A new generation of entrepreneurs stepped into the spotlight, presenting startup concepts in the Blackstone LaunchPad “From Idea to Impact” competition.
Open to undergraduate and graduate students across the university, the competition guided participants through concept validation, market research and investor-style presentations before culminating in a live pitch-off Feb. 10. The program awarded $12,000 in total prize funding, giving eager entrepreneurs seed money to take their ideas to the next stage.
First place and a $5,000 prize went to Fotochi, a service platform designed to connect photographers with clients through a marketplace model similar to Uber or Airbnb. Team members Isabella Mina and Shawn Vithayathil, both International MBA students, said the idea emerged from firsthand experience identifying gaps in the photography industry.
“I started my own entertainment company, and that’s where I found out there’s a problem finding photographers,” Vithayathil said. “I decided to work on that and fix that problem.”
First place winners, Shawn Vithayathil (L) and Isabella Mina (R).
To validate the concept, the team analyzed projected market revenue, reviewed competitors and spoke directly with photographers struggling to secure consistent work. They also drew on personal industry exposure to better understand the needs of both photographers and clients.
“We wanted to make sure we had a platform that could solve the problem for both sides,” Mina said.
The funds are going straight back into Fotochi, accelerating development, particularly in building the platform’s initial infrastructure.
“The prize money will help so much in terms of even building the website from scratch,” Vithayathil said, adding that he believes the concept could scale into a major marketplace platform.
Beyond funding, the experience highlighted the importance of persistence and access to entrepreneurial resources. Vithayathil described the early startup phase as the most difficult, noting that many founders abandon ideas too soon.
“As long as you don’t give up and you keep pushing forward, any idea can become a big deal,” he said.
Mina emphasized the role of FIU’s ecosystem in helping students move from concept to execution through networking, mentorship and opportunities to pitch ideas publicly.
“Once you have connections and you can pitch your idea in events like this, you have the opportunity to meet people willing to invest or provide advice,” Mina said.
For judges, the competition represents more than a showcase of student creativity. Donald Roomes, professor of international business, said entrepreneurship serves as a broader engine for societal progress.
“Entrepreneurship is really the catalyst to development in any society,” Roomes said, noting that new ventures create solutions communities depend on and help move society forward.
He added that competitions like “From Idea to Impact” help students refine assumptions, validate markets and avoid scaling too quickly, a common mistake among first-time founders.
“The biggest error is really growing too fast,” Roomes said. “You’ve got to take your time, go with the process, and let the numbers guide you.”
By pairing funding with structured mentorship and real-world pitching experience, FIU’s Blackstone LaunchPad initiative aims to transform classroom ideas into viable ventures.
For Fotochi’s founders, the competition marked both a milestone and a beginning — proof that student innovation at FIU really moves from concept to impact.