First Place: Magic Mirror
On March 12, Entrepreneurship@DU hosted its quarterly 4impact Challenge at the University of Denver’s Community Commons, bringing together students, alumni and judges for an evening of student-driven innovation. As part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution course, the 4impact Challenge tasked students with developing revolutionary innovations utilizing emerging technologies poised to shape the future. From AI-driven injury prevention to real-time drink safety detection and personalized skincare solutions, the competition showcased cutting-edge innovations designed to solve real-world problems.
This quarter, 25 undergraduate teams designed, tested and pitched their products to DU professors and local industry professionals, with seven teams advancing to the 4impact Challenge. More than just a competition, the 4impact Challenge pushes students to take risks, refine their ideas and present their work with confidence. It fosters a community of driven, ambitious individuals eager to shape the future with bold, creative solutions.
Before revealing the winners, meet the seven outstanding student teams that took the stage:
1. Athlete Armor: AI-Powered Injury Prevention for Athletes
Athlete Armor tackles a widespread issue in sports, injuries caused by poor form, overuse and delayed diagnosis. Designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, this smart compression shirt is embedded with NPU motion sensors and AI-driven analysis to detect improper movement patterns in real time. Unlike fitness trackers that provide surface-level metrics, Athlete Armor creates a 3D digital scan of an athlete’s motion, offering personalized feedback and injury prevention insights.
Second Place: SafeSip
2. SafeSip: A Smart Straw for Drink Safety
Drink spiking remains a major concern, particularly on college campuses, where 1 in 13 students report being drugged without their consent. SafeSip is a high-tech, reusable straw that detects common date rape drugs in real time using IoT sensors and color-changing chemical reactions. If a harmful substance is found, SafeSip discreetly alerts the user through a color-coded indicator and sends a phone notification for immediate action. Unlike traditional drink covers or disposable test strips, SafeSip provides continuous monitoring, blending seamlessly into any social setting to offer peace of mind and proactive safety.
3. Magic Mirror: AI-Powered Personalized Skincare
With over 40 million Americans struggling with acne, skincare remains a frustrating and costly challenge. Magic Mirror is an AI-driven smart mirror that analyzes skin using computer vision and machine learning, providing users with personalized skincare recommendations. The mirror tracks progress over time, adjusts recommendations based on individual skin concerns and integrates augmented reality features for virtual makeup trials. Unlike Samsung’s smart mirror, which offers limited product selections, Magic Mirror provides comprehensive skincare diagnostics tailored to each user’s needs—bringing dermatologist-level analysis into the home.
4. AquaWise: Smart Water Conservation for Households
With 2.2 billion people lacking consistent access to clean water and the U.S. wasting 1 trillion gallons annually, AquaWise aims to reduce water waste while ensuring safer drinking water. This smart faucet attachment features real-time water tracking, an LED indicator for conservation goals and a three-part filtration system. Using narrow AI, the device learns a household’s water consumption patterns and offers personalized conservation tips. Unlike standard faucet filters or leak detection systems, AquaWise combines tracking, filtration and conservation efforts in one eco-friendly, renter-friendly solution.
Third Place: Athlete Armor
5. KitCom: AI-Driven Smart Cooking Assistant
KitCom brings cultural connection and accessibility to home cooking through AI-powered recipe customization. Users can scan recipes, ingredient lists or handwritten notes, and KitCom’s machine learning algorithms generate personalized recipe modifications based on dietary needs, cultural preferences and available ingredients. Unlike traditional recipe apps or smart kitchen devices, KitCom provides real-time voice feedback, ingredient substitutions and step-by-step guidance, making home cooking more inclusive and intuitive.
6. I-Run: AI-Powered Navigation for Visually Impaired Runners
I-Run empowers visually impaired athletes to run independently without a guide. Using LiDAR sensors, AI-driven object recognition and GPS mapping, these smart glasses detect obstacles, terrain changes and optimal routes in real time. The integrated voice assistant provides step-by-step guidance, allowing runners to train confidently and safely. Unlike manual guiding methods, I-Run offers greater autonomy, making it a breakthrough in adaptive sports technology.
7. AirGuard: AI-Powered Portable Air Purifier & Monitor
With 4.2 million deaths annually linked to air pollution, AirGuard offers real-time air quality monitoring and purification for travelers. This wearable, AI-powered device detects pollutants, allergens, and bacteria, filtering the air through advanced filters and UVC sterilization. Unlike standard air purifiers that are stationary, AirGuard provides a personalized “air bubble” of protection, making it ideal for frequent travelers, commuters and individuals with respiratory concerns.
With four expert judges poised to declare a winner, the room buzzed with a mix of professionalism and youthful energy. Anticipation rippled through the crowd as teams delivered their pitches, each one brimming with ambition. As the night came to a close, professor Joshua Ross and professor Neil Pollard took the stage, clutching comically oversized checks and declaratory medals ready to announce the winners of the second 4impact Challenge:
- 1st Place: Magic Mirror
- 2nd Place: SafeSip
- 3rd Place: Athlete Armor
With prizes of $2,000, $1,200, and $400 respectively, each team celebrated their hard-earned recognition as the evening concluded with cheers and congratulations.
The 4impact Challenge is more than just a competition, it’s a launchpad for innovation, creativity and personal growth. By pushing students out of their comfort zones, this challenge provides a rare opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to test their ideas, pitch with confidence and engage with industry professionals who can help bring their visions to life. Beyond the innovative products showcased, a community based on ambition and risk taking help prepare the new generation of entrepreneurs to impact the world. Every team put themselves out there to prove their idea was unique, extending the innovative energy and influence of E@DU.