In May 2013, students from many of the most promising startups on campus came together to compete in Stanford’s biggest entrepreneurial competitions: the Social E-Challenge and the E-Challenge. Eager teams and their mentors hoped that their hard work and unique product would be recognized as superior by the VCs and angel investors watching that day. In the end, winners Anjna and Awair walked away with $25,000 each in prizes to help launch their businesses.
The organizer for the competitions is the Business Association of Stanford Entrepreneurial Students(BASES) program. Our mentors have advised students on various aspects of compiling a business plan, creating a well-functioning team and formulating a compelling product. EFN has had the pleasure of mentoring more than 200 Stanford students since 2004 and we congratulate the most recent winners, Anjna and Awair!
Anjna, winner of the Social E Challenge, is a non-profit that automates appointments and medical reminders via text message, and also delivers tailored medical content. The venture aims to target poorer communities in the United States that are more at risk of acquiring preventable and chronic illnesses. One great aspect of their service is sending medication dosage information to the message recipient at appropriate times. Aniina’s EFN mentor, Dinesh Katiyar, Partner at Accel Partners, in Palo Alto, commented that “Anjna provides truly life-impacting value using increasingly accessible mobile technology, and its been exciting to be a small part in this company’s journey.”
The winner of the E-Challenge, Awair, has invented a patient ventilation system. The gag-inducing tubes used in intensive care units to deliver air are often accompanied by heavy sedation. Awair uses topical nerve numbing so no sedation is needed, leading to improved patient comfort and faster healing times.