University of Rhode Island students, faculty, and alumni showcased entrepreneurial ideas during the Spring 2026 RISE-UP Ideation Studio Pitch Night, hosted by URI Innovations on April 22.
Participants spent the semester developing early-stage ventures through weekly programming, mentorship, and independent work. The event highlighted the growing momentum of innovation and entrepreneurship across the URI community, with ideas spanning healthcare, AI, sustainability, consumer products, and advanced technology.
Top awards were presented to:
- 1st place: Christopher dos Reis, RowRunner, $1,500
A senior accounting major, dos Reis is from Bristol, Rhode Island. RowRunner is a stadium delivery system that allows fans to order food and drinks directly to their seats at sporting events and concerts. - 2nd place: Juan Vallejo, TRADER, $750
Vallejo is a senior computer science major from Central Falls, Rhode Island. TRADER is a customer relationship management billing system for contractors. - 3rd place: Heidi Cheng, NODE, $500
Cheng, from New York City, is in the URI Doctor of Pharmacy program and expects to graduate in 2028. NODE is a pharmaceutical intelligence platform for fast and efficient drug re-purposing.
The other projects presented at Ideation Studio’s Pitch Night included:
- ArtBlock Studios, a platform for users to choose and distinguish what is original art vs AI generated art
- JIVATECH, an AI-powered conservation technology platform designed to protect endangered species by preventing deaths before they happen
- PULSE, signal integrity framework that identifies catastrophic machine failures before they happen
- SipSmarter, an app that allows users to easily and efficiently track their drinking (alcohol) habits
- ML Systems, an approach to transform the building industry by combining loan origination, deconstruction, and construction, while contributing positively to the environment
- reFlex, a soft, electrically actuated rehabilitation glove designed to assist individuals with impaired hand function due to neurological conditions
- Service Surfer, an AI-powered local service discovery platform built to make finding reliable, affordable home repair services simple and efficient
- Beyond, an AI-powered headphone that helps users in their daily tasks
- UnTethered, a modular, magnetically integrated disc golf bag system
- Global Study Pathways, a study abroad advisory service for parents to support their students before, during, and after studying abroad
- MANUO, innovative, research-backed tools used to build personal kits that support executive functioning where and when they are needed most
Ideation Studio is part of URI Innovations’ RISE-UP program, which helps students, researchers, and community innovators explore pathways from idea to impact. Enrollment is open for the fall 2026 cohort of the RISE-UP Ideation Studio.