WEDNESDAY HIGHLIGHTS: The Innovation Whiteboard Challenge

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By Sonya Stinson

This year’s Innovation Whiteboard Challenge, held on Wednesday at the Institute Breakfast, featured two communications technology ideas, two ventures for the music industry and a concept for a non-profit aimed at fostering global awareness.

As usual, the five contestants had five minutes each to sell their business ideas to a panel of judges, with a $10,000 cash prize at stake. The Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Pitney Bowes, State Farm, FedEx and IBM were sponsors of the event.

The judges of the contest were Alfred Edmond, Jr., senior vice president/multimedia editor-at-large of Black Enterprise; Geri Thomas, senior vice president of global diversity and inclusion, Bank of America; and Stuart A. Taylor II, CEO of the Taylor Group.

Contestant Ben Young presented Nexercise, a free iPhone app through which users would compete to win prizes for exercising, with vendors offering discounts on merchandise and Young receiving a percentage of each transaction.

Tiffany Steed presented Power Matt, an embedded wireless charging system for automobiles. She created the prototype to target high-end vehicles and hopes to present it at upcoming auto shows.

Clarence Mitchell presented Flawless Tracks, an independent music production label that he already is operating. He markets pre-made instrumental tracks to rappers, selling leasing rights, exclusive rights and monthly subscriptions.

Justin Grey Welbon presented the Self-Tuning Guitar Kit, which includes a pickup, a micro controller and tuning pads. He’s targeting what he said is a $2 billion music accessory business.
Tracey Friley presented the Passport Party Project, a nonprofit organization that will conduct a nationwide campaign to help girls aged 11 to 16 obtain their first passports. She hopes that her venture will be funded through sponsorships.

This year, the winner was a tie – between Ben Young’s Nexercise and Justin Grey Welbon’s Self-Tuning Guitar Kit.

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