We’ve kept close track of how the the Minnesota teams from TechnovationMN have fared as they progressed through the global Technovation Challenge competition. We’re happy to say that team Furst Class Techies walked away with the Audience Choice Award and an Honorable Mention in the Middle School Division at the World Pitch Technovation competition in San Francisco.
Andrea Richard, Rylee Melius, and Lydia Mindermann’s app, Mayo FreeTime, was developed to help patients at Mayo Clinic find things to do between appointments, helping them and their families reduce stress, anxiety, boredom, sadness, or loneliness. The team was guided by Coach Sharie Furst, Kasson-Mantorville Middle School STEM teacher and Mentor Kris Kendall, Software Engineer at IBM Rochester.
Team members commented, “Winning the Audience Choice Award was empowering, energizing, and we were really proud. The whole World Pitch experience was awesome!”
This competition brings finalists together from the Global Technovation Challenge, a technology entrepreneurship competition for girls. World Pitch recognized 10 finalist teams from India, Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria, and the United States.
Additionally, Jean Weiss, Executive Board Member of Technovation[MN] was also recognized by Technovation for her outstanding dedication and leadership as a Technovation Regional Ambassador. (As a board member of TechnovationMN I can say, without hesitation, there is no one more deserving than Jean to be recognized in this way).
Cheers to all involved with TechnovationMN, especially the young women who represent a bright future for technology.
(Programming note-Shawn Stavseth, Executive Director and Co-founder of TechnovationMN will join us for the Minnov8 Gang Podcast available on 7/27/15)