[{"id":586,"date":"2026-04-07T19:23:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T19:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/?p=586"},"modified":"2026-04-07T19:23:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T19:23:04","slug":"demo-day-spotlight-spencer-strebe-and-clear-ballot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/demo-day-spotlight-spencer-strebe-and-clear-ballot\/","title":{"rendered":"Demo Day Spotlight: Spencer Strebe and Clear Ballot"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Spencer Strebe is a VCUarts student known for bold ideas and a creative spark that shows up every time he steps into the Shift Retail Lab. As a two time Shelfie alumnus, Spencer has built a reputation for bringing fresh and unexpected concepts to life. This year at Demo Day, he introduced a venture that aims to support something we all depend on: trustworthy and accessible election information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clear Ballot is Spencer\u2019s non partisan app designed to help voters cut through confusion and find reliable candidate and election details. The idea grew from a simple observation that navigating ballots and understanding candidates often feels overwhelming. Spencer saw an opportunity to create a tool that empowers voters with clarity, accuracy, and ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His Demo Day pitch highlighted the importance of informed voting and the need for tools that support civic participation. His ability to connect a community problem to a thoughtful digital solution resonated with the audience and judges alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Demo Day, Spencer was honored with the CyberinnoVatioN Award sponsored by the CCI Central Virginia Node, a recognition that celebrates innovation and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What comes next for Clear Ballot? Spencer plans to use his award to further develop the app, strengthen its data sourcing, and build partnerships that ensure voters have dependable information at their fingertips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Apply to pitch at Demo Day<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Spencer Strebe is a VCUarts student known for bold ideas and a creative spark that shows up every time he steps into the Shift Retail Lab. As a two time Shelfie alumnus, Spencer has built a reputation for bringing fresh and unexpected concepts to life. This year at Demo Day, he introduced a venture that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2346,"featured_media":587,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,9,6],"class_list":["post-586","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","tag-shift-retail-lab","tag-student-feature","tag-vcu-demo-day"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/586","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2346"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=586"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/586\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=586"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":593,"date":"2026-04-07T19:22:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T19:22:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/?p=593"},"modified":"2026-04-07T19:22:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T19:22:47","slug":"demo-day-spotlight-natalia-rooks-and-tati-tortillas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/demo-day-spotlight-natalia-rooks-and-tati-tortillas\/","title":{"rendered":"Demo Day Spotlight: Natalia Rooks and Tati Tortillas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tati Tortillas not only taste good – it does good. VCU School of Business student, Natalia Rooks, started the idea for Tati Tortillas with one simple mission: to bring delicious, authentic tortillas to the United States. Natalia first joined the Shelfie program in the Spring of 2025 to start testing her idea, \u201cI lived abroad in 5 countries. Tortillas are the heart of daily life in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico\u2019s main cities\u2014fresh, warm, and made with care on every street corner. In the U.S., store-bought tortillas don\u2019t capture that same authenticity, flavor, or tradition. My mission is to bring the joy of real, fresh tortillas to American tables, sharing the culture, craftsmanship, and rich heritage that make them so special.\u201d In the Shelfie Program, she was able to test her concept, prototype her business, and further refine her brand. With this experience under her belt, she pitched Tati Tortillas at the Shift Retail Lab Spring Demo Day, and won the Early Stage Category Judge\u2019s Choice Award as well as the Food and Beverage Award! But she didn\u2019t stop there\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Fall of 2025, Natalia rejoined the Shelfie Program. This time, she was ready to grow the mission of Tati Tortillas. \u201cBeyond food, a portion of our efforts will directly support the Tati Foundation, a nonprofit working to empower Latino communities in the U.S., ensuring real celebration of Latino culture here in the U.S.,\u201d said Natalia about the next phase of her business idea. Furthermore, her concept included using artwork by Latino artists on the packaging of her tortillas to promote the cultures she\u2019s representing. With the help of a group of da Vinci Center Communications interns, she was able to narrow down her branding, and brainstorm the structure of her packaging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Natalia pitched Tati Tortillas again at two Fall Feedback Friday events, and won two more awards! She also went on to compete at the Shift Retail Lab Fall Demo Day and won the Early Stage Category Judge\u2019s Choice Award for the second semester in a row. \u201cNatalia has an incredible entrepreneurial spirit. She\u2019s hardworking, understands the problem she\u2019s trying to solve, and loves to collaborate with the people around her. It\u2019s been a joy to watch her idea develop and grow,\u201d said Ashley Wenger, Shift Retail Lab and Shelfie Program Manager, \u201cWith the number of awards she\u2019s won so far, she\u2019ll need to start a business bank account!\u201d We can\u2019t wait for the day that we can find Tati Tortillas in stores!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Apply to pitch at Demo Day<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tati Tortillas not only taste good – it does good. VCU School of Business student, Natalia Rooks, started the idea for Tati Tortillas with one simple mission: to bring delicious, authentic tortillas to the United States. Natalia first joined the Shelfie program in the Spring of 2025 to start testing her idea, \u201cI lived abroad […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2346,"featured_media":594,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,9,6],"class_list":["post-593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","tag-shift-retail-lab","tag-student-feature","tag-vcu-demo-day"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2346"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=593"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/593\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/594"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":589,"date":"2026-04-07T19:22:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T19:22:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/?p=589"},"modified":"2026-04-07T19:22:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T19:22:35","slug":"demo-day-spotlight-kendall-liverpool-and-the-ballad-of-a-senior-hawkeye","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/demo-day-spotlight-kendall-liverpool-and-the-ballad-of-a-senior-hawkeye\/","title":{"rendered":"Demo Day Spotlight: Kendall Liverpool and The Ballad of a Senior Hawkeye"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kendall Liverpool is a VCUarts student whose creativity shines not only through visual work but also through storytelling. At this year\u2019s Demo Day, he introduced The Ballad of a Senior Hawkeye, a novel crafted by a rising author with a clear voice and a strong sense of character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His project brings readers into the world of a young protagonist navigating identity, growth, and the challenges that shape the path into adulthood. Kendall\u2019s focus on emotional depth and narrative detail gives the story a vivid presence, reflecting his dedication to writing that feels both personal and universal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During Demo Day, Kendall delivered a memorable pitch that highlighted the heart behind his work and the importance of stories that reflect real experiences. His ability to communicate the power of his narrative resonated strongly with both judges and attendees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kendall was honored with the Judge\u2019s Choice Award for his compelling storytelling and his promise as an emerging author.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What comes next for The Ballad of a Senior Hawkeye? Kendall plans to continue refining his manuscript, expand his readership, and explore opportunities to bring his novel to publication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Apply to pitch at Demo Day<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kendall Liverpool is a VCUarts student whose creativity shines not only through visual work but also through storytelling. At this year\u2019s Demo Day, he introduced The Ballad of a Senior Hawkeye, a novel crafted by a rising author with a clear voice and a strong sense of character. His project brings readers into the world […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2346,"featured_media":590,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,9,6],"class_list":["post-589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","tag-shift-retail-lab","tag-student-feature","tag-vcu-demo-day"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/589","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2346"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=589"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/589\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/590"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=589"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=589"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=589"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":570,"date":"2026-03-30T20:21:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T20:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/?p=570"},"modified":"2026-03-31T14:01:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T14:01:57","slug":"demo-day-spotlight-justin-samson-and-radlabs-deeprunai-labs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/demo-day-spotlight-justin-samson-and-radlabs-deeprunai-labs\/","title":{"rendered":"Demo Day Spotlight: Justin Samson and RADLabs (DeepRunAI Labs)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Justin Samson is a VCU College of Humanities and Sciences student with a growing passion for\u00a0 cybersecurity and a commitment to building tools that keep people and systems safe. At Demo Day last fall, he introduced RADLabs DeepRunAI Labs, a venture focused on creating AI driven protection for modern cybersecurity challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Justin\u2019s concept centers on using advanced artificial intelligence to detect threats faster, respond more accurately, and reduce the vulnerabilities that organizations face in an increasingly complex digital landscape. He identified the need for systems that adapt in real time and offer stronger, smarter security without adding unnecessary complexity for users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Demo Day, Justin delivered a focused and energetic pitch that demonstrated both his technical understanding and his vision for the future of cybersecurity. His ability to translate a highly technical idea into a clear, accessible solution made a strong impression on judges and attendees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Justin was recognized with the CyberinnoVatioN Award sponsored by the CCI Central Virginia Node, highlighting his potential to push forward innovation in cybersecurity technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What comes next for ADLabs DeepRunAI Labs? Justin plans to refine his system architecture, expand testing, and explore partnerships that can help bring his AI driven security tools closer to real world deployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Justin pitched at Demo Day and walked away with funding and support. You can too! Demo Day returns on April 17, and applications are now open. Apply today to share your venture and compete for funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Apply to pitch at Demo Day<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Justin Samson is a VCU College of Humanities and Sciences student with a growing passion for\u00a0 cybersecurity and a commitment to building tools that keep people and systems safe. At Demo Day last fall, he introduced RADLabs DeepRunAI Labs, a venture focused on creating AI driven protection for modern cybersecurity challenges. Justin\u2019s concept centers on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2240,"featured_media":572,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,6],"class_list":["post-570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","tag-shift-retail-lab","tag-vcu-demo-day"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/570","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2240"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=570"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/570\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/572"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=570"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=570"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=570"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":598,"date":"2026-03-30T20:20:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T20:20:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/?p=598"},"modified":"2026-03-30T20:20:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T20:20:31","slug":"demo-day-spotlight-gabby-reed-carlock-and-giddi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/demo-day-spotlight-gabby-reed-carlock-and-giddi\/","title":{"rendered":"Demo Day Spotlight: Gabby Reed-Carlock and Giddi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Gabby Reed-Carlock originally developed the idea for her app, Giddi, as part of a first-year VCU Brandcenter course taught by KT Schaeffer. The assignment was to address a need or pain point that they noticed, and develop a product or service to solve that problem. Gabby and her group addressed the question that, on average, takes anyone 14 minutes to answer: where are we going to eat? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giddi helps indecisive eaters overcome mealtime anxiety by eliminating decision paralysis. The app is designed to consider users\u2019 preferences, such as type of meal and dietary restrictions, as well as their location, to determine viable food choices in their area. Gabby\u2019s personal passion for supporting small businesses also informed the app’s design, ensuring that local restaurants are promoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After doing customer discovery, working on the branding, and creating the UX design for the app, Gabby was ready to take Giddi to the next level. One year after first conceptualizing Giddi at Brandcenter, she applied for the Shift Retail Lab Fall 2025 Demo Day. Gabby competed against six other pre-launch category ventures, and won the People\u2019s Choice Award for her category. \u201cI think what made Gabby\u2019s pitch stand out was her understanding of her user and their pain points, and being able to convey that to the audience. Just like with design thinking, The Brandcenter teaches students how to empathize with their clients and customers, and solve problems with them, not just for them. That really came through in Gabby\u2019s pitch,\u201d said Ashley Wenger, Program Manager for the Shift Retail Lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s next for Giddi? Gabby plans to put her Demo Day award money to marketing initiatives, contract development, and mentorship opportunities to help launch Giddi by Spring 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Apply to pitch at Demo Day<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gabby Reed-Carlock originally developed the idea for her app, Giddi, as part of a first-year VCU Brandcenter course taught by KT Schaeffer. The assignment was to address a need or pain point that they noticed, and develop a product or service to solve that problem. Gabby and her group addressed the question that, on average, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2346,"featured_media":599,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,9,6],"class_list":["post-598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","tag-shift-retail-lab","tag-student-feature","tag-vcu-demo-day"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/598","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2346"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=598"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/598\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/599"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":584,"date":"2026-03-23T16:18:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T16:18:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/?p=584"},"modified":"2026-03-23T16:18:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T16:18:44","slug":"demo-day-spotlight-alex-croce-and-high-g-brain-strain-platform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/demo-day-spotlight-alex-croce-and-high-g-brain-strain-platform\/","title":{"rendered":"Demo Day Spotlight: Alex Croce and High G Brain Strain Platform"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alex Croce is a VCU College of Engineering student with a passion for tackling problems that others rarely think about. At this year\u2019s Demo Day, he introduced the High G Brain Strain Platform, a venture designed to support people who regularly experience high g force in flight, training, and specialized environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The platform aims to help users better understand and manage the cognitive and physiological strain that comes with high g exposure. Alex identified a clear gap in accessible tools that track these effects in real time and translate them into insights that improve safety and performance. His engineering perspective and human centered approach shaped a concept that is both innovative and deeply practical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During Demo Day, Alex delivered a compelling pitch that spotlighted why better monitoring and understanding of high g strain matters for pilots, aerospace trainees, and others working in extreme conditions. His ability to articulate a complex challenge and present a straightforward, meaningful solution resonated strongly with the audience and judges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alex was awarded the CyberinnoVatioN Award sponsored by the CCI Central Virginia Node, recognizing his vision for advancing technology in ways that make a tangible difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What comes next for the High G Brain Strain Platform? Alex plans to build a stronger prototype, refine his data approach, and explore partnerships that can help bring his platform into real world testing and application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Apply to pitch at Demo Day<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Alex Croce is a VCU College of Engineering student with a passion for tackling problems that others rarely think about. At this year\u2019s Demo Day, he introduced the High G Brain Strain Platform, a venture designed to support people who regularly experience high g force in flight, training, and specialized environments. The platform aims to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2346,"featured_media":585,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,6],"class_list":["post-584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","tag-shift-retail-lab","tag-vcu-demo-day"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2346"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=584"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/584\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/585"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=584"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=584"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":580,"date":"2026-03-11T13:56:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T13:56:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/?p=580"},"modified":"2026-03-11T13:58:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T13:58:09","slug":"demo-day-spotlight-frances-odoi-and-cocogin-llc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/demo-day-spotlight-frances-odoi-and-cocogin-llc\/","title":{"rendered":"Demo Day Spotlight: Frances Odoi and CoCoGin LLC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Frances Odoi is a VCU alum, a Shelfie Program alum, and a valued community member whose passion for fresh, natural ingredients led her to create CoCoGin, a juice and beverage brand centered on clean flavors and nourishing blends. At this year\u2019s Demo Day, Frances introduced CoCoGin with a clear mission to offer drinks that taste good, feel good, and support everyday wellness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CoCoGin draws inspiration from simple ingredients and thoughtful preparation, bringing forward beverages that celebrate freshness without unnecessary additives. Frances shared her belief that great flavor comes from quality sourcing and intention, a message that immediately connected with the Demo Day audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Her pitch stood out for its clarity, authenticity, and strong vision for the future of the brand. Frances communicated not only the product, but the purpose behind it, which resonated strongly with both judges and attendees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frances received two honors at Demo Day. She was awarded the Judge\u2019s Choice Award for her compelling presentation and brand vision. She also received the Capital One Award, recognizing the promise and potential of CoCoGin as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What comes next for CoCoGin? Frances plans to expand her product offerings, refine her production process, and explore partnerships that can help bring her fresh, natural beverages to a wider community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Apply to pitch at Demo Day<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Frances Odoi is a VCU alum, a Shelfie Program alum, and a valued community member whose passion for fresh, natural ingredients led her to create CoCoGin, a juice and beverage brand centered on clean flavors and nourishing blends. At this year\u2019s Demo Day, Frances introduced CoCoGin with a clear mission to offer drinks that taste […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2346,"featured_media":583,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,6],"class_list":["post-580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","tag-shift-retail-lab","tag-vcu-demo-day"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/580","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2346"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=580"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/580\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/583"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=580"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=580"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=580"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":563,"date":"2026-01-12T19:57:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T19:57:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/?p=563"},"modified":"2026-02-24T19:00:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T19:00:21","slug":"demo-day-spotlight-malique-middleton-and-gewd-ag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/demo-day-spotlight-malique-middleton-and-gewd-ag\/","title":{"rendered":"Demo Day Spotlight: Malique Middleton and Gewd Ag"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Malique Middleton is a VCU MPI alum and a multi cohort Shelfie Program alum whose work centers on food access, community knowledge, and empowerment. At last fall\u2019s Demo Day, Malique presented Gewd Ag, a food focused venture built to help people grow their own food and reconnect with where it comes from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gewd Ag was created in response to a growing challenge. Many people, especially those living in cities, want to grow their own food but do not know where to start or how to scale their efforts. Malique saw an opportunity to close that gap by offering hands on support that makes food growing more accessible and achievable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through Gewd Ag, Malique provides garden and agricultural coaching, consultations, and fractional farm management services. His work supports individuals, families, and organizations looking to increase food access, build sustainable growing practices, and gain confidence in cultivating their own food. His audience spans anyone interested in growing food, from first time gardeners to those ready to expand their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to Gewd Ag, Malique also leads Gewd Botanicals<\/a>, a wellness focused brand rooted in natural ingredients and community inspired care. Together, these ventures reflect Malique\u2019s commitment to holistic well being and long term community impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At last fall\u2019s Demo Day, Malique shared a clear and compelling vision for how empowering people to grow their own food can strengthen communities and increase food access overall. His message resonated with the audience, highlighting the importance of education, support, and shared knowledge in building a more resilient food system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What comes next for Gewd Ag? Malique plans to continue expanding his coaching services, deepen partnerships within the community, and grow both Gewd Ag and Gewd Botanicals as tools for education, wellness, and empowerment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malique pitched at Demo Day and walked away with funding and support. You can too. Demo Day returns on April 17, and applications are now open. Apply today to share your venture and compete for funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Apply to Pitch at Demo Day<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Malique Middleton is a VCU MPI alum and a multi cohort Shelfie Program alum whose work centers on food access, community knowledge, and empowerment. At last fall\u2019s Demo Day, Malique presented Gewd Ag, a food focused venture built to help people grow their own food and reconnect with where it comes from. Gewd Ag was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2240,"featured_media":568,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,9,6],"class_list":["post-563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","tag-shift-retail-lab","tag-student-feature","tag-vcu-demo-day"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2240"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=563"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/563\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":558,"date":"2025-12-05T18:17:04","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T18:17:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/?p=558"},"modified":"2025-12-05T18:17:06","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T18:17:06","slug":"shelfie-holiday-gift-guide-fall-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/davinci\/shelfie-holiday-gift-guide-fall-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Shelfie Holiday Gift Guide Fall 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is that time of the year again, when we all start searching for gifts that feel personal, joyful, and a little more meaningful. This season, we are putting the spotlight on our Shelfies and the creative ventures they are building. Every purchase not only gives someone you love a unique gift, it also directly supports the students, alumni, and makers in our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide is your chance to shop small, support the Shelfies directly, and find gifts that feel thoughtful instead of last minute.\u00a0 Below are Shops founded by Sheflie\u2019s that deserve a place on your holiday shopping list! Happy gifting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HeadSwap: The Gift That Guarantees a Laugh<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have ever wanted to put your best friend\u2019s head on Grandma\u2019s body, this is your moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Head Swap turns photos of friends and family into a hilarious set of custom cutout heads that attach with magnets or reusable glue dots. Mix and match endlessly for instant inside jokes and ridiculous family portraits. It is the kind of gift people talk about long after the holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Head Kit, 20 dollars<\/strong>
<\/strong>Includes 10 custom magnetic head cutouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full Kit, 40 dollars<\/strong>
<\/strong>Includes 10 custom magnetic cutouts plus a custom 12×14 inch magnetic photo collage background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Order your kit here and see what happens when your Bestie becomes Grandma:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Explore HeadSwap<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cork and Courier: A Wine Gift Box Curated to Delight<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the person who loves good wine, Cork and Courier has created limited edition holiday gift boxes made specifically for gifting. Each box includes thoughtfully selected bottles that feel elevated without feeling intimidating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shelfie readers get 10 percent off with code SHELFIE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Browse the holiday gift boxes here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Explore Reserve Holiday Boxes<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Explore Classic Holiday Boxes<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uncle Johns Bakery: Homemade Magnets With Heart<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Uncle Johns Bakery offers handmade magnets that are bright, fun, and perfect for stocking stuffers or small add ons. Each purchase supports a mission centered around community and inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Explore the magnets here<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mapulder: Colorful Clothing Inspired by Tradition<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mapulder creates clothing designed to help you look fabulous while staying comfortable and connected to nature. Their pieces blend traditional hand block techniques with modern styles, giving you a wardrobe addition that feels timeless and vibrant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each item is selected by their design team to brighten your life, inspire joy, and bring you closer to your inner peace. Everything is created with love, care, and a commitment to helping you make new memories with the people you cherish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Explore Mapulder<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gewd Botanicals: Skincare Rooted in Nature<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GEWD Botanicals creates plant powered skincare products that focus on nourishment, simplicity, and intention. Their collection includes soothing body care items that make perfect gifts for friends, family, and anyone who could use a little self care this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each product is crafted with natural ingredients and a mission to help people feel good in their skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Explore Gewd Botanicals<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CoCoGin Juices: Nourish Your Body With Flavor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CocoGin Juices offers fresh, nutrient rich juices crafted to fuel your day with clean ingredients and bold, refreshing flavor. Whether you are shopping for someone on a wellness journey or looking for something energizing to bring to a holiday gathering, their blends make a thoughtful and health centered gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore their juices and gift options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Explore CoCoGin <\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dragon\u2019s Tooth Bakery: Magical Treats for Every Sweet Tooth<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dragon\u2019s Tooth Bakery offers whimsical, freshly baked treats that feel handmade, heartfelt, and perfect for holiday gifting. Whether you are shopping for coworkers, friends, or the dessert lover in your life, their boxes and seasonal items add a little magic to every celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Explore Dragon’s Tooth Bakery<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chaotic Good Tempeh: Plant Based Protein With Personality<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chaotic Good Tempeh crafts small batch, boldly flavored tempeh designed to make plant based eating exciting. Their products are perfect for food lovers who enjoy experimenting in the kitchen or want a fresh, unique gift for the home cooks on their list. It is handmade, high protein, and full of character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore their offerings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Explore Chaotic Good Tempeh<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to Launch Your Own Venture This Spring? Apply to Become a Shelfie <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have a product idea, a small business you want to grow, or a creative venture waiting to come to life, the Shelfie program is the place to start. Spring applications are open, and we are looking for students, alumni, and community members who want support, mentorship, and a creative space to bring their ideas to market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start your application and learn how to join the next Shelfie cohort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Apply Today<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Spring Start Dates: January 31st, February 28th, and March 28th<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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