Keychain accessory brand, BsafeKc, won the inaugural USC Challenge on March 28, 2024.
Founded by Lily Yang, a second-year Western Student, BsafeKc is a brand aiming to enhance safety and peace of mind through fashionable non-lethal safety keychains. The main safety function resides in a safety alarm, which one can pull in an emergency to attract attention to oneself and startle the aggressor. In the past seven months, Yang has vendor partnerships with seven universities and colleges in Ontario and the U.S., selling over 1200 sets and generating $30k in revenue.
Yang received a cash prize of $2,500, and the opportunity to showcase BsafeKC products at the Spring Market in the UCC Atrium, organized by the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship Powered by Ivey.
The USC Entrepreneurship Challenge was spearheaded by outgoing USC President Sunday Ajak and Morrissette Entrepreneurship. The competition included workshops by serial entrepreneur Ash Singh, HBA '04, and multiple rounds of evaluations. The judging panel for the finals included Eric Morse, Executive Director of Morrissette Entrepreneurship, Sarah Buck, Director, External at Morrissette Entrepreneurship, Stephanie Curtis, CEO of Pace Creative Group, Nicolas Mingorance-Geraldo, Co-Founder and President of Western Cyber Society, and Ajak.
Second place was won by Mappo founded by Ryan Castellarin, an indoor navigation software that enhances efficiency, accessibility and connectivity for all users. Castellarin and Mappo received a cash prize of $1000.
Third place prize of $500 was secured by Frigosphere founded by Erin Stright, Alice Kova, and Aidan Macpherson. Frigosphere is an app that helps students manage grocery budgets efficiently, track food inventory, suggest recipes based on current supplies, and generate customized budget-friendly shopping lists.
The aim of the challenge was to ignite the innovative spark within the student body by encouraging the development of products or services that enhance students’ lives and can be used throughout their undergraduate journey. From academic support to financial assistance and lifestyle improvements, the competition sought ideas that resonated with the daily experiences of students while also addressing issues of sustainability, affordability, and usage.