Study Abroad: Porto, Portugal
Study Abroad: Porto, Portugal
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In the Summer of 2023, I attended the European Innovation Academy in Porto, Portugal on an entrepreneurship study abroad. We were tasked with solving a world problem in just three weeks and pitching our idea to venture capitalists.
Problem: Deep-Rural Food Waste
Problem: Deep-Rural Food Waste
In many developing countries, underprivileged citizens do not have the resources to keep their food cold and fresh. As a result, what little food they have is at risk of spoiling. Their options are to eat spoiled food or let it go to waste.
Our team of four aspiring entrepreneurs rose to the challenge and created Freo Refrigeration. I acted as CEO and lead engineer. To learn more about the project and the international team behind it, visit Freo's website that I designed.
Solution: Non-electric Refrigerator
Solution: Non-electric Refrigerator
I did all the CAD work using Onshape to represent our minimum viable product. Our non-electric refrigerator uses evaporative cooling to keep the food inside much cooler than the surrounding environment. A user simply pours water into the fabric side panels, and as the water leaves as water vapor, it takes heat with it and cools the inner compartment.
From left to right: Jonathan Koss (CMO), Giovanni Divaia (CPO), Logan Wilder (CEO), Grace McDonald (CDO)
Pitch Competition
Pitch Competition
At the end of the three weeks, we pitched Freo Refrigeration to a panel of investors. We competed against 100 other teams. While we were not among the top ten teams, I learned a great deal that will benefit me in future entrepreneurial endeavors.
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