Sometimes all you need is an idea – and a little encouragement. That’s how Gavin Kesselring earned the Technology Idea award – and a $500 prize – in AACC’s annual Big Idea Competition.
In the spirit of TV’s “Shark Tank,” the competition offers students a chance to pitch an original idea that solves a problem or creates a convenience to a panel of judges via video.
Knowing he was hesitant to enter, Associate Professor Stephanie Goldenberg offered encouragement and inspired him to take part.
Kesselring settled on one of several ideas and calls it Peake Technology Labs. “… It’s a space for students, creatives, business owners and entrepreneurs to all come together and work on growing their ideas,” Kesselring said. “So, we would have lots of technology there, like cameras, computers, recording equipment, lighting … to shoot photos, videos, content, all that stuff.”
His goal is to provide resources for others who are trying to start a business but can’t purchase the required technology. “It’s mainly for digital content … whether that’s running a social media page for other businesses or running a social media page for your own business. …”
For his ideas focusing on technological solutions to a problem, Kesselring captured the Technology Idea award, which also grants a $500 prize to the recipient.
Kesselring believes winning the Technology Idea award validates his idea and encourages others to take part in the competition. “… Just step out of your shell, give it a shot. … You can try, and not win, and you just try again next year. The college has the Big Idea Competition. And they have … the Business Pitch Competition later in the year where that one you can win, I think it's $25,000. So, that opens the door for a lot. So, if you really have ideas, go for that. And that could make your dreams come true. ….”
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