Three WPI student entrepreneurs demonstrated their innovative technology-based business ideas and received both feedback and financial support from Worcester-area business leaders during a regional college pitch competition on April 8. The WooTank Intercollegiate Showdown was modeled after the Shark Tank television show. A panel of three investors heard pitches from students representing eight budding companies from four schools in Central Massachusetts: WPI, the College of the Holy Cross, Clark University, and Nichols College.
A technological time-saver for landscaping companies
(L-R) Luis Alzamora and Russell Hertel present their pitch at WooTank
Robotics engineering majors Russell Hertel ’27 and Luis Alzamora ’26 presented QuickEst, an online tool that provides instant, accurate estimates for landscaping work. Landscaping companies can leverage the tool by loading cost points for different services into the system and embedding the tool on their website. When customers go to a landscaping company website that uses QuickEst, they could enter their address, use an online map to highlight where on their property they want work done, and choose from the list of services. The program would then calculate a quote for the customer, who could in turn request to schedule the landscaping work. The goal is to transform an outdated process of providing quotes in order to save time for contractors and clients.
Hertel and Alzamora say their idea was inspired by a former classmate with a landscaping business who lamented the travel time and cost associated with conducting a visual inspection of potential customers’ properties, calculating an estimate, then returning later to perform the work if the customer hired the company. “It can take a week just to get some simple work done on your property,” said Hertel. “The whole current process of landscaping estimates is completely unnecessary.”
After hearing the pitch, panelists Kevin Anderson, a technology entrepreneur and founder of VentureWiz and VentureMeets; Evan Cox, an investor with Wire Group; and Stephanie Ramey, vice president at Rucker Investments and co-founder of Auxilium Worcester, awarded the team $1,500. Anderson also offered to introduce Hertel and Alzamora to the owners of some landscaping companies.
“This support, both financial and by making connections, is really appreciated and helps us with our next steps,” said Alzamora, who said he’s feeling more comfortable pitching ideas with each new competition QuickEst enters. “It’s scary at first, but when you practice it, you get more fluid with it. Pitch competitions are a good way to practice your networking abilities. This was a really good opportunity.”
An innovative approach to drying sports equipment
Calvin Lambert presents his DryPro Equipment prototype at WooTank. Photo credit: AG Digital for The Venture Forum
Data science major Calvin Lambert ’27, pitched his company, DryPro Equipment, and the device he’s created to efficiently and effectively dry athletic gear after competition or practice. The drying rack consists of plastic pipes with several air vents and multiple places to hang athletic gear. The pipes are connected to an air compressor that blows room temperature air through the system to reach items resting on the three-tiered racks. DryPro seeks to eliminate bacteria and mold that can develop in damp equipment and dry the equipment faster, at higher capacity, and with less risk of causing damage to the gear than existing methods.
Lambert, who was a four-sport athlete in high school and youth sports and is now a member of WPI’s football team, says he was inspired to create the system after his experiences with both ringworm from his hockey helmet and a rash that spread through his high school football team. The WooTank panelists, citing a huge potential for the system to be used in youth sports, awarded Lambert $1,250 for further prototypes and refining the device.
“This opportunity to present my idea and receive feedback means a lot to me. I’m excited and blessed to be here,” said Lambert who began thinking about turning his device into a business just a few months ago. “With events like this, I feel like maybe I am onto something, and it gives me a burst of energy to keep going forward.”
