An AI-powered app that transforms educational materials into personalised learning tools has taken out the top prize in the University of Adelaide's Tech eChallenge program.
Winning team of the University of Adelaide's Tech eChallenge awards, Quixly, along with ThincLab members. (L-R) Sabina Zeynalova, Gerald Mendeja, Vlad Popkov, Zrinka Tokic, and Paul John Collantes Legaspi.
Quixly, created by students Paul John Collantes Legaspi, Gerald Mendeja and Vlad Popkov, allows parents and students to instantly convert homework assignments, study materials, and classroom content into engaging quizzes, flashcards, and study guides, all with a simple tap.
"Experiencing and witnessing educational struggles firsthand, Quixly was born from the aspiration to make academic learning accessible and enjoyable for everyone," says Master of Technology Innovation and Leadership student, Legaspi.
"The Tech eChallenge has provided us with a transformative journey creating a tangible technology solution that actually solves a real-world problem.
"We're especially grateful for the support from Thinclab and the invaluable guidance of industry leaders, which has truly enriched our academic experience here at the University. Winning this program has validated our efforts and inspired us to continue. Our team plans to continue our efforts to bring our idea to market with the support of Thinclab."
The Tech eChallenge is a 12-week experiential course for University of Adelaide students run through ThincLab, the University's business incubator. The program guides students through the process of identifying real-world problems and developing tech-based solutions.
Over the course, participants explore user needs, design and build functional prototypes, and assess factors such as feasibility, desirability and market viability without requiring prior software development experience.
"Tech eChallenge students start with just an idea and, by the end of the 12-week course, bring real, working apps and software to life," says ThincLab Director, Zrinka Tokic.
"Watching them turn into confident, passionate creators eager to share their product is so rewarding."
This year, 59 teams participated in the program, with 10 finalists pitching their ideas to a panel of industry experts at a showcase event.
"The 2025 cohort, across our faculties impressed us by using emerging enabling technologies such as Generative AI to illustrate their solutions across various domains, including edtech, hospitality, aged care, healthcare, and retail," says Dr Manjula Dissanayake, Academic Director of ThincLab and Entrepreneurship Programs at Adelaide Business School at the University of Adelaide.
Second place was awarded to Vitalyn, which is a project by Sophie Lynch, Tanisha Prashar, Yashika Verma and Shruthika Vijayakumar. Vitalyn aims to streamline the blood testing process by removing the need for a traditional GP visit. The app provides an online GP referral, followed by test results delivered directly to a customer portal, with AI-interpreted summaries and suggestions on whether follow-up care is needed.
Third place went to LivLocal, an app developed by Anwitha Aromel, Isabella Cordera, Tyla Lay and Jemima Richter, designed to help travellers, especially young females, in finding places they can feel safe exploring. The app delivers real-time safety heat maps generated by previous travellers and local guides while an AI algorithm further tailors recommendations based on the user's preferences.
The three winning teams were awarded cash prizes from an $8,000 prize pool, as well as continued access to ThincLab.
Following the Tech eChallenge, the annual Australian eChallenge kicks off in July as a public, statewide competition that helps develop strategic business thinking in early-stage entrepreneurial ventures.
