2018 StartUp Showcase Winners

First Place – Drake's Toys | Emma Schoth

Drake’s Toys is a subscription box company that caters to children with special needs, such as Autism. Customized boxes are purchased and shipped on a monthly, quarterly, or one-time basis. The boxes include different educational toys and therapeutic items that will aid in the child’s development. Each box contains anywhere from three to eight items and are picked specifically for each child’s needs. A box could include items such as chewable pencil toppers, fidget cubes, sensory fidget items, books, and musical toys.

One in every fifty-nine children are diagnosed with Autism, but there are very few resources available for these children to fill their sensory and therapeutic needs through items they can have in their own homes. Not only does Drake's Toys fill that need, but also makes it easier to receive these items by sending them in monthly or quarterly packages directly to the door of the families.                                                   

Second Place – The Computer Kid | Daniel Kogan

The Computer Kid helps with technology challenges for adults, families, and senior citizens right in their home. Sending College and High School young adults opposed to IT professionals who charge too much for simple services. Moms need experienced students to setup their kid’s parental controls. Dads want to learn how to use a new iPhone. Senior citizens want help learning how to use their computers. Clients simply call in and schedule an appointment. A Computer Kid is then assigned and sent to take care of the technology challenges and needs

Third Place – Strictly Sugar| Abby Testin

Strictly Sugar is a custom cake decorating business run from a tiny house.  The customers will experience an inviting atmosphere where they can connect with the baker and view the decorating process. Customers receive individual customer service helping personalize their cakes and kitchens. Most bakeries work from stock designs, however, strictly sugar specializes in making each design different from the last. The business will be run from a tiny house, it can begin with one tiny house and expand to include a tiny house for each part of the creation process. The business could become a tiny house village that can travel and expand across the U.S.