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DriveOff Wins BigIdea! Pitch Contest

Erin Dabbs

Erin Dabbs is a junior studying management, marketing and entrepreneurship.

OMAHA – About 150 students with an original business idea entered the 2016 BigIdea! Elevator Pitch Contest.

The contest began on Monday, Oct. 10, when all contestants performed 90-second pitches in front of panels of Omaha entrepreneurs and business experts.

Twelve finalists pitched in front of a live audience on Thursday, Oct. 13, in Mammel Hall.

  • Nathan Brtek: Block Lift
  • Erin Dabbs: Drive-Off
  • Jake Ferrin: Flash
  • Brevan Jorgenson: CIST / ECON 2400
  • Connor Kelley: Study Point
  • Courtney Kusmierski: Programmable pet food bowl
  • Quinn Nelson: Order Pay Eat
  • Hannah Olson: Hannah Caroline Couture Bridal
  • Erin Rhoten: Simply Sweet Bakery
  • Spencer Robinson: Gig Smart
  • Chris Winchester: DIY Bow Tie
  • Collin Wyler: Go Now

Business student Erin Dabbs won first place for DriveOff, an app that incentivizes drivers to stay off their phones. Her prizes include $1,000 and a trip to Tampa, Florida, for the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization national conference.

Runners up included:

  • Connor Kelley, second place
  • Collin Wyler, third place
  • Brevan Jorgenson, outstanding nonprofit/social venture

For more information about this competition, visit http://cba.unomaha.edu/bigidea.

Direct questions to Dale Eesley, director of UNO's Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Franchising: deesley@unomaha.edu