The Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship at BYU–Hawaii hosted the annual Ryan and Shauna Ockey Great Ideas Competition, an event celebrating student innovation and entrepreneurship. The semifinals and finals were held from November 13 to 14, and scholarships were awarded to the top three teams. The other seven finalists received participation scholarships worth $500, ensuring recognition for their efforts.
The competition encouraged students to pitch creative business ideas that align with the university’s mission to prepare them as leaders and disciples of Jesus Christ in their families, communities, and professions. It created an opportunity to empower students and build their confidence as they expand their network, stretch and grow, and have a positive impact globally as they find ways to serve throughout the world.
Kundan Yadav, a senior from India majoring in information technology won the first-place prize of $3,000 for his business idea, DavaSeva (meaning "Medicine Service"), which aims to empower his community in West Bengal, India by providing affordable healthcare and creating local jobs while addressing two major challenges: the high cost of branded medicines and the difficulty many people face in traveling long distances to access healthcare. Partnering with a generic pharmaceutical company, DavaSeva plans “to offer low-cost medicines with online ordering and doorstep delivery services.”
Reflecting on the experience of competing, Yadav credited the university and his faith as key to his achievement. “BYU–Hawaii has offered me mentors, resources, and opportunities to develop a growth mindset and turn setbacks into stepping stones. The gospel of Jesus Christ has transformed my life, helping me realize my true potential and purpose. Without the gospel, BYU–Hawaii, and the generosity of donors, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this success or envision blessing others through my business.”
Coming in second place, and the winner of $2,500, as well as the People’s Choice award, was SafeZone, a business idea focusing on distributing GPS trackers for motorcycles in the Philippines, with the idea of ending motorcycle theft in the country. The company partners with OSUNO, a tech firm in Vietnam, to be the exclusive distributor of its products. The team included founders Tom Leo Mandam and Jade Cortes-Magracia, both seniors from the Philippines majoring in supply chain; Zyle Javaluyas, a junior from the Philippines majoring in accounting; and Jada Loganimoce, a junior from Washington state majoring in business management.
“This competition helped me uncover God-given talents, including discovering and honing my entrepreneurial skills,” Mandam shared. “It also allowed me to recognize that God-given gifts are bestowed to us for His wise purpose and the benefit of His children, which in this case, I am now able to help solve some of society’s problems.”
“I’m grateful to be a part of such an amazing team that helped me take the opportunities here on campus and understand and learn from the mentors and peers,” Javaluyas said, thankful for the event’s opportunities.
The competition included a public showcase on November 13, where forty-one semifinalists displayed their projects to faculty, peers, and judges where projects ranged from tech-based solutions to tools for creating global connections.
Rory Pilkington, a semifinalist and sophomore from Australia majoring in finance and supply chain, shared, “Presenting here at the competition allows for a situation where you can be confident and secure in your ideas and your abilities to run a business.”
Grace Taliu, a semifinalist and junior from Fiji majoring in business management, shared, “Coming from a small island, it’s been so great to listen to judges because they give you feedback that allows for a better projection,” Taliu shared. “I walked in with this idea, and when we began, our pitch was much different. The pitch we eventually ended up with was a cleaner version because of the judges.”
The Great Ideas Competition serves as a platform for students to explore their creativity, refine their ideas, and receive valuable mentorship from professionals. Through the process, participants gain the confidence and skills needed to transform their ideas into businesses, fostering the next generation of leaders and disciples of Jesus Christ as they prepare to make a positive impact on their communities and the world.