University Mobile Challenge

On Tuesday February 25, 2014 Thomas Carli (Computer Science), Anshul “AJ” Jain (Computer Science) and Robert “David” Reid (Econ & Accounting) of Shnack will represent the Technology Management Program (TMP) & UC SantaBarbara in Barcelona, Spain at the 2014 University Mobile Challenge, an annual international competition organized by the Applied Innovation Institute.

Shnack is one of fourteen teams from 13 different countries competing in Barcelona at the 2014 GSMA Mobile World Congress this year. They competed against over 300 teams from around the world to secure their spot as a finalist. The team describes their idea as “a mobile application to improve the eating experience at arenas,” and shared that, “one of (the) main features is a pick up option instead of waiting in line.” Two of the team’s members, Thomas and David, are veteran competitors, and serial entrepreneurs. They were both members of the NVC 2013 Finalist team, MyConcierge, and are currently preparing to participate in UC Santa Barbara’s 14th annual New Venture Competition as Shnack. With the support of teammates Allegra Latimer (Chemistry), Brock Noah (Computer Science) and Jameson Opdecoul (Chemical Engineering),Thomas, AJ, and David are sure to achieve great success in all of their endeavors.

Shnack and the other teams competing in the 2014 University Mobile Challenge will be judged on the commercial/social viability of their application, the level of innovation, the quality of the user interface and the overall presentation of their prototype. The team will use the expertise gained from participating in UC Santa Barbara’s New Venture Competition, the education received in TMP’s Lean Start-up course taught by Procore’s Steve Zahm, and extensive consultation with mentors while in Barcelona. Mike Panesis, Entrepreneurial Programs Manager for TMP, says, “ Tom, David, AJ, Allegra, Brock and Jameson have done a great job preparing Shnack for the University Mobile Challenge. They’ve done a lot of customer discovery, built a minimum viable product (MVP), and practiced their pitch to just about anyone who would listen. We at TMP wish them the best!