Jacksonville University recently hosted its largest Dolphin Pitch, a Shark Tank-style pitch competition, aimed to foster students and faculty's entrepreneurial spirit by creating new ideas or redesigning existing products and services.
More than 25 teams competed across business, media arts, nursing, music and engineering disciplines, in an event that culminated earlier in April that saw the winners split a $5,000 prize to continue development on their ideas.
“This is what we do here at Jacksonville University – It’s about competition, innovation, creativity, and hands-on business development," JU President Tim Cost said at the event.
The Business Journal recently caught up with first-runner up Elizabeth Elliott, external clinical coordinator and instructor with Jacksonville University, about her and her partner, Terry Dean's, Bone-Conduction Stethoscope and what is next for the device.
Can you tell me a little our pitch?
We pitched a new kind of stethoscope for individuals that are hard of hearing or need greater situational awareness.
Where did the idea come from?
The idea came after someone was telling me that she was learning how to position her stethoscope and head so that the sounds she was listening to were both louder and clearer. I responded that I had a very similar issue, and it took me a long time to find that same workaround. It had never occurred to me that others had a similar issue!
What was your experience like at the Dolphin Pitch?
The experience was wonderful, anxiety inducing, but great! I understand that public speaking is the number one fear in America? I teach at JU, in the nursing department, but Terry was far more relaxed and chill about the pitch itself! Dr. Jim Simak in the College of Business was a great help! He even met with us several times to coach us through what needed to be included in the pitch.
Have you done other pitches or was this your first?
This was our first pitch and we learned so much for the next one! Everyone gave great advise and were very encouraging to us and about our stethoscope idea.
What's next for your idea?
We're going to work towards a proof of concept next. We were granted a provisional patent and so have a year to see if we can flush out the idea to a product that really does increase hearing for those who have difficulty with it.
Sign up here for the Business Journal’s free morning and afternoon daily newsletters to receive the latest business news impacting the First Coast. For more business intelligence, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
