College Coders takes top prize in 2016 Georgian Den
April 14, 2016
Irin Avery, left, and Marco Duarte are part of a team of five Georgian students that won the grand prize winners of the 2016 Georgian Den competition with their College Coders business concept. (Georgian College/Doug Crawford)
Marco Duarte and Irin Avery aim to be the College Pro Painters of the computer coding world. Duarte and Avery worked with three other Georgian students to develop a well-rounded concept for a business call College Coders. The team took first place and a $5,000 cheque in the 2016 Georgian Den competition at the Barrie Campus of Georgian College on Wednesday, April 13.
The prizes, $10,000 in total, were donated for the second year in a row by Casino Rama. The event, for students with entrepreneurial concepts, is based on the popular Dragons’ Den television show.
Duarte, who is going into year three of the Computer Programmer Analyst program, aims to solve an age old problem. He hopes to help students who can’t get a job in their field because they don’t have sufficient industry experience – but they can’t get that experience without being hired by someone.
College Coders will offer the expertise of Georgian students to small businesses that need expert assistance in creating or updating websites, on a contract basis at an affordable price. In return, students gain practical experience for their resumé and earn a fee that encourages them to stay working in their field.
The concept came together in early April at a Startup Weekend sponsored by Georgian’s Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre, said Duarte.
“The whole concept came together at Startup Weekend. Then when the Georgian Den opportunity came along we decided to solidify it into a solid business plan,” he said. “The idea is to add value for students and for businesses on a limited budget. Students gain experience and businesses get the technical help they need to move their operations ahead.”
Much of the discussion has taken place around chairs and work benches of the brand new Peter B. Moore Changemaker Space at the Barrie Campus. It’s a place where inquisitive minds can gather to talk and work through all things technological.
Initially, College Coders will look to students from three Georgian programs – Computer Programmer, Computer Programmer/Analyst and Interactive Web Design and Development. However, Duarte can see future possibilities for using the services of those in other programs such as Big Data Analytics, Information Systems Security and Computer Systems Technician.
Looking ever further ahead, Duarte says the firm could eventually include students from other programs with graphic design, photography and writing skills to help businesses meet all their technical and marketing needs.
Final round judges in this year’s Georgian Den included Jenna Hunter, Director of Public Relations, Casino Rama; Chris Partridge, partner, Wildeboer Dellelce (exclusive legal advisors to CBC Television’s Dragons’ Den); Alex Tilley, owner and founder of Tilley Endurables; and Sandy Robertson, founder and director of the Georgian Angel Network.
Other winning business concepts:
Second place -$2,500
Forever Pet Care Inc.
(Richard Nelson, Kathy Esch, Joy Noble, Nikki Mullin, Laleh Khodaparast)
Our pets may well live beyond our lifespan. This business provides a service that provides care for your pets in the event of your passing away first.
Third place – $1,000
Quick Cart
(Satwinder Singh, Erin Bainbridge, Karleigh Muir, Uriel Toro, Pauline Lacoursiere)
Ever tried to stick to a tight budget in the grocery or department store? The Quick Cart is a product that allows you to scan your purchases as you shop all the time keeping tally of the total purchases. It offers convenience to the customers and can help retailers reduce their labour costs.
Fourth, fifth and sixth place -$500 per team
Cribode
(Brittany Harrison, Oceanna Watson, Sydney Osborne, Robert Sawyer)
Can’t find the perfect roommate or tenant? This computer application works to match your needs and personality with those seeking roommates or tenants in the housing market.
Peace in the Ruckus
Rylin Talbot
This business provides a service that matches the passion and experience of a personal trainer with the resistance and antipathy of clients who seek a healthier and sustainable lifestyle.
Fit Me
(Nikira Ellis)
Tired of sending back those online purchases that just don’t fit properly? Fit Me is a computer application that creates your own 3-D avatar that will try on your clothes, jewellery and other accessories before you make your purchase.
Jonathan Andrews, left, and Marco Duarte are the grand prize winners of the 2016 Georgian Den competition with their College Coders business concept. (Georgian College/Doug Crawford)