Photo of Anna Burnett, 1st placer winner.
ANNA BURNETT / LINKEDIN.COM
Emmanouel Sofillas, Managing Editor
The 12th annual Innovation Challenge, hosted by the O’Malley School of Business, once again brought together the sharpest entrepreneurial minds from Manhattan University for a night of creativity, competition and community impact. Student teams pitched their innovative business ideas to a panel of industry judges, with top winners taking home cash prizes to bring their concepts to life.
This year’s event featured six teams, showcasing a wide array of inventive solutions — from fashion-forward self-defense tools to AI-powered recycling systems. The event drew students from various disciplines and academic levels, exemplifying the spirit of cross-collaboration between the business and engineering schools.
SlaySpray, a self-defense accessory disguised as a stylish fashion charm, took home the first-place prize of $5,000. Created by graduate student Anna Burnett, the product seeks to empower individuals, particularly those navigating public transit or difficult environments, through a discreet but effective alternative to mace.
“Slay Spray brings fashion, accessibility, and comfort to those who are seeking a feeling of security,” Burnett said. “Inspired by personal experience, the product also aims to break the stigma surrounding conversations about violence, especially domestic violence.”
Burnett plans to use the prize money to begin phase two of development, which includes implementing a Bluetooth tracking system and an app that connects users to local resources and safe spaces.
The audience favorite award and second place went to VibeView, a live-streaming app for local bars, co-founded by finance major Andrew Pesce. The app helps users scout nightlife scenes in real time before heading out, saving both time and money.
“The inspiration came on my birthday,” Pesce said. “I went to a bar, and it was dead. I thought, ‘I wish I could just check it out on my phone before going.’”
Modeled after the concept behind surf apps like Surfline, VibeView integrates camera feeds from bars to provide a real-time look at the social scene. The team plans to invest their winnings into app development and bar integration costs, estimating around $180 per bar for setup.
Third place went to Sustain-a-Bin, an AI-powered recycling bin with the team consisting of William Heaney, Daniel Rawdah, Massimo Tatta and Jason Matute. Heaney, a double major in Business Analytics and Computer Information Systems, spoke about how the smart bin uses AI cameras to sort recyclables and eventually aims to become self-sustaining by repurposing collected plastic into new bins.
“Our hope is that it becomes completely sustainable using solar panels in the future,” Heaney said. “We want to build smarter waste systems for college campuses and cities alike.”
The judges, composed of business leaders and entrepreneurs alike, evaluated teams based on presentation clarity, understanding of the target market, competitive analysis and the viability of the business model.
“I was really impressed by the diversity of ideas and how well thought out the concepts were,” judge Brian Sullivan said. “Some were very practical, some more conceptual, but overall, the quality was outstanding.”
Judge Mike Kelly, a returning panelist, emphasized the importance of execution.
“What we look for is who’s closest to the market,” Kelly said. “A lot of these ideas are great, but it’s those who are ready to execute that stand out.”
Next up, the winning teams will represent Manhattan University at the upcoming Battle of the Bronx: Innovation Style, where they will compete against students from Fordham University.