AI-powered vineyard solution snags top spot for team of Master of Data Analytics students
A team of entrepreneurial graduate students from the University of Niagara Falls Canada were pitch perfect with their made-in-Niagara solution to tackling grapevine diseases.
Organized by Arden University in the United Kingdom, UNF students competed against other higher education institutions from the Global University Systems (GUS) network in the GUS Business Pitch Competition. Their innovative idea to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) in identifying and recommending solutions for diseases affecting grapevines impressed the judges and helped earn them a joint first place finish, alongside GISMA Business School for its travel app pitch.
UNF’s team of Master of Data Analytics students included Roberto Reyna Delgado (team lead), Carlos Alberto Juarez Maldonado, Emmanuel Santiago Forero, Kalid Sacbe Juarez Ponce, and Wilmer Mateo Heras Vera.
Their winning concept, called Le Crems, addresses the prevalent issue of grapevine diseases in Niagara, where growers often face challenges in timely and accurate identification. The students’ AI-driven solution aims to analyze data to pinpoint specific diseases and suggest targeted interventions, minimizing environmental impact and potentially saving growers times and resources. The students worked with local grape growers and vineyard experts to conduct research.
“Their idea focuses on collecting and analyzing detailed data to provide specific recommendations, offering a more sustainable and effective approach compared to current widespread treatments,” explained Sathy Srithar, Associate Dean of the Master of Management program at UNF. He led the university’s participation in this event.
The teams were given 15 minutes to pitch their startup ideas, followed by a five-minute question-and-answer session with the judging panel.
As the joint winning team, UNF secured a prize of £1,500 and bragging rights. The judges lauded the team’s insightful approach and the potential of their project. Looking ahead, UNF plans to continue participating in similar competitions, including local ones.
“Competitions like these provide a vital platform for our students to apply their classroom learning to real-world challenges,” said Srithar. “It fosters crucial skills in pitching, business development, and attracting potential investors. This win also serves as a fantastic motivator for future students.”
The team received mentorship from five faculty members - Ashkan Pourzeinali, Samer Kobrossy, Ehsan Torabizadeh, Hamid Peikari, and Sajjad Hossain – who shared their expertise in social innovation, marketing, and finance. The mentors played a crucial role in refining the students’ initial idea and preparing them for competition.
“(The students) started with a raw concept and the mentorship provided the necessary guidance and support to develop it into a winning pitch,” said Srithar.
Additional support was provided by Kirti Khanzode, Associate Dean of the Honours Bachelor of Business Administration program at UNF, and Sam Edgar, Associate Director of Student Experience. Faculty members also extended a special thanks to their strategic partner, the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub, for playing a pivotal role in providing mentorship, guiding students in refining their business models, and offering a platform to develop and showcase their projects.
“It’s great to see faculty and staff come together to work with our students and help prepare them for this competition,” said David Gray, Provost and Vice-President, Academic at UNF. “We are so proud of the students and the hard work they put into this competition.”
