2018 UMaine Business Challenge winners announced

The UMaine Business Challenge, presented by Business Lending Solutions, hosted the seventh annual collegiate business plan competition March 31 at the University of Maine.

This year’s winners — all UMaine students — are Patrick Breeding of Zephyrus Simulations, who won the first place-prize of $5,000; Nicholas Lajoie of IoTato, who was awarded the $10,000 innovation prize; and Justin Gagnon and the 207 Backpacks team, who received the second-place prize of $1,000.

Prior to winning the UMaine Business Challenge, Breeding and his team also won grants from the Libra Future Fund and the Maine Technology Institute for their low-cost medical breathing simulator.

Lajoie has developed technology using affordable sensors to help potato farmers manage their inventory to prevent rot during the winter. He will receive $5,000 up front and another $5,000 when he achieves milestones set by the challenge’s advisory board.

Gagnon and his team are creating a proprietary modular pack system that will help more people get outdoors.