UNH Today

A team specializing in engineering and business earned the $15,000 grand prize at the 36th Paul J. Holloway Prize Innovation to Market Competition. 

Drift-RMT emerged victorious following an impressive final round on May 8, where six teams of student entrepreneurs from across the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) pitched their business plans to a panel of esteemed alums and industry-leading judges.  

Drift-RMT is a renewable ocean data collection device that uses wave motion for self-sustaining power. The team included Kara Wittmann, Riley Desmarais and William Moore from the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and Paul College student Cameron Vose. 

Ocean surface drifters collect data for climate modeling, severe weather prediction and ocean navigation. Traditional drifters last about 18 months, but many die sooner. The Drift-RMT drifter is projected to last 4-6 years and tackles the issue of marine pollution from its battery-operated counterparts. 

The Drift-RMT team will now focus on the Marine Energy Collegiate Competition (MECC) in Portland, Oregon at the end of May.     

Second Place 

The Trim-Able accessible nail trimmer took home the $10,000 second-place prize. 

Trim-Able is the world’s first Bluetooth automatic nail trimmer designed to help people who have difficulty using standard nail trimmers. Trim-Able was created by Kyle Dimick of Plymouth State University. 

Third Place 

Info-P earned the $5,000 third-place prize. Info-P is a revolutionary urinary tract infection detection solution providing continuous, accurate patient data to save healthcare facilities time and money.  

The Info-P team featured UNH nursing students David Brown, Sophie Grondin, Cecilia Robison and Matthew Harry from the College of Health and Human Services. 

In addition to earning third place, Info-P won the inaugural New Hampshire Impact Award. The award recognizes ventures, regardless of where they place in the competition, that would significantly impact the New Hampshire community and economy if successfully launched. 

Runner-Up Teams 

The three runner-up teams, each earning $1,000, were: 

• Centrip: An online platform that provides a centralized location for study abroad necessities, prioritizing organization, connection and affordability through various features. The team included Paul College students Avery Langone, Emmett Roy, Alexander Cruz and Axel Barretto. 
• Rose Beauty: A skincare product that provides skin protection against blue light digital exposure while offering a pampering yet convenient experience for women in their 20s and 30s. The team included Paul College students Allison Ivers, Gianna Salvi, Alexandra Bonadies and Delaney Cunningham. Rose Beauty was the People’s Choice Award Winner, earning the team an additional $2,000. 
• The After Grad Pad: A platform designed to seamlessly ease the transition from university housing to city renting for graduating college seniors. Paul College student Brandon Murphy created the platform. 

Named in honor of Paul J. Holloway, an accomplished business leader and successful entrepreneur, the Holloway competition is USNH's premier business plan competition for undergraduate and graduate students. 

Students from UNH, Plymouth State University and Keene State College are invited every year to compete for cash prizes totaling $40,000.