Student entrepreneurs from across the University of Miami took the stage to present market-ready solutions to real-world challenges during the Engineering Pitch and Innovation Challenge (EPIC), highlighting the University's growing culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Hosted by the College of Engineering, EPIC is sponsored by the Rothberg Catalyzer Fund and brings together interdisciplinary student teams to pitch early-stage ventures to a panel of judges from the entrepreneurial and investment community, with an emphasis on translating bold ideas into viable, scalable solutions.
"These students went beyond concepts and presentations," said Lokesh Ramamoorthi, senior lecturer for electrical and computer engineering and organizer for the competition. "They built working prototypes and have developed technologies that can truly make a difference in people's lives."
This year, seven teams pitched innovations spanning health care, defense, consumer technology, civil engineering, and emergency response.
The first-place prize was awarded to StyloSight, a health technology startup reimagining one of the most widely used tools in airway management. The team developed a disposable intubation stylet with integrated video capability, transforming a standard medical device into an affordable, tablet-compatible solution. By eliminating the need for costly capital equipment, StyloSight's innovation expands access to life-saving airway visualization technology across a range of clinical environments.
Taking second place was TurboForge Technologies, which is advancing metal additive manufacturing to produce small-scale turbojet engines for military, commercial, and consumer unmanned aerial vehicles. The team's approach reduces manufacturing costs while optimizing performance, addressing a critical need in the rapidly growing UAV market.
Third place went to HouseAI, a consumer technology startup offering an AI-powered interior design visualization platform. Available in the App Store, the app has already surpassed 70,000 downloads and allows users to visualize living spaces and directly purchase the exact products featured in AI-generated designs from major retailers including IKEA and Amazon.
The Cane Angel Network awarded a special Momentum Prize to DuoLith, a civil engineering–focused venture developing a modular, AI-driven, multi-material 3D printing system. The technology enables rapid, collapse-resistant additive construction by combining concrete deposition with an instantly cured polymer grid, offering new possibilities for high-precision, automated building applications.
Additional teams participating in EPIC presented innovations ranging from smart rehabilitation systems and wearable cooling technologies to autonomous drone swarms designed for search-and-rescue operations.
The teams were mentored by Launch Pad, the University's resource center for the entrepreneurial community, providing them guidance in bringing their project ideas to life.
EPIC reflects the University of Miami's commitment to empowering student entrepreneurs and advancing innovation through the support of partners such as the Rothberg Catalyzer Fund and the Cane Angel Network, helping students turn ideas born in the classroom into ventures with real-world impact.
