, investing in 200+ early-stage technology companies (including several unicorns and companies that have gone public), private businesses, and PE/VC funds.</p> <p>Prior to SaxeCap, Amrit founded and scaled Stella, a talent-sourcing AI company, to over 150 large enterprise clients (including 10% of the Fortune 500), leading technology (data science, product, engineering, etc.) and operations (pre-sales, client integrations, etc.). Stella was sold to Cornell Capital and Trilantic Capital Partners in a $1B+ private equity transaction in 2021. Additionally, Amrit founded, scaled, and sold Fancy That, a retail AI company, to Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) in 2015. Between his two AI startups, Amrit has experience buying a company, selling two companies, and scaling teams from zero to 50+ people. Amrit previously worked at Bain & Company, Groupon, AmEx, and e2e Analytics and taught and researched AI at Stanford University & MIT.</p> <p>He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and M.S. in Management Science & Engineering with a concentration in Operations Research, both from Stanford University with Distinction. Additionally, he has garnered numerous accolades, including being awarded seven U.S. patents (relating to AI and optimization), a three-time finalist in the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), winner of the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), finalist in the United States Physics Olympiad (USAPhO), Congressional Award Gold Medalist, Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholar, American Regions Math League (ARML) winner, and was selected for the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society while at Stanford.</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/wa/bellevue/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-4">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://basisindependent.com/schools/wa/bellevue/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-4/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</title> <link>https://basisindependent.com/schools/wa/bothell/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-3</link> <comments>https://basisindependent.com/schools/wa/bothell/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-3#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[ekugler]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:30:16 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Academics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Awards & Recognition]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High School]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://basisindependent.com/?p=8350</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/wa/bothell/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-3">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, product, or service from inception to implementation? One that would also impress a panel of judges made up of industry professionals? That’s what a group of educators discovered at the Startups at Spring Competition. </p> <p>The competition is open to high school students attending a Spring Education school and focuses on a specific type of business start-up. This year’s theme was creativity and it allowed the students to think outside of the box and present their ideas, first to their local school, and then one team from each school was selected and invited to attend a network-wide competition. Students then made the same presentation but, instead of it being in front of their peers and school administration, it was in front of industry professionals. </p> <p>The professionals judge the competition on the feasibility and profitability of each idea presented. Judges listened to see if the teams explained their business idea clearly, was it unique, and implemented the year’s theme. Beyond those basic judging expectations, they also sought to see if the team understood and addressed the financial challenges of starting a business, did they effectively present their market strategy, and could they answer confidently improvisational questions regarding their “pitch”. </p> <p>Ms. Jaymie Silva, BASIS Independent Schools Subject Expert Teacher and organizer of the competition said, “I’m always impressed by what our students are capable of and I appreciate that this competition is open to all high school students across our network of schools. These students develop their ideas and compete in their free time and the passion and engagement in their projects show. They are truly dedicated to making our future world better with their ideas and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!” </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8274" style="width:179px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Third Place (awarded $2,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Inclusive Experience Corp<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Stella C. (Grade 10) and Dashiell S. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Manhattan<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO)<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Adaptive Design Association</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8279" style="width:907px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x432.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1057w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> As music enthusiasts continue to bemoan outrageous concert prices and how they aren’t able to attend concerts due to economic conflicts, they forget that most venues aren’t even accessible to all fans. </p> <p>The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO) would make the concert experience available for those who have a disability that prevents them from physically attending the venue but still want to enjoy their favorite singer’s performances. Through virtual reality, we plan on solving this issue as well as addressing physiological and psychological disabilities.</p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“We want to say we are proud of ourselves as we are some of the younger participants and we feel inspired that we were able to bring an altruistic purpose to this competition.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E_zmmpb7vvlcZEDXbLhD-9tVlUPFDx7l8VhME9d9QZA/edit#slide=id.g2ac9051ea58_0_4456">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="264" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8272" style="width:233px;height:auto"/></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Second Place (awarded $3,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Slidebean<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Shoshana E. (Grade 12)<br><strong>School:</strong> Laurel Springs<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> HelpUnplugged<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Hostage and Missing Families Forum</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="614" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8280" style="width:865px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x180.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x460.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1160w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> HelpUnplugged is an AI portable assistance for off-the-grid health concerns. Currently, no smart diagnostic tools with offline capabilities exist for public use. No offline messaging systems exist to link patients with medical help directly. Unwell hikers in remote locations face gnawing worry and possible danger. In Arizona County, 12 hikers died from medical emergencies in remote locations over just 13 years. </p> <p>HelpUnplugged would be an AI diagnostic tool that functions completely offline; obtaining vital signs and symptoms, processing data, and signaling help. HelpUnlpugeed will ensure that hikers in peril are aware of their condition and prevent further complications. </p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“Startups at Spring was an amazing experience. The project I pitched related to neural networks and offline communication, but participating in Startups at Spring taught me far more than just machine learning — from the mechanics of marketing to the technicality of TAM calculations. I hope to use what I have learned in college and beyond, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/HelpUnplugged.pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here.</a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8277" style="width:376px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-300x200.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-768x512.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>First Place (awarded $5,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Claw-Some Cash Cats<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Zitao (Tommy) D. (Grade 10), Charan S. (Grade 10), and Anshay C. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Silicon Valley<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> flAIvr<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Amnesty International</p> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> Video call an AI chef anytime, anywhere. It is difficult for inexperienced home cooks and people who just want to cook something with the ingredients and equipment they have in hand to actually have a good cooking experience. More than half of Americans struggle with the most basic recipes. Pacing, unfamiliar or difficult techniques, and inaccessible ingredients and equipment all cause this struggle. </p> <p>flAIvr is a personalized AI cooking assistant that guides users through video calls with the AI for guidance and assistance in their cooking. </p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="578" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8259" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-768x434.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2.png 1096w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“The Startup at Spring contest has been an incredible journey for the three of us. The process of turning a creative idea into a feasible business was a valuable opportunity for us to gain entrepreneurial experience and have fun along the way. We are proud to donate our cash prize to Amnesty International to help defend the human rights of oppressed groups worldwide. Lastly, we would like to thank Ms. Silva for her dedication and generous support throughout our journey.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/flAIvr%20(002).pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <p>Congratulations to all the students who participated! </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expert Judging Panel</strong></h2> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="427" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8273" style="width:365px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg 640w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Gordon Green</strong> is Co-Founder / Partner at Jordan Partners. Before forming Jordan, he spent eleven years at Light Street Capital in Palo Alto investing in public and private technology companies globally. While at Light Street, Gordon served on the Investment Committee and helped the firm scale from approximately $30M to $3B in AUM across long/short, long-only, and growth equity vehicles. Prior to Light Street, Gordon started his career as an analyst in the Financial Institutions Group at UBS in New York, where he advised banks and insurance companies on M&A and capital markets activities. </p> <p>Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a concentration in Finance from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="884" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8276" style="width:220px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png 884w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-259x300.png 259w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-768x890.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. David Jen</strong> serves as the Managing Director of Finance and Corporate Development at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, where he is responsible for driving business growth through strategic planning and partnerships. In this role, David has led investments in self-driving cars (Waymo), drone delivery (Wing), novel approaches to cyber security (Chronicle), as well as Alphabet’s bets in sustainability and accessibility.</p> <p>In addition to his full-time role at X, David is also a board member at Quincus, a SaaS logistics company based in Singapore that powers some of the largest 3PLs in the world and a venture partner at UP.Partners, where he invests in technologies that will enable a greener and more accessible planet.</p> <p>Before joining X, David held various finance roles at Google and worked in consulting and banking. He is also actively involved in volunteering, serving as a board member for the Tufts University Derby School of Entrepreneurship and on the advisory committee for the Asian American Fund. In his free time, David enjoys binge-watching TV from the 90s, listening to music he’s embarrassed to tell people about, and hanging out with his wife and two young children.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="256" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8275" style="width:200px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png 256w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-150x150.png 150w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-75x75.png 75w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Amrit Saxena</strong> is the Founder & CEO of SaxeCap, an AI transformation and private equity investment firm that conducts AI-levered buyouts and transforms enterprises with AI & automation technology. Additionally, he has successfully founded & sold two AI companies (<a href="http://stella.ai/">Stella.ai</a> and Fancy That) and is an active angel investor in data, AI, web3, and enterprise software companies in Silicon Valley, investing in 200+ early-stage technology companies (including several unicorns and companies that have gone public), private businesses, and PE/VC funds.</p> <p>Prior to SaxeCap, Amrit founded and scaled Stella, a talent-sourcing AI company, to over 150 large enterprise clients (including 10% of the Fortune 500), leading technology (data science, product, engineering, etc.) and operations (pre-sales, client integrations, etc.). Stella was sold to Cornell Capital and Trilantic Capital Partners in a $1B+ private equity transaction in 2021. Additionally, Amrit founded, scaled, and sold Fancy That, a retail AI company, to Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) in 2015. Between his two AI startups, Amrit has experience buying a company, selling two companies, and scaling teams from zero to 50+ people. Amrit previously worked at Bain & Company, Groupon, AmEx, and e2e Analytics and taught and researched AI at Stanford University & MIT.</p> <p>He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and M.S. in Management Science & Engineering with a concentration in Operations Research, both from Stanford University with Distinction. Additionally, he has garnered numerous accolades, including being awarded seven U.S. patents (relating to AI and optimization), a three-time finalist in the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), winner of the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), finalist in the United States Physics Olympiad (USAPhO), Congressional Award Gold Medalist, Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholar, American Regions Math League (ARML) winner, and was selected for the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society while at Stanford.</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/wa/bothell/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-3">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://basisindependent.com/schools/wa/bothell/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-3/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</title> <link>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/dublin/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-2</link> <comments>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/dublin/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-2#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[binseditor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:24:38 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Academics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Awards & Recognition]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High School]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://basisindependent.com/?p=8286</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/dublin/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-2">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, product, or service from inception to implementation? One that would also impress a panel of judges made up of industry professionals? That’s what a group of educators discovered at the Startups at Spring Competition. </p> <p>The competition is open to high school students attending a Spring Education school and focuses on a specific type of business start-up. This year’s theme was creativity and it allowed the students to think outside of the box and present their ideas, first to their local school, and then one team from each school was selected and invited to attend a network-wide competition. Students then made the same presentation but, instead of it being in front of their peers and school administration, it was in front of industry professionals. </p> <p>The professionals judge the competition on the feasibility and profitability of each idea presented. Judges listened to see if the teams explained their business idea clearly, was it unique, and implemented the year’s theme. Beyond those basic judging expectations, they also sought to see if the team understood and addressed the financial challenges of starting a business, did they effectively present their market strategy, and could they answer confidently improvisational questions regarding their “pitch”. </p> <p>Ms. Jaymie Silva, BASIS Independent Schools Subject Expert Teacher and organizer of the competition said, “I’m always impressed by what our students are capable of and I appreciate that this competition is open to all high school students across our network of schools. These students develop their ideas and compete in their free time and the passion and engagement in their projects show. They are truly dedicated to making our future world better with their ideas and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!” </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8274" style="width:179px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Third Place (awarded $2,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Inclusive Experience Corp<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Stella C. (Grade 10) and Dashiell S. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Manhattan<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO)<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Adaptive Design Association</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8279" style="width:907px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x432.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1057w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> As music enthusiasts continue to bemoan outrageous concert prices and how they aren’t able to attend concerts due to economic conflicts, they forget that most venues aren’t even accessible to all fans. </p> <p>The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO) would make the concert experience available for those who have a disability that prevents them from physically attending the venue but still want to enjoy their favorite singer’s performances. Through virtual reality, we plan on solving this issue as well as addressing physiological and psychological disabilities.</p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“We want to say we are proud of ourselves as we are some of the younger participants and we feel inspired that we were able to bring an altruistic purpose to this competition.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E_zmmpb7vvlcZEDXbLhD-9tVlUPFDx7l8VhME9d9QZA/edit#slide=id.g2ac9051ea58_0_4456">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="264" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8272" style="width:233px;height:auto"/></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Second Place (awarded $3,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Slidebean<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Shoshana E. (Grade 12)<br><strong>School:</strong> Laurel Springs<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> HelpUnplugged<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Hostage and Missing Families Forum</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="614" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8280" style="width:865px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x180.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x460.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1160w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> HelpUnplugged is an AI portable assistance for off-the-grid health concerns. Currently, no smart diagnostic tools with offline capabilities exist for public use. No offline messaging systems exist to link patients with medical help directly. Unwell hikers in remote locations face gnawing worry and possible danger. In Arizona County, 12 hikers died from medical emergencies in remote locations over just 13 years. </p> <p>HelpUnplugged would be an AI diagnostic tool that functions completely offline; obtaining vital signs and symptoms, processing data, and signaling help. HelpUnlpugeed will ensure that hikers in peril are aware of their condition and prevent further complications. </p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“Startups at Spring was an amazing experience. The project I pitched related to neural networks and offline communication, but participating in Startups at Spring taught me far more than just machine learning — from the mechanics of marketing to the technicality of TAM calculations. I hope to use what I have learned in college and beyond, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/HelpUnplugged.pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here.</a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8277" style="width:376px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-300x200.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-768x512.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>First Place (awarded $5,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Claw-Some Cash Cats<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Zitao (Tommy) D. (Grade 10), Charan S. (Grade 10), and Anshay C. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Silicon Valley<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> flAIvr<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Amnesty International</p> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> Video call an AI chef anytime, anywhere. It is difficult for inexperienced home cooks and people who just want to cook something with the ingredients and equipment they have in hand to actually have a good cooking experience. More than half of Americans struggle with the most basic recipes. Pacing, unfamiliar or difficult techniques, and inaccessible ingredients and equipment all cause this struggle. </p> <p>flAIvr is a personalized AI cooking assistant that guides users through video calls with the AI for guidance and assistance in their cooking. </p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="578" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8259" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-768x434.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2.png 1096w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“The Startup at Spring contest has been an incredible journey for the three of us. The process of turning a creative idea into a feasible business was a valuable opportunity for us to gain entrepreneurial experience and have fun along the way. We are proud to donate our cash prize to Amnesty International to help defend the human rights of oppressed groups worldwide. Lastly, we would like to thank Ms. Silva for her dedication and generous support throughout our journey.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/flAIvr%20(002).pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <p>Congratulations to all the students who participated! </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expert Judging Panel</strong></h2> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="427" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8273" style="width:365px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg 640w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Gordon Green</strong> is Co-Founder / Partner at Jordan Partners. Before forming Jordan, he spent eleven years at Light Street Capital in Palo Alto investing in public and private technology companies globally. While at Light Street, Gordon served on the Investment Committee and helped the firm scale from approximately $30M to $3B in AUM across long/short, long-only, and growth equity vehicles. Prior to Light Street, Gordon started his career as an analyst in the Financial Institutions Group at UBS in New York, where he advised banks and insurance companies on M&A and capital markets activities. </p> <p>Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a concentration in Finance from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="884" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8276" style="width:220px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png 884w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-259x300.png 259w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-768x890.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. David Jen</strong> serves as the Managing Director of Finance and Corporate Development at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, where he is responsible for driving business growth through strategic planning and partnerships. In this role, David has led investments in self-driving cars (Waymo), drone delivery (Wing), novel approaches to cyber security (Chronicle), as well as Alphabet’s bets in sustainability and accessibility.</p> <p>In addition to his full-time role at X, David is also a board member at Quincus, a SaaS logistics company based in Singapore that powers some of the largest 3PLs in the world and a venture partner at UP.Partners, where he invests in technologies that will enable a greener and more accessible planet.</p> <p>Before joining X, David held various finance roles at Google and worked in consulting and banking. He is also actively involved in volunteering, serving as a board member for the Tufts University Derby School of Entrepreneurship and on the advisory committee for the Asian American Fund. In his free time, David enjoys binge-watching TV from the 90s, listening to music he’s embarrassed to tell people about, and hanging out with his wife and two young children.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="256" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8275" style="width:200px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png 256w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-150x150.png 150w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-75x75.png 75w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Amrit Saxena</strong> is the Founder & CEO of SaxeCap, an AI transformation and private equity investment firm that conducts AI-levered buyouts and transforms enterprises with AI & automation technology. Additionally, he has successfully founded & sold two AI companies (<a href="http://stella.ai/">Stella.ai</a> and Fancy That) and is an active angel investor in data, AI, web3, and enterprise software companies in Silicon Valley, investing in 200+ early-stage technology companies (including several unicorns and companies that have gone public), private businesses, and PE/VC funds.</p> <p>Prior to SaxeCap, Amrit founded and scaled Stella, a talent-sourcing AI company, to over 150 large enterprise clients (including 10% of the Fortune 500), leading technology (data science, product, engineering, etc.) and operations (pre-sales, client integrations, etc.). Stella was sold to Cornell Capital and Trilantic Capital Partners in a $1B+ private equity transaction in 2021. Additionally, Amrit founded, scaled, and sold Fancy That, a retail AI company, to Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) in 2015. Between his two AI startups, Amrit has experience buying a company, selling two companies, and scaling teams from zero to 50+ people. Amrit previously worked at Bain & Company, Groupon, AmEx, and e2e Analytics and taught and researched AI at Stanford University & MIT.</p> <p>He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and M.S. in Management Science & Engineering with a concentration in Operations Research, both from Stanford University with Distinction. Additionally, he has garnered numerous accolades, including being awarded seven U.S. patents (relating to AI and optimization), a three-time finalist in the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), winner of the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), finalist in the United States Physics Olympiad (USAPhO), Congressional Award Gold Medalist, Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholar, American Regions Math League (ARML) winner, and was selected for the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society while at Stanford.</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/dublin/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-2">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://basisindependent.com/schools/ca/dublin/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</title> <link>https://basisindependent.com/schools/va/mclean/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity</link> <comments>https://basisindependent.com/schools/va/mclean/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[ekugler]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2024 14:09:19 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Academics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Awards & Recognition]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High School]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://basisindependent.com/?p=8271</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/va/mclean/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools and the results are sure to impress. How could students in Grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, product, or service from inception to implementation? One that would also impress a panel of judges made up of industry professionals? That’s what a group of educators discovered at the Startups at Spring Competition. </p> <p>The competition is open to high school students attending a Spring Education school and focuses on a specific type of business start-up. This year’s theme was creativity and it allowed the students to think outside of the box and present their ideas, first to their local school, and then one team from each school was selected and invited to attend a network-wide competition. Students then made the same presentation but, instead of it being in front of their peers and school administration, it was in front of industry professionals. </p> <p>The professionals judge the competition on the feasibility and profitability of each idea presented. Judges listened to see if the teams explained their business idea clearly, was it unique, and implemented the year’s theme. Beyond those basic judging expectations, they also sought to see if the team understood and addressed the financial challenges of starting a business, did they effectively present their market strategy, and could they answer confidently improvisational questions regarding their “pitch”. </p> <p>Ms. Jaymie Silva, BASIS Independent Schools Subject Expert Teacher and organizer of the competition said, “I’m always impressed by what our students are capable of and I appreciate that this competition is open to all high school students across our network of schools. These students develop their ideas and compete in their free time and the passion and engagement in their projects show. They are truly dedicated to making our future world better with their ideas and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!” </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8274" style="width:179px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Image-2-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Third Place (awarded $2,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Inclusive Experience Corp<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Stella C. (Grade 10) and Dashiell S. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Manhattan<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO)<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Adaptive Design Association</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8279" style="width:907px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x576.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x432.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1057w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> As music enthusiasts continue to bemoan outrageous concert prices and how they aren’t able to attend concerts due to economic conflicts, they forget that most venues aren’t even accessible to all fans. </p> <p>The Inclusive Experience Organization (TIEO) would make the concert experience available for those who have a disability that prevents them from physically attending the venue but still want to enjoy their favorite singer’s performances. Through virtual reality, we plan on solving this issue as well as addressing physiological and psychological disabilities.</p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“We want to say we are proud of ourselves as we are some of the younger participants and we feel inspired that we were able to bring an altruistic purpose to this competition.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E_zmmpb7vvlcZEDXbLhD-9tVlUPFDx7l8VhME9d9QZA/edit#slide=id.g2ac9051ea58_0_4456">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="264" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8272" style="width:233px;height:auto"/></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Second Place (awarded $3,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Slidebean<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Shoshana E. (Grade 12)<br><strong>School:</strong> Laurel Springs<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> HelpUnplugged<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Hostage and Missing Families Forum</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="614" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8280" style="width:865px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-1024x614.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-300x180.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4-768x460.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-4.png 1160w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> HelpUnplugged is an AI portable assistance for off-the-grid health concerns. Currently, no smart diagnostic tools with offline capabilities exist for public use. No offline messaging systems exist to link patients with medical help directly. Unwell hikers in remote locations face gnawing worry and possible danger. In Arizona County, 12 hikers died from medical emergencies in remote locations over just 13 years. </p> <p>HelpUnplugged would be an AI diagnostic tool that functions completely offline; obtaining vital signs and symptoms, processing data, and signaling help. HelpUnlpugeed will ensure that hikers in peril are aware of their condition and prevent further complications. </p> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“Startups at Spring was an amazing experience. The project I pitched related to neural networks and offline communication, but participating in Startups at Spring taught me far more than just machine learning — from the mechanics of marketing to the technicality of TAM calculations. I hope to use what I have learned in college and beyond, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/HelpUnplugged.pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here.</a></p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8277" style="width:376px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-300x200.jpg 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-768x512.jpg 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Business-Pitch-Challenge-2-002.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>First Place (awarded $5,000)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Team Name:</strong> Claw-Some Cash Cats<br><strong>Team Members: </strong>Zitao (Tommy) D. (Grade 10), Charan S. (Grade 10), and Anshay C. (Grade 10)<br><strong>School:</strong> BASIS Independent Silicon Valley<br></p> <p><strong>Start-Up:</strong> flAIvr<br><strong>Selected Charity:</strong> Amnesty International</p> <p><strong>Pitch:</strong> Video call an AI chef anytime, anywhere. It is difficult for inexperienced home cooks and people who just want to cook something with the ingredients and equipment they have in hand to actually have a good cooking experience. More than half of Americans struggle with the most basic recipes. Pacing, unfamiliar or difficult techniques, and inaccessible ingredients and equipment all cause this struggle. </p> <p>flAIvr is a personalized AI cooking assistant that guides users through video calls with the AI for guidance and assistance in their cooking. </p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="578" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8259" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1024x578.png 1024w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-300x169.png 300w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-768x434.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2.png 1096w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Team Take Away</strong></p> <p><em>“The Startup at Spring contest has been an incredible journey for the three of us. The process of turning a creative idea into a feasible business was a valuable opportunity for us to gain entrepreneurial experience and have fun along the way. We are proud to donate our cash prize to Amnesty International to help defend the human rights of oppressed groups worldwide. Lastly, we would like to thank Ms. Silva for her dedication and generous support throughout our journey.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://info.basisindependent.com/hubfs/flAIvr%20(002).pdf">To view their entire presentation, click here. </a></p> <p>Congratulations to all the students who participated! </p> <div style="height:45px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expert Judging Panel</strong></h2> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="427" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8273" style="width:365px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners.jpg 640w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LNKD-Gordon-Green_Jordan-Partners-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Gordon Green</strong> is Co-Founder / Partner at Jordan Partners. Before forming Jordan, he spent eleven years at Light Street Capital in Palo Alto investing in public and private technology companies globally. While at Light Street, Gordon served on the Investment Committee and helped the firm scale from approximately $30M to $3B in AUM across long/short, long-only, and growth equity vehicles. Prior to Light Street, Gordon started his career as an analyst in the Financial Institutions Group at UBS in New York, where he advised banks and insurance companies on M&A and capital markets activities. </p> <p>Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a concentration in Finance from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="884" height="1024" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8276" style="width:220px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-884x1024.png 884w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-259x300.png 259w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen-768x890.png 768w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/David-Jen.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. David Jen</strong> serves as the Managing Director of Finance and Corporate Development at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, where he is responsible for driving business growth through strategic planning and partnerships. In this role, David has led investments in self-driving cars (Waymo), drone delivery (Wing), novel approaches to cyber security (Chronicle), as well as Alphabet’s bets in sustainability and accessibility.</p> <p>In addition to his full-time role at X, David is also a board member at Quincus, a SaaS logistics company based in Singapore that powers some of the largest 3PLs in the world and a venture partner at UP.Partners, where he invests in technologies that will enable a greener and more accessible planet.</p> <p>Before joining X, David held various finance roles at Google and worked in consulting and banking. He is also actively involved in volunteering, serving as a board member for the Tufts University Derby School of Entrepreneurship and on the advisory committee for the Asian American Fund. In his free time, David enjoys binge-watching TV from the 90s, listening to music he’s embarrassed to tell people about, and hanging out with his wife and two young children.</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="256" height="256" src="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8275" style="width:200px;height:auto" srcset="https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit.png 256w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-150x150.png 150w, https://basisindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amrit-75x75.png 75w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" /></figure></div> <p><strong>Mr. Amrit Saxena</strong> is the Founder & CEO of SaxeCap, an AI transformation and private equity investment firm that conducts AI-levered buyouts and transforms enterprises with AI & automation technology. Additionally, he has successfully founded & sold two AI companies (<a href="http://stella.ai/">Stella.ai</a> and Fancy That) and is an active angel investor in data, AI, web3, and enterprise software companies in Silicon Valley, investing in 200+ early-stage technology companies (including several unicorns and companies that have gone public), private businesses, and PE/VC funds.</p> <p>Prior to SaxeCap, Amrit founded and scaled Stella, a talent-sourcing AI company, to over 150 large enterprise clients (including 10% of the Fortune 500), leading technology (data science, product, engineering, etc.) and operations (pre-sales, client integrations, etc.). Stella was sold to Cornell Capital and Trilantic Capital Partners in a $1B+ private equity transaction in 2021. Additionally, Amrit founded, scaled, and sold Fancy That, a retail AI company, to Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) in 2015. Between his two AI startups, Amrit has experience buying a company, selling two companies, and scaling teams from zero to 50+ people. Amrit previously worked at Bain & Company, Groupon, AmEx, and e2e Analytics and taught and researched AI at Stanford University & MIT.</p> <p>He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and M.S. in Management Science & Engineering with a concentration in Operations Research, both from Stanford University with Distinction. Additionally, he has garnered numerous accolades, including being awarded seven U.S. patents (relating to AI and optimization), a three-time finalist in the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), winner of the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), finalist in the United States Physics Olympiad (USAPhO), Congressional Award Gold Medalist, Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholar, American Regions Math League (ARML) winner, and was selected for the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society while at Stanford.</p><p>The post <a href="https://basisindependent.com/schools/va/mclean/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity">2023 – 2024 Startups at Spring Competition: Creativity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://basisindependent.com">BASIS Independent Schools</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://basisindependent.com/schools/va/mclean/about/blog/2023-2024-startups-at-spring-competition-creativity/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel></rss> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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