The 2023 PSU Cleantech Challenge is kicking off and this year’s competition features an amazing group of innovative and creative student entrepreneurs! Let’s get to know the group of finalists who will be bringing their projects to the stage on March 31st.
Artermis
Team Artemis is led by Romita Sekar, an MBA/MSF candidate, she brings with her a passion for making change that began in her previous career practicing corporate law in India. Inspired by the massive Oregon wildfires in recent years, Romita is working on a solution to repurpose the carbon created by fire with capture and refining technology. She is developing a system to collect carbon waste and convert it into carbon black usable in cosmetic products.
BreatheitClean
Alessandra Ranesi is a Ph.D. candidate in the Civil Engineering program on visiting period at the Healthy Buildings Research Laboratory, and also the founder of BreatheitClean. She is working on reusing biowaste to create wall plaster to act as a moisture passive regulator and pollutant remover for the passive enhancement of indoor air quality and comfort.
Dicot
Carlton “CB” Bone, a Master's student of Anthropology and Mauria Betts are creating Dicot. Dicot wants to solve the ecological impacts of the monoculture system, specifically grain economies.Their solution is to create low impact, ecologically sustainable hemp foods, starting with Hemp Microgreens.
Team ‘Bucha
Meet Pablo V. Cazares, Tylin Burton, and Ava Zavala;the people behind Team ‘Bucha. Pablo is currently completing his B.S. in Art Practice, Ava recently graduated with a B.A. in Arts & Letters and a minor in Graphic Design, and Tylin recently earned an Associates of Science from PCC, and is working toward a Bachelor’s in Biology from PSU. Together team ‘Bucha is tackling the issue of a lack of sustainable materials in apparel manufacturing. Using kombucha pellice, they are developing a system to process sustainable polyester for clothing.
EZDapt
EZDapt is made up of three members: Nicholas Lekas, a second year graduate student studying Analog and RF engineering. Danaya Murphy, a first year electrical engineering undergraduate, and Ben Crall, a final year electrical engineering undergraduate. Accessible Toys is helping support children with mobility issues by making accessible toy cars. Specifically, their goal is to create a drop in circuit board that will make car adaptation easier for volunteers, and to provide an alternative to soldering by developing easy-use connectors.
Eco-Impact Solutions
Meet Stephanie L. Acevedo who is the founder of Eco-Impact Solutions, and a Graduate student studying Social Innovation & sustainable entrepreneurship. Stephanie’s is looking to fight climate change by limiting methane emissions and waste. She is working on developing a kitchen in-sink composter that allows one to convert garbage disposal into compost in order to separate organic matter out of landfill.
The annual PSU Cleantech Challenge is a showcase of the innovative spirit fostered at PSU. Students from across disciplines come together each year to solve some of the biggest issues our communities face today. Students are supported throughout their journey with mentorship, coaching, and prototyping funds. Throughout the next few months, teams will work through processes such as design thinking, business modeling, and market research in order to get to the prototype building phase for their ideas and pitch at the Cleantech Finals. The top two teams will be invited to further their prototype during the Invent Oregon competitions.
“The dedication and incredible ingenuity that each of these innovators brings to the table truly speaks to not only their own entrepreneurial spirit but to the support the community provides to Portland State students.” Abigail Van Gelder, Director of the PSU Center for Entrepreneurship.