Beamlak Petros, an undergraduate student, wins several entrepreneurship contests, sweeping away a $16,000 cash award with her project, Waste Compo. This innovative project is a solution aimed towards addressing the challenges of hunger and insufficient fertilizers in Ethiopia.
Waste Compo’s goal is to revolutionize waste collection methods, particularly for food waste, to increase food production. In Ethiopia, waste management and food production are major challenges. Waste Compo’s objective is to make waste collection more efficient and transform it into a reliable source for enhanced food production.
Winning these competitions has not only boosted Petros’s self-confidence but also honed her communication skills. She attributes a part of her success to her dedicated team whose innovative ideas have driven her towards new achievements.
In June, Petros will present her novel concepts at a competition at the University of San Diego, alongside Maria Magambo, the runner-up. This event will offer them a chance to showcase their ideas and potentially gain industry recognition.
Danielle Campeau, the Associate Dean, appreciates the diversity of ideas from the student competitors and the opportunities these competitions provide in terms of securing funding and developing networks. She believes that these events enhance the students’ overall educational experience and assist them in developing entrepreneurial skills.
The GSIC contest also has categories for graduate students and alumni, offering seed funding and mentorship to help shape innovative ideas into business ventures.
An invention named Safe 6, created to assist those with cystic fibrosis, won the graduate category, earning the creators a $10,000 cash prize for their exceptional achievement.
Campeau applauds the students’ bravery in presenting their ideas in large forums and notes an increase in participation from art and science majors. This suggests a progressive shift in their interest in public speaking and reflects the university’s holistic learning environment.
