Human Sciences winners of College-by-College Pitch Off announced
February 23, 2021
Four College of Human Sciences students will advance to the university-wide College-by-College Pitch Off Finale later this month, based on the 90-second pitches about the original ideas or business proposals they presented to a panel of judges at the Human Sciences College-by-College Pitch Off, Feb. 18.
The College-by-College Pitch Off Finale is set for 4-6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 25, at the LaunchPad in the Student Innovation Center. Register online for the virtual watch party.
Bingyue Wei, a Ph.D. candidate in apparel, merchandising, and design, won $500 and first place in the existing business/idea category. Wei promoted plans for The Puzzle Clothing System for Kids, which enables young children to connect various pieces of garments themselves.
Brynn Sweere, a graduate student in event management, earned $500 and first place in the new idea category. Sweere presented Pivot, an app that delivers live performances to your doorstep. The interactive app offers a safe and socially distanced solution that brings art to audiences, who can contribute to dialogue and virtually applaud for performers.
Lauren Niehm, a senior in apparel, merchandising, and design, received $250 and was named runner-up in the existing business/idea category. Niehm pitched Fashion-ABLE, an online adaptive clothing brand for women with special dressing and mobility needs. The collection offers stylish clothing designed for active lifestyles. The brand offers customization and customer consultation options.
Sarah Hixon, a doctoral student in apparel, merchandising, and design, received $250 as the runner-up in the new idea category. Hixon championed Retake Tees, a service that offers direct-to-garment digital printing onto used blank t-shirts, which can be found at places like thrift and resale stores. The ideas aims to reduce post-consumer textile waste by upcycling existing products into business shirts, personal fashion apparel, and gifts.
Announcements